Marion Public Schools

K-6 Parents: Please join us outside tomorrow evening for open house tomorrow, August 19th, from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Marion Elementary School. Our teachers and other departments will have tables set up at safe distances around our playground. This is a chance to meet your child's new teacher and to receive crucial information and paperwork. Please be advised that the playground equipment cannot be utilized during open house. If parents cannot make it tomorrow, please call your child's school to make arrangements to receive the paperwork. See you tomorrow!!!

Back to School Supply Drive Marion Jr./Sr. High School

Ladies and Gentlemen: Just a reminder and a link to tonight's Board of Education Meeting: meet.google.com/fit-btuf-gqu Due to government restrictions, the Board will meet face to face, but all attendees must be virtual. Thank You!

Dear Staff, Please check your email for details for our opening day on Wednesday. Looking forward to seeing you then!

Ladies and Gentlemen: There will be more information coming soon, but in the meantime, here are some links to the virtual platforms we will use if school becomes closed, or beginning September 2nd for those opting for a virtual only option. I am so proud of the district's wise choices. These short videos will shed some light on the programs, but know this: REAL MARION TEACHERS will be "behind the screen" for both of our platforms. The same teachers you know and love will be able to add as much of their personal curriculum(s) and teaching style to each lesson. We are prepared to go face-to-face, but if circumstances force virtual only, we feel we have the ultimate virtual system in place. Grades K-8 will use Pearson Realize, and grades 9-12 will use Michigan Virtual: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnSJRGmSt08 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vx-RVUULUNE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpGWsjcLZIM&t=6s https://michiganvirtual.org/why-mv/our-course-difference/

MHSAA Moves Football to Spring 2021 The Michigan High School Athletic Association and its Representative Council announced at 4 pm today (August 14, 2020) that its fall 2020 football season has been moved to spring 2021, citing football's higher risk for spreading COVID-19. All other fall sports will proceed as scheduled. Details for the spring football season will be announced in the upcoming months.

We are excited to welcome you back face-to-face. Please join us on Wednesday, August 19th for our open house. Students will be able to meet their teachers and get their class schedules. K-6th grade will be from 5:30-6:30 at the elementary; 7th-8th grade will be from 3:30-4:30 at the high school (on the track); 9th-12th grade will be from 4:30-5:30 (on the track). We will be glad to discuss our back to school plan and answer any questions you may have. We will be practicing social distancing during this event.

Middle school football will begin Monday, August 24th at 6 PM. Bring a water bottle and the MHSAA Health Questionnaire. If your athlete did not have a physical last year, he/she will need a completed one before practicing. GO EAGLES!

Ladies and Gentlemen, Here's a link to our Reopening Plan: https://5il.co/jgz8 It should also appear at the top of our district website in a few moments. Stay tuned for even more in depth information about how our virtual only platforms will operate. I am hopeful I can get those posted and supported with an automated text to all parents by the end of tomorrow afternoon. Thank You, Chris Arrington

Calling all JUNIORS of 20/21!! MPACT is a student led group that drives a lot in our school. The junior class is currently unrepresented. Who amongst you is willing and passionate about deciding what goes on at MHS. Please email Ms. Baker, Mrs. Deighton or Mrs. Louwers ASAP! We believe in the leader in YOU!

Ladies and Gentlemen: I am hoping to get our Reopening Plan Posted later today and some other crucial communications as well. In the meantime check out this AMAZING SEEDS STORY!!!! MARION IN THE HOUSE!!! https://www.learningtogive.org/news/seeds-students-learning-about-water-testing

Ladies and Gentlemen: Please be advised tomorrow evening's Board of Education Meeting will be held virtually. Here's a link for those who want to attend: meet.google.com/way-omjr-nye

High school football, volleyball, cross country and sideline cheer begin next week! Football--Monday, August 10th from 5-8 PM. Volleyball--Thursday, August 14th at 3:30 PM at the park. Cross Country --Wednesday, August 12th at 8 AM. Sideline cheer--Wednesday, August 12th at 10 AM. In order to participate ALL athletes must have a physical on file in the high school office (last year's will suffice) AND a MHSAA Sports Health Questionnaire. This is a new form for 2020-2021 athletes. All forms are available in the high school office. More information to come regarding the start of middle school sports. GO EAGLES!!!

Ladies and Gentlemen: Our district reopening plan is done in draft form. Pending board approval on August 11th, we fully expect to back the starting date of this school year to SEPTEMBER 2nd, 2020. This will allow our entire staff to be highly trained on all safety protocols as well as our new virtual instruction programs. WE WILL HAVE A GREAT SCHOOL YEAR NO MATTER WHAT! The plan must be posted on the our website by August 17th, however we will post it sooner if conditions allow. Feel free to email me directly if you have questions: carrington@marion.k12.mi.us Thank You, Chris Arrington

Time for Tech upgrades!! To the students who currently have a district Chromebooks at home:  Our tech department is preparing to do a maintenance check/update and sanitize your Chromebook for use this school year. Please return this device on Tuesday, Aug  11 between the hours of 9:00 to 3:00 OR on Wednesday Aug. 12 between 3:30-7:00 PM. All devices (k-12 grade levels) should be returned to the elementary office at the elementary school.  If these times do not work with your schedule, please call 743-2836 and press extension 1 (central office). DON'T forget your charger (and your headphones and mouse, elementary students)!

Ladies and Gentlemen: Here's a link to tonight's Board of Education meeting. Due to government restrictions, the Board will meet face to face, but all others will have to join virtually. The meeting starts at 6 p.m. Thank You. meet.google.com/wiq-iyrn-jwy

Worried about daycare for your child this fall? Don't worry! Marion Public Schools is partnering with a Marion grad and resident, Amber Gauge to host a daycare option for parents this fall. Right now, licensing with the state of Michigan is being wrapped up. Contact information, programming options, and pricing details to come soon. Please share this out! Stay Tuned!!!

Ladies and Gentlemen: I just wanted to provide an update to our students, families, and stakeholders on our return to school on August 24th. The district received news today that will allow us to offer EVERY KIND OF LEARNING for your children by the first day of school! You want a virtual experience only for child? WE WILL HAVE THAT! Virtual learning not your cup of tea? WE WILL HAVE COURSES AND CURRICULUM PLATFORMS THAT CAN BE TAUGHT FACE TO FACE! Do you find value in both of those platforms during this pandemic? OUR COURSES AND CURRICULUM ARE DESIGNED TO BE DELIVERED IN PERSON WHEN YOU WANT, AND VIRTUALLY WHEN YOU DON'T!!!!!!!!!! Our technical plan is not done yet, and frankly so many things are moving so fast, things change daily. Today's news is definitely going to drive our official plan. Thank you for your patience, but in the meantime know that Marion Public Schools will offer parents choices and peace of mind. Please know our teachers are awesome! They are helping choose the best platforms and are willing to get training between now and the first day of school to be skilled using the tools! Thank You, Chris Arrington

Ladies and Gentlemen: Please be advised the Board of Education will hold a Special Meeting at 6 p.m. Due to restrictions, all who wish to attend mist do so virtually. Here is a link for those interested: https://meet.google.com/ewx-piws-hqp

Please visit us at our website www.cmdhd.org Main Office 2012 E Preston Ave. Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858 Administration 989-773-5921 FAX: Dear Parent/Guardian, July 24, 2020 An attendee of the Marion High School Graduation Friday, July 17th was likely contagious with COVID-19. We are recommending that everyone that attended the graduation monitor themselves for COVID-19 and follow COVID-19 prevention methods very closely until July 31st. The virus that causes COVID-19 is spread most commonly from person to person, through respiratory droplets made when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. It spreads easiest when people are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet for at least 15 minutes). You can also get COVID-19 by having direct physical contact with someone that is infected, like touching, hugging, or kissing, as well as sharing eating or drinking utensils. It may also be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes. Once infected, illness begins within 2 to 14 days. We ask that you help protect your family and your community from this disease by taking the following steps: • Watch for symptoms of COVID-19 illness, which are fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, or diarrhea. o It is recommended you get tested for COVID-19 if you do get symptoms. You can 211 or go to www.michigan.gov/coronavirustest for testing locations. • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially before eating, after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. o If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. • Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Stay home if you are sick. • Avoid gathering in groups, stay at least 2 arms’ length (about 6 feet) apart from others, and stay out of crowded areas. • Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others. • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or the inside of your elbow when you cough or sneeze. • Clean and disinfect surfaces that are touched often at least once a day. It is important to continue to do all of these things until COVID-19 is out of our communities for good. If you have any questions or concerns, please call our Coronavirus message center at 989-773-5921, ext. 1444. Your call will be returned as soon as possible. More information can also be found at: www.cmdhd.org/novel-coronavirus and www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.