Marion Public Schools

Here are a few more knowledge-gaining accomplishments! Keep it up!! Alyssa C. and Collin M., sixth graders, also completed their packets on 5 themes of geography; as well as Mackenzie S. in eighth grade. Mackenzie isn't just tackling geography because she also finished all 8 ReadWorks articles for her English teacher, Mrs. Louwers. That means she's read 2,500 words recently and you know what happens when you read...

Folks, Our friends at Osceola County Emergency Management have condensed a list of resources many might need to access. We are just trying to help them get this important information out. The following link should take you to the resources: https://local.nixle.com/alert/7910734/?sub_id=5196255 We hope everyone is safe and well!

Ladies and Gentlemen: I just received this official statement from Governor Whitmer's office: Please know we are working behind the scenes with the staff to help maintain the best school experience we can provide for our students during these troubled times. - Chris Arrington Governor Whitmer Signs Executive Order Suspending Face-to-Face Learning at K-12 Schools for Remainder of School Year Executive Order sets guidelines for remote learning, ensures teachers, school employees will be paid for remainder of school year LANSING, Mich. — Governor Gretchen Whitmer today signed Executive Order 2020-35, which orders all K-12 school buildings to close for the remainder of the school year — unless restrictions are lifted — and ensures continuing of learning by setting guidelines for remote learning. District facilities may be used by public school employees and contractors for the purposes of facilitating learning at a distance while also practicing social distancing. “My number one priority right now is protecting Michigan families from the spread of COVID-19. For the sake of our students, their families, and the more than 100,000 teachers and staff in our state, I have made the difficult decision to close our school facilities for the remainder of the school year,” Governor Whitmer said. “As a parent, I understand the challenge closing schools creates for parents and guardians across the state, which is why we are setting guidelines for schools to continue remote learning and ensuring parents have resources to continue their children’s education from the safety of their homes. There is no video chat or homework packet that can replace the value of a highly trained, experienced teacher working with students in a classroom, but we must continue to provide equitable educational opportunities for students during this public health crisis.” The Michigan Association of Intermediate School Administrators and the Michigan Council of Charter School Authorizers are currently developing a Continuity of Learning Plan template application for schools to utilize in order to create their localized plan. The application will be made available by April 3. District plans will need to detail how districts will provide opportunities for students to learn remotely and how schools will manage and monitor their progress. It will also provide information on how parents and guardians can learn more about the local plan. Each district must have its plan approved by their regional intermediate school district before being implemented. Public school academies must have their plans approved by their authorizer. Districts can also partner with one another to create joint plans. Every district’s plan will be different and will reflect what’s best and feasible for their community. A plan can include learning by any number of modes of instruction delivery, including a hybrid approach. However they are designed, districts must ensure their plans are appropriate, equitable and accessible for students and families. If the plan relies on some online instruction, the district should ensure every student who needs it has access to an appropriate device with an ability to connect to the internet. Students and families will not be penalized if they are unable to participate in their alternate learning plan. Schools should continue to provide mental health care services for students, to the extent possible, and should be ready and willing to help efforts to establish disaster relief childcare centers. School districts will also continue to provide meals for families who need them during the COVID-19 crisis. If any schools have unused personal protective equipment, cleaning supplies or other materials, they are allowed and encouraged to donate them to organizations that could put them to use. School districts will have the flexibility to adopt a balanced calendar for the 2019-2020 school year and/or to begin the 2020-2021 school year before Labor Day without having to seek additional approval. Teachers and school employees will be paid for the remainder of the school year. Student teachers will still be able to get a temporary certification and current teachers will still be able to get their certifications renewed, even if they can’t meet all the requirements due to COVID-19. All Michigan high school seniors will be given the opportunity to graduate this year so that they may make a successful postsecondary transition. Additionally, all standardized tests previously scheduled for the remainder of the school year, including the M-STEP and the SAT, will be canceled. There will be a date in October for rising high school seniors to take the SAT and for other high school students to take the PSAT. Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.

Dear Staff, The Governor is releasing a press release tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. I am sure it will be widely known by then, but I did want to share with you "in real time." It is anticipated she will not only cancel school for this year (June 30th), but a "plan" for how schools are to move forward. I hope you and your loved ones are well. Twitter: www.Twitter.com/MichStatePolice Facebook: www.Facebook.com/MichiganStatePolice

Some of Mr. Henderson’s second grade students were able to catch up today using Google Hangout to discuss what they have been up to and share their thoughts about the current environment. It was great for them to see friends but not a substitute for being with them in person. Stay positive Marion!

Missing You. https://youtu.be/mvlpOKh4cgU

Folks, A correction: The last post indicated an incorrect date for the next Board of Education Meeting. The meeting will take place April 14th @ 6:00 p.m. More information will follow as the date approaches. Thank you.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Please be advised the special board meeting scheduled for April 7th has been canceled. At this time, the meeting scheduled for April 15 will be taking place. The district will take appropriate steps to make sure public comment and attendance can take place virtually. Stay Safe and well!

Guess what? It's the students! For many of the posts you've seen congratulating students on recent accomplishments, you may be wondering: is it the parents? Is it the teachers? Where does their motivation come from? Two seventh graders, Hannah B. and Josh B., have been using Suite360 (aka marion360.org) to continue to learn about themselves and for themselves. They know the resource and they're using it, ACEING 3 lessons connected to social emotional learning called: Ways to Nurture My Creativity, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and My Parents Don't Like My Friends--Now What? We are so proud of students taking charge of their learning and showing nothing can stop them! Way to go Hannah and Josh!!

Here's some more learning going on in the world of MPS! Three sixth graders, Jennifer F., Jaden K., and Cayden M., have finished their 5 themes of Geography/Corona virus presentations! As well as eighth graders, Mackenzie S., and Alekz R., who have completed their American History packets in Mr. Mayer's classes.

Learning from K to 12! Mia Geer, senior at MHS, has completed all the Exit Target Tasks for the English novel, The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy! And 8th grader, Lila Krchmar, has completed her Spanish 1 verb conjugations slide show project. Way to go and que bueno!!! ♥️🦅🧠

Yay for two kindergarten students in Mrs. Henderson's class!! IXL is a new tool for this age group at this point in the school year and Jesie and Jackson are rocking it!!

Congratulations to Isabella N, who is a first grader, for mastering all of her addition math fact levels from A to Z using Rocket Math! Another Distance Learning Diva! Nice work, Isabella!! :)

K-6 students, IXL.com is now offering free access to science and social studies, as well as our subscription to math. Also, instead of playing video games why not learn how to create them using block coding. Check out hourofcode.com/us/ learn for some fun online activities.🖥👊

Just a reminder that Marion Public Schools will still be providing breakfast and lunch for all children 0-18. You do not have to attend Marion Public Schools to receive this benefit. The buses are still transporting the meals to the various locations, the Winterfield Township Hall, Redding Township Hall, Middle Branch Township Hall, Dighton Store and the Elementary parking lot between the hours of 11:30 until 1 p.m.

Another Distance Learning Progress Milestone Miss Mara Jolly recently completed her first study path in math using EdReady (a personalized tutorial program for 4th-12th grades). This is the first of three paths for eighth graders. Nice work, Mara, keep it up!!

SOME HAPPY NEWS! Congratulations to sixth grader, Cayden McCrimmon, who just completed all operations of math facts (that's multiplication, division, addition and subtraction) in Xtramath today while distance learning! Way to go, Cayden! We are proud of you!!

Folks, Please let us know if you are requesting a chromebook be assigned home to your currently enrolled student. As you know, there are not many folks able to work during shutdown, but all requests will be processed ASAP. Chromebooks can be picked up at Lunch drop-off locations, or with a specific request, we can even have one of our awesome drivers deliver one to your driveway! Please call the Elementary: 231-743-2486 ext.. 3, the MS/HS: 231-743-2486 ext. 2, or central office at 231-743-2486 ext. 1. Likewise, today we actually had a higher demand for lunches today than we had food to give out. Please call central office or email us at dsalis@marion.k12.mi.us if you desire lunch and were not able to access it. We have the ability to order more, but we really need your help so we can order ethically. Hang in there, Eagle Nation! Together we will prevail! - Chris Arrington, Superintendent

Ladies and Gentlemen, Today Governor Whitmer released an Executive Order entitled, Stay Home, Stay Safe. For our school, this order basically means we will extend our current operating plan at least one more week, which is now April 13th. We will continue with our current level of food delivery through at least April 13th. Our teachers and administrators have been pleased to hear from so many parents who want instructional resources sent home! Thank You! We fully realize many of our resources provided are electronic. We also realize not all students have a viable device at home. In the next few days, if your child needs a chromebook to access instructional resources, please call your child’s school to make arrangements for one to be sent home. We also realize internet access is a problem for a significant portion of our families. Therefore, it is uncertain if sending a chromebook home is helpful or not. If enough parents let us know a chromebook is helpful, this might give the district reason to consider assigning a school-owned chromebook to all currently enrolled students. Please let us know! Elementary: 231-743-6251 MS/HS: 231-743-2836 Stay Safe and Well, Chris Arrington

Marion Public Schools will continue to provide breakfast and lunch to any child 0-18 years of age AT NO COST. We have 5 stations for pick-up. Winterfield Township Hall, Middle Branch Township Hall, Redding Township Hall, Dighton Store and the Elementary School parking lot. Hours are from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. Monday thru Friday. You do not have to live in the Marion School District to take advantage of this opportunity.