Because students must be vaccinated to attend in-person classes, the university is also working to expand the number of on-line course offerings.

It’s a struggle every day for every district -- how do local schools balance COVID safety and prevent panic from spreading when the inevitable case is reported? It’s a phone call that no parent wants to receive -- a confirmed case of coronavirus is at their child’s school. While his son is currently quarantined and that is unnerving, Mathis said he’s satisfied with how the Fraser Public School District is handing COVID for students in face-to-face learning. As of March 4, there are 11 cases of COVID throughout the district -- 11 teachers and nearly 150 students are quarantined. That’s less than 1% of the district with 70% of its students opting for five-days a week face-to-face learning.

Gretchen Whitmer has been vocal about her desire to see all school districts off some kind of in-person learning option by Monday. A group of parents spoke with Local 4 about what they think is best for their children. They acknowledged that Whitmer wanting to return to in-person learning by March 1 was a step in the right direction, but they still want her to do more. The parents are urging Whitmer to take more action while it still can be done. “We just need to get them back into what they’re used to and what’s been proven to be best for our children,” Miller said.

WAYNE COUNTY, Mich. – While many teachers are reluctant to return to the classroom for face-to-face education, one district has teachers ready, waiting and excited to return Monday. Wednesday was a big day for the Wayne-Westland Community School district. Of the nearly 1,700 teachers, drivers and staff -- everyone who wants a vaccine has gotten them. The district arranged for clinics set up just for school staff. More information on the district’s plans can be found on the Wayne-Westland Community School district website here.

DETROIT – School districts across Michigan are struggling to meet Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s target to return to in-person learning by March 1. Detroit Public Schools Community District Superintendent Dr. Nikolai Vitti said 10-20% of students have been absent since the COVID pandemic started. The Southfield Public School District, has been 100% since March and while recognizing the importance of bringing students back to their teachers, Dr. Jennifer Martin Green said the science dictates the district remain remote. Both districts believe vaccinations are a key part in getting students and teachers back in the classroom safely.

DETROIT – School officials said it’s simple -- cancelling in-person holiday gatherings greatly raises the odds of in-person learning in January. Multiple school districts across Metro Detroit returned elementary school to face-to-face education so that they can squeeze in a little in-person learning before winter break. Parents and teachers are split on the decision as COVID-19 cases continue to rise. READ: Tracking coronavirus cases, outbreaks in Michigan schoolsThe key to returning students to school safely rest with all of us, whether we have children or not. The leads to frustration for administrators and decision makers who are following the science.