INSIDER
District: 92% of Detroit public school students ready to return to in-person classes
Read full article: District: 92% of Detroit public school students ready to return to in-person classesOfficials with the Detroit Public Schools Community District said 92% of students have already returned their consent forms to show theyโre ready to return to in-person classes.
Warren Consolidated Schools offers students free COVID tests as omicron variant spreads
Read full article: Warren Consolidated Schools offers students free COVID tests as omicron variant spreadsWhile most Metro Detroit students have already returned from Winter break, Wednesday marks the first day back for Warren Consolidated schools.
Some Metro Detroit school districts forced to cut bus routes amid shortage of drivers
Read full article: Some Metro Detroit school districts forced to cut bus routes amid shortage of driversWorker shortages are creating a threat to in-person learning as school districts across the nation struggle to get students to school because of a bus driver shortage.
Metro Detroit school districts struggle to feed students amid global supply chain shortage
Read full article: Metro Detroit school districts struggle to feed students amid global supply chain shortageYou have likely noticed more empty shelves at the grocery store. Now the supple chain problems the country has been experiencing during the pandemic are impacting local school districts and their ability to feed students.
Michigan data shows schools are leading source of new COVID cases
Read full article: Michigan data shows schools are leading source of new COVID casesโWeโre engaged in a trade-off right now,โ Dr. Navin said. โWe know that school is good for kids, we know COVID is bad for kids and weโve decided that a little bit of COVID is the price worth paying to have kids in school.โ
Washtenaw County Health Department: School emergency orders still in effect
Read full article: Washtenaw County Health Department: School emergency orders still in effectOn Thursday, the Washtenaw County Health Department released a statement about the legality of its emergency orders for educational settings.
Clintondale Community Schools sends all 8th grade students home after teacher tests positive for COVID
Read full article: Clintondale Community Schools sends all 8th grade students home after teacher tests positive for COVIDOn Tuesday, a school district sent an entire grade level home because of exposure to one teacher.
Eastpointe Middle School students return to in-person learning after staffing shortage
Read full article: Eastpointe Middle School students return to in-person learning after staffing shortageA staff shortage had Eastpointe Middle School turning to virtual learning last week, but the students have since been able to return to the classroom.
Michigan health group pushes for statewide school mask mandate after officials threatened
Read full article: Michigan health group pushes for statewide school mask mandate after officials threatenedThe Michigan Association for Local Public Health believes the pandemic is bringing the worst out of people when it comes to making threats against health and school officials over mask wearing.
Hundreds gather in support of Oakland County school board president ousted due to mask controversy
Read full article: Hundreds gather in support of Oakland County school board president ousted due to mask controversyParents and students showed up at Fridayโs Bloomfield Hills High School football game with shirts and signs in support of former board president Paul Kolin.
Bloomfield Hills School Board president ousted after mask list controversy
Read full article: Bloomfield Hills School Board president ousted after mask list controversyโThe goal is to stop this and stop sending it out on social media things that can be considered a hate crime,โ Kolin said. โI stand by what I did.โ
First lady Jill Biden visits Royal Oak on stop during Return to School Road Trip
Read full article: First lady Jill Biden visits Royal Oak on stop during Return to School Road TripFirst lady Dr. Jill Biden made a stop in Royal Oak to bring education into the national spotlight. The stop was part of her Return to School Road Trip.
Macomb County parents call for transparency in school outbreak reporting
Read full article: Macomb County parents call for transparency in school outbreak reportingA local parent organization is pressuring Macomb County health officials to provide more details for COVID-19 school numbers in the area.
โPut the data out thereโ: Macomb County parents call for transparency in school COVID outbreak reporting
Read full article: โPut the data out thereโ: Macomb County parents call for transparency in school COVID outbreak reportingA local parent organization is pressuring Macomb County health officials to provide more details for COVID-19 school numbers in the area.
โPut the data out thereโ: Macomb County parents call for transparency in school COVID outbreak reporting
Read full article: โPut the data out thereโ: Macomb County parents call for transparency in school COVID outbreak reportingA local parent organization is pressuring Macomb County health officials to provide more details for COVID-19 school numbers in the area.
Negotiations over COVID-19, teachers and sick days in Michigan continue
Read full article: Negotiations over COVID-19, teachers and sick days in Michigan continueIf youโre a teacher in many districts your sick time is judged by whether or not you are vaccinated, what the big teacherโs union has to say about that and it might not be what you think.
WSU issues flu vaccine mandate for students, faculty and staff with Oct. 20 deadline
Read full article: WSU issues flu vaccine mandate for students, faculty and staff with Oct. 20 deadlineWayne State University in Detroit has issued a flu vaccine mandate for all students, faculty and staff who will be on campus any day during the fall and winter semesters.
Detroit schools look to hire amid shortage of of security guards
Read full article: Detroit schools look to hire amid shortage of of security guardsโItโs a great opportunity for those that want to make a difference in our schools and support our students,โ said superintendent Dr. Nikolai Vitti.
Second largest school district in US issues vaccine mandate for students -- Will Detroit schools follow suit?
Read full article: Second largest school district in US issues vaccine mandate for students -- Will Detroit schools follow suit?Conversations about vaccines, masks and other protocols will likely be a main focus during the entire 2021-22 school year.
Viral video shows maskless students protesting mandate outside Washtenaw County high school
Read full article: Viral video shows maskless students protesting mandate outside Washtenaw County high schoolA video shows parents in Washtenaw County urging their kids to ignore their high schoolโs mask mandate and enter the school.
Metro Detroit schools face support staff shortages as classes begin
Read full article: Metro Detroit schools face support staff shortages as classes beginMany Metro Detroit schools are kicking off the academic year this week, and operations will look different for many -- and not just because of COVID-related protocols.
Returning to school: Parents, students excited despite uncertainty about upcoming academic year
Read full article: Returning to school: Parents, students excited despite uncertainty about upcoming academic yearThousands of students in Metro Detroit are returning back to school Tuesday amid uncertainty about the upcoming school year.
โWe should do better togetherโ -- Metro Detroit parents of children with disabilities push for more COVID mitigation
Read full article: โWe should do better togetherโ -- Metro Detroit parents of children with disabilities push for more COVID mitigationOver the course of the COVID pandemic, people with disabilities have been some of the most at-risk and often the least protected from a virus that is more likely to kill them.
Plymouth-Canton Community Schools faces school bus driver shortage, some routes suspended
Read full article: Plymouth-Canton Community Schools faces school bus driver shortage, some routes suspendedIn order to attract credentialed bus drivers, Durham School Services is offering a $1,000 signing bonus for drivers who possess a CDL license and a $500 bonus for those without credentials.
Detroit teachers raise concerns after COVID outbreak in football team
Read full article: Detroit teachers raise concerns after COVID outbreak in football teamAn outbreak at Renaissance High School within the football team has caused concern among some Detroit Public Schools Community District teachers.
Oakland University faculty could strike if deal is not reached by midnight deadline
Read full article: Oakland University faculty could strike if deal is not reached by midnight deadlineWith hours away from classes starting at Oakland University, faculty and administration cannot hammer out a new contract Wednesday night.
School district in Dearborn Heights focuses on teaching students how to socialize in person
Read full article: School district in Dearborn Heights focuses on teaching students how to socialize in personThere are some unconventional innovations as students head back to the classroom after a year of virtual learning.
Grosse Ile Township Schools suspends general education transportation after sudden resignation of drivers
Read full article: Grosse Ile Township Schools suspends general education transportation after sudden resignation of driversThe sudden resignation of two bus drivers has forced Grosse Ile Township Schools to eliminate general education transportation to start the year.
Parents divided over mask policy in Macomb County
Read full article: Parents divided over mask policy in Macomb CountyTuesday marks the return to school for thousands of children in Macomb County. Unlike neighboring Oakland and Wayne counties, there is no countywide mask mandate. Most districts have decided to make masks optional.
How Oakland University students are adjusting to universityโs COVID vaccine mandate
Read full article: How Oakland University students are adjusting to universityโs COVID vaccine mandateBecause students must be vaccinated to attend in-person classes, the university is also working to expand the number of on-line course offerings.
Experts say school bus driver shortage isnโt only impacting Michigan
Read full article: Experts say school bus driver shortage isnโt only impacting MichiganโBus drivers wantedโ signs have been popping up everywhere, making it clear that there is a need for school bus drivers ahead of the start of school.
Nonprofit to provide more than 1,000 back-to-school supplies for Metro Detroit students, COVID vaccinations
Read full article: Nonprofit to provide more than 1,000 back-to-school supplies for Metro Detroit students, COVID vaccinationsMostyn Community Development is providing more than 1,000 back-to-school supplies for Metro Detroit students, including 150 free basketballs donated by the Detroit Pistons
Clintondale superintendentโs mask mandate reversed by school board vote
Read full article: Clintondale superintendentโs mask mandate reversed by school board vote"The Boardโs decision to recommend masks for our students and staff was based solely on the CDCโs return-to-school guidelines, which is not a health mandate."
Wayne County senators pen letter to health department asking for school mask requirement
Read full article: Wayne County senators pen letter to health department asking for school mask requirementWayne County senators have sent a letter to the countyโs health director requesting an emergency health order to require masks be worn by staff and students in all public schools.
Mask mandate issued for Hartland elementary school following positive COVID tests
Read full article: Mask mandate issued for Hartland elementary school following positive COVID testsA Hartland elementary school has issued a mask mandate after several students have reportedly tested positive for COVID-19.
All private, public school students in Oakland County required to wear masks
Read full article: All private, public school students in Oakland County required to wear masksThe Oakland County Health Division issued an emergency health order Tuesday that requires all students and staff to wear masks when they return to school.
Eastern Michigan University requires weekly COVID testing for non-vaccinated students on campus
Read full article: Eastern Michigan University requires weekly COVID testing for non-vaccinated students on campusStarting Monday, unvaccinated students who attend at least one class with an on-campus component must undergo weekly COVID testing.
โWeโre still in a pandemicโ: Expert shares advice for helping children transition back to in-person learning
Read full article: โWeโre still in a pandemicโ: Expert shares advice for helping children transition back to in-person learningExperts have said the first step to creating a smooth transition for children to go back to school this year is to plan ahead and make sure you work together as a family.
Parents spar over masks at Utica Community Schools
Read full article: Parents spar over masks at Utica Community SchoolsUtica Community Schools is the largest school district in Macomb County and it is opting to start mask optional for fall semester. Superintendent Robert Monroe said it depends on parents and the choices they and their students make as to whether that can continue.
Study finds ways to mitigate COVID spread on school buses
Read full article: Study finds ways to mitigate COVID spread on school busesWith students returning to in-person learning this fall, yet another concern takes center stage: Are children likely to be exposed to COVID-19 while riding the school bus?
Wayne County Health Department issues COVID-19 public health advisory as fall semester approaches
Read full article: Wayne County Health Department issues COVID-19 public health advisory as fall semester approachesThe Wayne County Health Department has issued a new Public Health Advisory to all K-12 schools, public and private. According to the county, the move was made to help protect students and staff from the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The advisory is not a mandate, but makes strong recommendations on COVID-19 health protections school districts can follow.
Educators in Michigan prepare to combat learning loss as students return to the classroom
Read full article: Educators in Michigan prepare to combat learning loss as students return to the classroomSchool districts across Michigan are preparing for students to return to the classroom after the pandemic forced many to attend school virtually.
Back to school: Teachers share expectations for COVID school year ahead
Read full article: Back to school: Teachers share expectations for COVID school year aheadWith most students and educators returning to in-person learning this fall amid the ongoing pandemic, several questions still remain about how things will operate in the classroom.
Experts say parents should start preparing children for return to in-person learning
Read full article: Experts say parents should start preparing children for return to in-person learningAfter more than a year of virtual learning, some students are heading back to the classroom. Experts say that transition wonโt be easy for all children.
Michigan health department recommends universal masking in schools for beginning of 2021-22 school year
Read full article: Michigan health department recommends universal masking in schools for beginning of 2021-22 school yearโBecause many students have yet to be vaccinated and students under age 12 are not yet eligible, layered prevention measures, including universal masking, must be put in place for consistent in-person learning to keep kids, staff and families safe,โ reads a MDHHS release.
MDHHS โstrongly recommendsโ Michigan schools require universal masking when students return
Read full article: MDHHS โstrongly recommendsโ Michigan schools require universal masking when students returnMichigan health officials are strongly recommending schools to require universal masking when students return for in-person learning.
Michigan childhood vaccination rates low for back to school
Read full article: Michigan childhood vaccination rates low for back to schoolMichiganโs Chief Medical Officer Dr. Joneigh Khaldun joined forces with school officials Monday to call on parents before school starts to catch students up on childhood immunizations that were missed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Expert offers advice on the right way to โreturn to normalโ
Read full article: Expert offers advice on the right way to โreturn to normalโโThe brain canโt unknow something," Dr. Rockwell said. "We already know what happened last year, weโve already experienced that. We canโt go back to before.โ
Metro Detroit infectious disease specialist supports universal mask wearing in school
Read full article: Metro Detroit infectious disease specialist supports universal mask wearing in schoolThe American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that everyone over the age of 2 wear masks in school even if they are vaccinated.
Low vaccination rates could impact Detroit school funding
Read full article: Low vaccination rates could impact Detroit school fundingDetroit will see an increase in funding of about $27 million. That money could go a long way to help repair buildings, replace books and equipment and set the district on a better path forward.
Wave of superintendent retirements leave Metro Detroit school districts with leadership void
Read full article: Wave of superintendent retirements leave Metro Detroit school districts with leadership voidAs school districts across Metro Detroit work to normalize the learning experience for the 2021-22 school year, a concerning trend is developing.
Detroit Achievement Academy 8th graders surprised with acceptance letters to GVSU
Read full article: Detroit Achievement Academy 8th graders surprised with acceptance letters to GVSUThursday was the graduation for the Detroit Achievement Academyโs eighth graders and every student received a life-changing graduation gift.
More than $1 billion in federal funding to help Detroit Public Schools Community District get students safely into classrooms
Read full article: More than $1 billion in federal funding to help Detroit Public Schools Community District get students safely into classroomsThe district announced Thursday morning it will receive about $1.2 billion in federal funding.
Detroit Public Schools Community District to receive federal funding to help get students safely back into classrooms
Read full article: Detroit Public Schools Community District to receive federal funding to help get students safely back into classroomsThe district announced Thursday morning it will receive about $1.2 billion in federal funding.
Parents protest anonymous donor in Southfield offering free prom tickets for vaccinated students
Read full article: Parents protest anonymous donor in Southfield offering free prom tickets for vaccinated studentsA protest was held at Southfield High School Friday after an anonymous donor volunteered to buy prom tickets for vaccinated students.
Detroit Public Schools Community District: Schools can resume in-person learning May 24
Read full article: Detroit Public Schools Community District: Schools can resume in-person learning May 24Schools within the Detroit Public Schools Community District will be allowed to resume in-person learning starting Monday, May 24.
How will new CDC mask changes impact the risk for children under the age of 12?
Read full article: How will new CDC mask changes impact the risk for children under the age of 12?Children under 12 arenโt eligible to get vaccinated and likely wonโt be able to receive the shot for several months. That means families are facing a lot of difficult decisions about whatโs safe and what isnโt.