The end of the school year doesn’t have to be a let-down.

Many 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.

Face masks will be required to be worn inside all Plymouth-Canton Community Schools district buildings until at least Oct. 31, 2021.

Allen Park’s public school district has adopted a universal masking policy for the upcoming school year amid the ongoing pandemic.

Face masks will be required to be worn inside all Dearborn Public Schools buildings at least until Oct. 1, 2021.

All students attending Warren Consolidated Schools (WCS) this fall will be required to wear face masks as COVID-19 continues to spread throughout Metro Detroit and Michigan.

A new poll by the University of Michigan reveals what parents around the country are worried about heading into the 2021-2022 school year.

“Back to school” is going to mean something a little different for each community this year, and experts say it’s important to prepare for what that will look like for your family.

Students at Chippewa Valley Schools will not be required to wear face masks when heading back to the classroom this fall.

The decision by the Grosse Pointe Public Schools to start the school year with masks optional has parents divided.

LANSING, Mich. – The battle to provide education for all during the COVID-19 pandemic continues to become more and more complicated. READ: Return To SchoolState superintendent Dr. Michael Rice called on the state Legislature to extend the school year Tuesday for students to make up for the lost time. “This school year, in and of itself, can’t even last five minutes longer,” said Paula Herbart, the president of the Michigan Education Association. Students need a break.”It’s undeniable that the 2019-20 and 2020-21 school years have exhausted teachers. Detroit Public Schools Community District superintendent Dr. Nikolai Vitti said he can’t realistically extend the school year, but he can expand learning opportunities in every neighborhood.

LANSING, Mich. – Testifying in front of a joint committee of the state Legislature, state superintendent Dr. Michael Rice advocated for increasing the number of required school days, which currently stands at 180 days. We’re gonna have to make sure we extend the time for the purpose of competency and ensure our children are on the right level,” said Detroit school board member Sherry Gay-Dagnogo. Michigan health department launches program offering weekly COVID testing to educatorsThe Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) said it is moving forward with offering a voluntary COVID-19 testing program to educators. Officials said the MI Safe Schools Testing Program, which began Tuesday, will provide weekly tests for educators at private and public schools. Gretchen Whitmer pushed for schools to resume in-person learning by March 1.