Dear Community,
Recent developments in the spread of the Covid-19 virus has prompted Washtenaw County Public Health to alter its guidance on school closures. Honey Creek Community School will be closed starting on Friday, March 13th and plans to reopen on Monday April 6rd. During this time, teachers will provide resources for students to keep up their skills; however, we will not be providing formal online instruction.
As the timing off this email is later than I had hoped, I will open the school for parents and students to retrieve personal items on Friday morning from 7:45 until noon. Base class teachers will be available to assist.
Here is the latest guidance from Washtenaw County Health:
Typically, closures or cancellations would be based on confirmed local cases or possible exposure. While we do not have evidence of cases or possible spread locally, the Health Department is recommending strong, preventive actions for everyone. Governor Whitmer announced community mitigation recommendations for individuals, facilities, schools, workplaces, community organizations, and other mass events late yesterday. We fully support the Governor’s recommendations and encourage local individuals and entities to implement them or take additional steps, as is feasible. The Governor’s recommendations include:
- Cancel or postpone events with more than 100 people in a shared space.
- For organizations that serve high-risk communities, cancel gatherings of more than 10 people whenever possible.
- Individuals at risk of severe illness should stay at home as much as possible and keep away from others who are sick.
- Workplaces should encourage staff to tele-work when feasible, particularly individuals at risk of severe illness. Employers should also limit large work-related gatherings and limit non-essential work travel.
- Implement social distancing measures as feasible, including limiting in-person meetings.
Here is the link to the entire update: https://www.washtenaw.org/3095/COVID-19
- The Talent Show has been postponed.
- During this closure students/families will not have access to the building. Any articles in lockers or classrooms that students will need should be taken home tomorrow morning between 7:45 and noon.
- Teachers will have access to the building to take care of classroom pets and prepare for resumption of classes.
- Staff will be available by email though responses may be delayed.
- There will be a Board meeting on March 25 at 5:30 pm in the AB conference room at Willow Run Middle School.
- Due to this closure, we may need to reschedule conferences.
- We will assess afterschool programs and adjust schedules as needed once we return.
- As updates occur, I will send out an email to the community.
During the closure, Ypsilanti community School’s facilities department will conduct a full sanitation of the facility.
Information about COVID-19 can be found at the following:
https://www.michigan.gov/Coronavirus
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
https://www.washtenaw.org/3095/COVID-19
I appreciate your support during this rapidly changing event.
Be safe and healthy,
Al
