On Monday, August 10 the Board of Education approved a plan for all Dearborn Public School students to return to school on-line. Students from kindergarten through high school will take classes online at least until sometime around the beginning of October. Some teachers and staff will be in the buildings on a rotating basis. Parents and students will be able to make appointments with teachers if there are academic concerns, technology issues, or other concerns. The board will reevaluate conditions later in September to see if it is possible for some or all students to begin returning to their classrooms perhaps in a blended model of in-class and on-line learning.
The District understands there are parents who want their children in a 100% virtual learning program no matter what phase the State is in or how other students in the District are attending school. For the parents who want a 100% on-line option for the entire school year, the school district has created the Dearborn Virtual Learning Program for students K-12. Parents selecting this option are opting their children into the program for a one-year commitment.
Staff at William Ford will be on hand (social distancing, limited numbers, and masks will be enforced) on Wednesday, August 12th from 9:00-3:00 to meet with parents. If you have children at different grade levels and buildings, you do not need to attend meetings at multiple schools. Opt-in forms will be available and parents can opt-in all their children at one location.
In order to meet staffing, transportation, and several other components of our new school environment, it is vitally important to know how many students will join the Virtual Program. Parents seeking more information and/or are interested in opting their child(ren) into this program are highly encouraged to visit our school on date and time. Here is a link to the complete schedule of schools and meetings.
If you are not comfortable meeting in a safe environment at the school or are unable to attend on one of the scheduled days, please call or email the school 313-827-6400 or higgind@dearbornschools.org so we may discuss this option and begin the opt-in process for your children.
We understand there are many questions, concerns, and uncertainties as we approach the start of the school year. Our Back to School Reopen Committee has spent many hours considering all of the health, safety, logistical, and educational concerns before making their recommendations. Our Board spent many hours reviewing those recommendations including a six hour Study Session to hear from the various sub-committees and stakeholders. We are now ready to move forward, together, to ensure what will be an interesting, but great, start to the 2020-21 school year.
