Meridian Early Childhood Center

October 30, 2020 Dear Mustang Families, This school year has presented all of us with some unique challenges, and I’m very proud of how our students and staff have responded. Our return to in-person learning has been successful. At the same time, the amount of COVID-19 cases in the community continues to increase and it is having a significant impact within our schools. We have had to quarantine well over 100 students and staff to date and closed multiple classrooms due to students and staff who have been required to quarantine. Thankfully, we have managed this very well with the support of the Midland County Department of Public Health. However, this has placed an extra burden on students, families, and staff who have been directly impacted. We are doing our best to support students while they are quarantined, but this is proving to be challenging due to the number of students and staff impacted. Due to these circumstances, I am making a change to the school calendar. Students will not report to school on Friday, November 13th. Students will be assigned remote learning for that half-day. This will allow school staff to be provided with additional training on supporting students who are not in school for an extended period. We will also use this day to do an extended deep cleaning of all of our buildings. I want to continue to emphasize that the choices that are being made, especially small group gatherings, are having a great impact on the community spread of COVID-19. Schools in the county remain very safe as there has only been one outbreak traced back to a school setting. The one thing that we really need help with is to have those that are exhibiting symptoms to remain home. While we have heard about many symptoms such as fever, dry cough, and the loss of smell or taste, there are some less obvious symptoms such as a runny nose. While I understand that staying home with mild symptoms such as a runny nose goes against what many of us think we should do, this is contributing to the increase in numbers. The conversation around whether or not schools may close is certainly one that I’m well aware of. We are committed to remaining in-person and have the support of the health department. It is a certainty that students and staff will continue to be quarantined and that classrooms and/or grade levels may need to learn remotely for a period of time, so please bear with us as we work through those issues. Perhaps the biggest current threat to in-person learning is staffing levels as there is a shortage of subs for teaching, transportation, and cleaning. All decisions will continue to be made on a case-by-case basis in order to do what is best for students and staff. Yours in Education, Craig D. Carmoney

Calling your child's school? To reach the main office, call the numbers below: Meridian Early College High School: 989-687-3300 Meridian Junior High School: 989-687-3360 Meridian Elementary School: 989-687-3500 Meridian Early Childhood Center: 989-687-3455 Meridian Transportation: 989-687-3249

REMINDER: Childcare schedules are due by 6:00 pm tonight!

Meridian Public Schools is excited to announce that per a USDA Ruling, effective immediately ALL students enrolled at Meridian Public Schools will receive FREE Breakfast and FREE Lunch through December 31, 2020 or until USDA funding runs out. Please contact Food Service Director Melissa Gohl at melissa.gohl@merps.org or 989-687-3212 if you have any questions.

Good Morning, We are asking families to please fill out the form attached, so that we can have accurate information out to everyone regarding bus stop times. Please make sure to fill out the form before Sunday, August 16th. Thank you Transportation Information Update: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSei5LNlS1qlVw-TvIZPwzGuCEgNE8fCJEcU42zfH3fcD_nsLQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

Parents: Today Governor Whitmer issued Executive Order 2020-164 requiring all persons ages 4 and up to wear a face covering that covers the nose and mouth beginning Monday, August 10, 2020. Children under the age of four are strongly encouraged to wear a face covering, but are not required. Children ages 4-11 will need to wear a face covering in the Office, the hallways, and the Gym. Please see the chart below which helps to break down these new requirements. Please contact Julie if you have any questions!

Good Evening Mustangs, Thank you to those who attended our Virtual Academy Webinar yesterday. To find all of the information discussed, the presentation, information on how to sign up, and a recording of the webinar, please go to www.merps.org and click on MENU and Meridian Virtual Academy. Thank you Meridian Public Schools Staff

Good Morning, ​ The Sanford-Meridian Flood Relief Fund was designed to assist our students and their families affected by the recent flood. The Sanford-Meridian Disaster Relief Committee consists of several community members and agency representatives. Together the committee is working to distribute resources to residents in the Sanford-Meridian community whose livelihood and primary homes have been impacted by the 2020 flood and dam breach. The information you provide will be reviewed and used by the committee to help distribute financial support by means of a $500 in-store voucher for eligible primary households in the Sanford-Meridian community. Applications are due by Wednesday, August 5th at 3 PM. PLEASE NOTE: SUBMIT ONLY ONE APPLICATION PER HOUSEHOLD. Apply here: https://bit.ly/merpsrelief2​ Thank you

Unfortunately due to a loss of power, we will be CLOSED on Monday, 7-20-20. We expect to be able to reopen on Tuesday, 7-21-20. We are so sorry for this inconvenience.

July 15, 2020 Dear Meridian Mustang Families: The last few months have been very difficult for our community as we have faced the challenges of both COVID-19 and dam failure. No one could have predicted either of these events or provided guidance on how schools, families, and communities should respond. We are now asked to tackle the task of rebuilding our community and coming up with plans to return to learning this fall. There is still a tremendous amount of uncertainty as we head into the 2020-2021 school year. We face additional uncertainty due to the potential loss of students as a result of the flood and the certain loss of state funding due to COVID-19 that may result in historically large cuts in school funding. Fortunately, we are well-positioned to overcome these challenges. We will continue to support our students with one-to-one technology, provide free internet services, and be a statewide leader in education. On June 30th, the Return to School Advisory Council issued the 2020-21 Return to School Roadmap. The Roadmap provides schools with requirements and recommendations for returning to school depending on which MI Safe Start Phase the region is in (currently Phase 4). · Phases 1-3-Schools are closed for in-person instruction · Phase 4-In-person instruction is permitted with required safety protocols · Phase 5-In-person instruction with minimal safety protocols Schools are required to develop plans for each of these three phases which must be approved by the Board of Education by August 17, 2020. Superintendents have agreed to work cooperatively, and in consultation with county health department officials, to develop common plans. Those plans will include in-person instruction, a hybrid model, and virtual learning options. Meridian Public Schools will do everything in our power to return to in-person instruction in the fall with appropriate safety protocols. We know that this is the best option for learning. After what this community has endured, we know that our students need to return to school and have a sense of normalcy. They need to be surrounded by the familiar faces of their classmates and teachers. We know that many of our children are still suffering from trauma as a result of our community tragedy. School and normalcy is more important than ever for these children. We will also be offering a hybrid model in the event that we move between phases or are required to close due to illness or other issues that are outside of our control. The hybrid model will be similar to what occurred this spring. This will allow us the best return to in-person instruction with the least amount of interruption. The last option that we will be offering is a virtual learning option. This will be a K-12 available to all children. We will be hosting a virtual webinar on August 4, 2020, for those who are interested in learning more about this option. The registration link is: https://tinyurl.com/merpsvirtual There is still a lot of work and planning that will occur over the next few weeks, so more detailed information will be coming. Please know that many of the choices will not be within the control of local schools and both public and private schools within each region will be required to follow the Return to School Roadmap. Educating our children will bring us new challenges in the upcoming months, but the Meridian staff will ensure that learning and safety are always the priorities. Sincerely, Craig D. Carmoney

We will be OPEN tomorrow, Friday 5-29. If you haven’t turned in your child’s schedule for next week, please email it to Julie.sheets@merps.org as soon as possible!

Childcare Parents: We are CLOSED for Thursday, May 28th. We have lost power again due to a small fire on Irish St. The current Consumers estimate is Friday morning for restoration. We are so sorry for this inconvenience and we will let you know about Friday as soon as we make a decision! *note-meal pickups will still take place out of the Sanford Elementary Gym from 3-6 tomorrow afternoon*

Impacted or helping with flood relief efforts? @DwynesDreamTeam is offering a drive-through gumbo lunch TODAY at 12pm at @ The Red Oak in Sanford! (Please note location change) Thanks to @UnitedWayofMidlandCounty for connecting us with them. #LiveUnited #SanfordStrong

We are going to be restarting our food program effective Thursday May 28th. We will no longer be offering delivery due to the current road conditions, we apologize for the inconvenience this may cause. Please complete this new form even if you have signed up in the past. Summer Meal Program Sign Up bit.ly/summermeals1 We have new times and locations to choose from; this form must be completed by Wednesday noon to be eligible to pick up 7 days worth of meals on Thursday, the 28th. Thank you for your understanding and patience as we get started up again.

Impacted or helping with flood relief efforts? @DwynesDreamTeam is offering a drive-through Jambalaya dinner tonight at 6pm at @MeridianJuniorHigh and a gumbo lunch tomorrow at 12pm at @CleftoftheRock. Thanks to @UnitedWayofMidlandCounty for connecting us with them. #LiveUnited #SanfordStrong

Help Sanford-Edenville-Beaverton-Greater Midland Area Clean Up All volunteers looking to assist with the flood cleanup in Sanford, Edenville, and Beaverton areas should report to the United Way volunteer check in center everyday between 9AM-4PM. Volunteers will be given a cleanup site to fit their time, ability and focus! Additional volunteer check in locations have been added to support the impacted surrounding communities. New Check in locations: Meridian Elementary School 3353 N. Meridian Rd Sanford, MI Cleft of the Rock Church 2575 N. W. River Rd Sanford, MI Village of Sanford locations: 28 W. Saginaw Road Sanford, MI Intersection of Center and Oak Want to help but not sure where to go? Need information on how to help? Text UWS to 31996 to receive information on where to volunteer and resources available!

Help Sanford Clean Up All volunteers looking to assist with the flood cleanup in the greater Sanford area should report to United Way volunteer check ins everyday between 9a-5p. Volunteers will be given a cleanup site to fit their time, ability, and focus! Check In Locations: Pharmacy Parking Lot 28 W. Saginaw Rd Intersection of Center & Oak Want to help but not sure where to go? Want information pertinent to volunteers? Text UWS to 31996 to receive information on where to volunteer and resources available!

Residents of the greater Sanford area: We have created a hotline if you are looking to report a need for volunteer assistance at your home! If you need help with damage, debris removal, or general clean up, you can call (989) 495-2284. Please note the call center is staffed from 8a-5p, but answering service is monitored 24 hours a day. We look forward to serving you!

Looking to sign up for the meal program? Sign up at bit.ly/merpsmeals. If you have already signed up, we have you on the list. This is for new families. Registration for meals is open Friday 8am through Sunday at noon.

Parents, don't forget we have a Little Free Library that is open and stocked if you need some new books to read with your children:)