Are you struggling with remote learning? MECHS is offering in-person tutoring support, Monday-Thursday, 8AM-3PM, to learners in grades 9-12th. Sign up to attend: tinyurl.com/mechssupport2
December 7, 2020
Dear Meridian Mustang Families:
We learned this afternoon the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services issued an extension of the pause for in-person learning for students in grades 9-12 and the continued stoppage in all athletic activities until at least December 20th. As such, students in grades 9-12 will return for in-person learning on Monday, January 4th.
As announced last week, students in grades K-8 will return to in-person learning on Wednesday, December 9th.
In conversation with the Midland County Department of Public Health this afternoon, our 3-week trend in Midland County continues to show a downward trajectory in the positivity rate. Thankfully, the spread that is taking place in communities is not taking place within schools. To date, there have been six outbreaks in schools in the county that have impacted 26 people and none of those have occurred in Meridian. The schools in the county will continue to work side-by-side with the health department and will continue to be aggressive with the quarantine protocols that have been very effective in limiting the spread of COVID-19 in schools. The quarantine period will follow the latest CDC guidance of 10 days with a possible return on day 11.
Your understanding is appreciated as we continue to make difficult decisions.
Sincerely,
Craig D. Carmoney
Mondays?!! MECHS learners, we got this!
IN-PERSON LEARNING RESUMES WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9th:
MECHS is excited to announce we will welcome back all face-to-face students to in-person learning on Wednesday, December 9th!
Remote learning will continue through Tuesday, December 8th. Attendance is expected at LIVE Zoom sessions on Monday, December 7th, with ECHO independent learning on Tuesday, December 8th.
While our plan is to return to in-person learning on Wednesday, December 9th, this date could change if the Department of Health and Human Services extends the current order which “paused” high school face-to-face learning on November 18th. Any communication regarding any calendar changes will be sent via email, website, Facebook, and a text message reminder.
You can view the MECHS letter HERE: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Jpucw40wRxcKaISVVcD4ohDxMH6Qh44YoZlDw2BWEBU/edit?usp=sharing
Learning at home can be challenging. Remember to set a schedule, build in breaks, and set a quiet space to work. MECHS is here to help! Make sure to check out tinyurl.com/mechsathome for resources.
Did you know splitting your screen can make learning virtually easier?
Visit https://www.lifewire.com/split-screens-in-windows-4160920 for step by step instructions or https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/how-to-split-your-screen-in-windows-10/ to watch a video.
MECHS is ready for a great day of learning!
MECHS Learning Schedule, Nov. 30-Dec.4:
Monday & Wednesday: LIVE Virtual Classes on Zoom. Find the schedule here: tinyurl.com/mechsphase3
Tues., Thurs., & Fri.: Independent Class work on ECHO
FIT/Support hours with Faculty
Mon-Thursday:
MECHS Office Hours: 8AM-3PM, by appointment
Internet Cafe: 8AM-3PM, in MECHS Commons. Free Wi-fi for any MECHS Learner.
REMINDER: Thanksgiving break begins Wednesday, 11.25-11.27. Learning resumes on Monday, Nov. 30 via Zoom, LIVE sessions.
MECHS Learning Schedule for Nov. 23-Nov. 27th
Monday: LIVE Virtual Class meetings.
You can view the class schedule here:
https://tinyurl.com/mechsphase3
MECHS Meal Pick Up, 4-6PM
Facebook Live with Mrs. Mager @5PM
Tuesday: Independent Class work on ECHO
Wednesday-Friday: No School, scheduled days off!
Office is also closed on these dates.
Internet Cafe is OPEN on Monday & Tuesday, 8AM-3PM this week in the MECHS Commons!
We are in this together! Please reach out with questions! MECHS staff and faculty stands ready to help!
REMINDER: MECHS 1/2 day of learning TOMORROW, Fri., Nov. 13, is remote, at home. MECHS learners should check and complete activities on ECHO.
All MECHS face to face learners are REQURED to attend a 10:30 LIVE Zoom Advisory meeting. Please check your ECHO Advisory agenda for this link.
Today is for our heroes! #ReachHigher
Do you have a veteran in your life who you would like to thank? Send their name to Sarah Rivard at sarah.rivard@merps.org today. #ReachHigher
Do you have a veteran in your life who you would like to thank? Send their name to Sarah Rivard at sarah.rivard@merps.org by Sunday, Nov. 8. #ReachHigher
MECHS Families and Community Supporters: As a school community, it is important to continue to improve our services and support. Your feedback is critical. Please consider taking our short Family/Community member survey here: https://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/4617922/School-Climate-Assessment-Instrument-for-Parents-and-Community-Members?ID=0018000000pYfL4AAK The survey should take approximately 20 minutes. Thank you for your continued partnership.
Day of the Dead or Día de Muertos is a holiday originating in Mexico that has spread throughout most of Latin American and parts of the United States in which people remember their family members who have passed away with ofrendas or offerings which include setting out pictures, flowers (marigolds to be exact), food, candles, and incense. This holiday is seen as a joyous occasion to remember their family and to celebrate their lives.
Students at Meridian Early College High School honored this holiday by building some of their own ofrendas and by putting together a scavenger hunt and trivia contest about the holiday for the whole school to participate in.
MECHS understands the importance of preparing individuals for life after high school. Check out the Building Trades program construction progress as they build a local residential home #reachhigher.
https://youtu.be/cF2wSliZ9Z4
Congratulations to Allison Sutton for being named a Heisman High School Scholarship 2020 School Winner! Ally is one of 3600 student-athletes throughout the country to be recognized as a School Winner out of thousands of applicants. TOMORROW, we will find out if Ally is named a STATE winner! The Heisman Memorial Trophy is annually awarded to the most outstanding college football player in the nation. The Heisman High School Scholarship presented by Acceptance Insurance extends the Heisman prestige to our nation’s most esteemed high school seniors by recognizing and rewarding outstanding scholar-athletes who understand that the most important victories not only happen on the field, but in their schools and communities. These remarkable young leaders set the example and make a game-changing difference every day, paving the way to greatness for everyone around them. Congratulations, Ally!
SENIOR AND 5TH YEAR FAMILIES:
We will be having two FAFSA nights in November. On Wednesday, Nov. 4 and Thursday Nov. 5, from 6-7:30 pm, you can come into the building to fill out your Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Staff and financial aid advisors will be here to assist you with the process and answer any questions. Both the student and parent will need to create an FSA ID. Check out this page to see what information you need in order to fill out the FAFSA: https://sites.google.com/merps.org/meridian-college-corner/fafsa?authuser=0
As this will be a socially distanced event, we will be limiting the number of families and ask that only the student and one parent attend. Please register using this link https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0d49a9ac22a5f4c70-fafsa
*Current 4th year seniors intending to stay for the Delta 5th year do not need to attend, as you will file the FAFSA NEXT YEAR
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