Dear Families,
I hope you are having an enjoyable summer. As we continue preparing for a new school year, I wanted to update you relative to our planning process. To that end, I am sharing an abbreviated version of our 2021/22 Back to School FAQ in this update. For the complete FAQ, click here.
As we head into the new school year, please take a moment to review and update your child’s information in PowerSchool. The directions on how to update your child’s information can be found at https://bit.ly/3xUATU0. Additionally, if your child will not be returning to Howell Public Schools, please contact our district registrar at 517.548.6232 so we can update our records.
General Information
When does the school year start?
Our first day of school is Wednesday, August 18, 2021. The full 2021/22 school year calendar can be viewed at https://bit.ly/3wm9lWw.
What will our instructional model look like?
All students will attend in-person school five days a week. In addition, Highlander Virtual will be provided for those students who selected this option in the spring.
When are the Back to School Open Houses and Orientations?
Elementary Open Houses are scheduled for Monday, August 16, 2021 and Middle and High School Orientations are scheduled for the week of August 9, 2021. Additional information will be provided by your child’s school.
COVID-19 & Communicable Disease Protocols
As you know, we implemented a number of COVID-19 mitigation measures last school year pursuant to the MDHHS orders as well as through our partnership with the Livingston County Health Department. Having provided in-person school for nearly the entire school year, we have the unique ability to reflect on our experiences to determine our best path forward for the 2021/22 school year. The following questions/answers are most frequently asked:
Are face masks required?
No. Face masks are not required.
Will students be required to be tested for COVID-19?
No. The MDHHS and the MHSAA lifted all testing requirements on June 22, 2021.
Will my child be required to be vaccinated in order to attend school?
No. The COVID-19 vaccine is not listed on the MDHHS School Required Vaccination List. The Livingston County Health Department strongly recommends that all eligible students, teachers, staff, and household members get the COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible when supported by their medical advisor. Moreover, please keep in mind that the key strategy for uninterrupted learning is through achieving high levels of COVID-19 vaccination within our community.
Will student contact tracing and quarantines continue?
Schools are required to report communicable diseases to their local health department. Probable or positive COVID-19 cases will be reported to the Livingston County Health Department following public health laws. When there is a positive or probable case, an exposure letter will be sent home just as we do with other communicable diseases. We are still awaiting detailed guidance regarding contact tracing and quarantine protocols from the Livingston County Health Department, and we will review this when it becomes available.
Again, for the complete 2021/22 Back to School FAQ, click here. We will update this as new information is made available. In addition, the county educational leaders have been collaborating throughout the summer to develop a consistent framework for the 2021/22 school year relative to COVID-19 health protocols. To view the communication from the county educational leaders, click here.
As always, I appreciate your support and partnership on behalf of our children, and I look forward to a wonderful school year. I hope you enjoy the remainder of your summer.
Sincerely,
Erin J. MacGregor, Ed.S.
Superintendent
Howell Public Schools
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