By Crystal Hayduk
When the Chelsea School District (CSD) Board of Education held its first virtual meeting on March 23 through Zoom, a virtual communication platform, they had planned to meet again on April 13.
At that time, it was hoped that classes would resume on April 6, following spring break. But as the number of COVID-19 cases in Michigan increased exponentially and new statewide guidelines went into effect, plans changed.
Superintendent Julie Helber said the district has traditionally held two meetings per month, although public schools are only required to hold one each month. Following Executive Order 2020-35, which closed school buildings for the remainder of the academic year, administrators and board members decided to hold only one meeting a month, placing only essential items on the agenda.
Priority items for inclusion on the board meeting agenda will include, but are not limited to, curriculum and technology purchases, policy suspensions resulting from COVID-19, and bond-related items. No special presentations will take place unless the information is crucial prior to board voting.
The school board’s next meeting is planned for 6:30 p.m. on April 27 using the Zoom Webinar platform. Future meetings are planned for May 18 and June 22.
Helber said the district is continuing with plans for the next phase of construction on the 500 building, which is expected to house robotics, engineering, and health sciences this fall. Although social distancing guidelines may delay the next phase, the district is hopeful the work will be completed before the school year begins. “However, we are making contingency plans in the event that this is not possible,” she said.
Despite fewer school board meetings, a great amount of work is being done within the district.
Meal distribution for families in need is planned for each Monday from 10 a.m. to noon at Chelsea High School (follow directional signs). The district has provided 5,000 meals since the week of March 16.
The district’s Continuity of Learning plan has been approved. Full implementation is scheduled to roll out on April 20. The district recognizes that both students and faculty have a variety of home circumstances that make virtual learning and teaching challenging.
“Balancing the academic and social and emotional focus will be imperative as we work through our new reality,” said Helber in her letter to families.
“We will continue to calibrate this effort based upon student, staff, and parent feedback. Please know we are all navigating this together. It is not going to be perfect, but please know we are all working hard to address the needs of all of our 2,400 students,” she said.
Because internet access difficulties are a reality for 40 percent of district families, wireless access points have been installed on the outside of school buildings. Additionally, hotspot jetpacks, with wireless access labeled “CSD Guest,” have been placed in Chelsea school buses that have been parked in several locations around the district: Marathon Gas Station, 4400 Clear Lake Road., Grass Lake; Chrysler Chelsea Proving Grounds, 3700 M-52, Chelsea; North Lake Party Store, 20941 N. Territorial Road in Lyndon Township, Chelsea; and Sylvan Township Hall, 18027 Old US-12, Chelsea.
The Chelsea Community Foundation has donated funds to purchase several more jetpack devices for deployment to areas in need, which have been ordered but not yet received. (Link to maps here: https://www.chelsea.k12.mi.us/info-tech/wifi-access-maps.)
Public wireless hotspots are also available at Lyndon, Lima, Sharon, and Sylvan Township Halls.
Families are encouraged to contact building principals or support specialists if they have any concerns about their student’s mental health or well-being. The district’s “Ask a Question” page can be utilized for other questions or concerns (https://www.chelsea.k12.mi.us/updates/ask-a-question).
In her letter to families, Helber said in part, “This new normal is not easy on any of us, but it is our current reality. As I watch our staff pull together to problem solve, support each other, and stay connected, I am powerfully reminded that the Chelsea School District is second to none. … This community is filled with caring and compassionate people. This district employs staff who care about one another, our students, and our Chelsea families. The staff in this district are resilient and put their hearts at the center of their work. … While the distance from each other may seem overwhelming, I believe that as we work through this challenge, it will only bring us closer together.”
For more information and the most recent information on district-related COVID-19 response, visit the CSD website at https://www.chelsea.k12.mi.us/updates.
