Temporary Shift to Virtual Learning HMS & HHS
Jan. 12, 2022
Dear Parents and Staff of Holly Area Schools,
I am sending this communication to update our families on the situation we are currently facing with student and staff absences. This has been a difficult week for families and staff as we have experienced a significant increase in COVID-related absences, with the greatest numbers at the high school and middle school.
In the past couple of days, both the middle school and high school experienced absences of over 25% of their instructional staff, which has also resulted in many unfilled positions. At the same time, both buildings had over 25% of students absent, which puts those buildings at risk for being unable to count those days for attendance with the Michigan Department of Education.
Due to the current and anticipated staffing shortages, Holly High School and Holly Middle School will shift to virtual learning Friday, Jan. 14, through Friday, Jan. 21 with a return to In-Person on Monday, January 24th. At this time, all athletics and extracurricular activities will continue as scheduled.
As a reminder, school is closed on Monday, Jan. 17, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Our high school and middle school students will attend their classes remotely and follow their normal daily schedule during this temporary shift to virtual learning. Building principals will send a communication tomorrow to families with additional reminders for students and families to best prepare for this temporary transition. In addition, there will be a communication regarding access to “Grab & Go” meals.
As our families know, our commitment has been to support in-person learning. Our staff knows the value of in-person learning and we will exhaust all options to keep our doors open. At the same time, there is a breaking point when we can no longer support the unfilled staffing vacancies with other staff. We appreciate the support and understanding from our families, and we do not take these difficult decisions lightly. We appreciate the incredible work of our staff, which has allowed us to stay open for in-person learning since the start of the school year. We also want our parents to know we will continue to assess the number of absences and our continued capacity to fill vacancies at our four elementary school buildings.
If your child becomes COVID positive, please report your case to the school so we can continue to track absences. We are hopeful this temporary shift to virtual learning, combined with new guidance received from the Oakland County Health Division late yesterday, will soon decrease the number of absences going forward.
Thank you for your continued understanding, flexibility and support. The health, safety and security of our students, staff and families remains our number one priority. I want to again thank our families for their continued support in helping us provide a safe, nurturing learning environment for all Bronchos.
Working together, we are #BronchosUnited.
Sincerely,
Scott Roper, Superintendent
Holly Area Schools
Letter to Families Jan 12 2022