INSIDER
Concordia University reducing programs offered on Ann Arbor campus to cut costs
Read full article: Concordia University reducing programs offered on Ann Arbor campus to cut costsThe schoolโs Board of Regents gave its administration the go-ahead to adjust academic programs offered on the Ann Arbor campus after the end of the 2024-2025 school year.
Ann Arbor Public Schools to face โpainfulโ $25M budget cut
Read full article: Ann Arbor Public Schools to face โpainfulโ $25M budget cutA decrease of 1,123 students in four years, the addition of 480 staff over 10 years and Board of Education-approved raises for staff have all factored in โmulti-year budget shortfallsโ impacting the budget.
Three Ann Arbor public high schools named among best in Michigan
Read full article: Three Ann Arbor public high schools named among best in MichiganThe financial website recently released its list of โBest Public High Schools in Michiganโ for 2024 and put the Ann Arbor high schools in three of the top 10 spots.
Michigan public schools wonโt be given A-F grades anymore -- hereโs why
Read full article: Michigan public schools wonโt be given A-F grades anymore -- hereโs whyMichigan will ditch a system that gave A-through-F grades to public schools each year after state education officials called the system overly simplistic and a duplicate of federal requirements.
Students, parents outraged over โhomophobicโ email sent to Howell high schoolers
Read full article: Students, parents outraged over โhomophobicโ email sent to Howell high schoolersHundreds of Howell students received an email on Monday with a message that many within the community found homophobic.
Bipartisan Michigan group to urge $100M+ in school safety, mental health programs
Read full article: Bipartisan Michigan group to urge $100M+ in school safety, mental health programsA bipartisan group of lawmakers are expected to urge the state of Michigan spend more than $100 million on new mental health and safety programs for schools, according to a draft of recommendations obtained by Local 4.
Whatโs inside Michiganโs newly signed education budget, biggest in state history
Read full article: Whatโs inside Michiganโs newly signed education budget, biggest in state historyMichigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed the education budget on Thursday, which is the highest state per-pupil investment ever.
What to know about the OK2SAY tipline: How to report crimes, threats at Michigan schools
Read full article: What to know about the OK2SAY tipline: How to report crimes, threats at Michigan schoolsOK2SAY is available across Michigan for public and private schools in the state. Anybody can submit a confidential tip.
Metro Detroit superintendents make pivotal decisions about school closings as massive snowstorm nears
Read full article: Metro Detroit superintendents make pivotal decisions about school closings as massive snowstorm nearsThe concept of snow days has undoubtedly changed for many Michigan schools thanks to remote learning during the COVID pandemic.
Michigan Department of Health shortening isolation and quarantine guidance for K-12 schools
Read full article: Michigan Department of Health shortening isolation and quarantine guidance for K-12 schoolsThe new guidance from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says that you should isolate for five days if you test positive for COVID. Then, if you donโt have symptoms, you can return to school as long as you are wearing a well-fitted mask for six to 10 days.
Some Michigan schools expecting omicron surge go online, cancel classes
Read full article: Some Michigan schools expecting omicron surge go online, cancel classesThe continued rise in coronavirus cases across Michigan and an expected surge following Christmas and the New Year is extending the holiday break for some students.
Get Caught Up: Michigan officials urge schools to double-down on COVID precautions after holiday break
Read full article: Get Caught Up: Michigan officials urge schools to double-down on COVID precautions after holiday breakMichiganโs health department is urging Michigan schools to double-down on preventative measures to limit the spread of COVID-19 as students and staff return to buildings after the holiday break.
MDHHS to Michigan schools: More COVID action needed as students, staff return after break
Read full article: MDHHS to Michigan schools: More COVID action needed as students, staff return after breakMichiganโs health department is urging Michigan schools to double-down on preventative measures to limit the spread of COVID-19 as students and staff return to buildings after the holiday break.
Michigan Gov. Whitmer signs bill so non-teaching staff can work as subs
Read full article: Michigan Gov. Whitmer signs bill so non-teaching staff can work as subsMichigan public schools can use non-teaching staff as substitute teachers the rest of the academic year under a law designed to address a shortage during the coronavirus pandemic.
Brighton school board debates mandatory masks in schools as COVID surges across Michigan
Read full article: Brighton school board debates mandatory masks in schools as COVID surges across MichiganThe school board of Brighton Area Schools entertained a mask mandate to be implemented by the superintendent when there is a higher risk of transmission of COVID.
15-year-old Monroe student arrested for threatening shooting at 2 high schools to get day off
Read full article: 15-year-old Monroe student arrested for threatening shooting at 2 high schools to get day offA 15-year-old Monroe Public Schools student has been arrested for posting threats directed at two high schools in an attempt to have classes cancelled, police said.
Michigan updates COVID-19 quarantine guidelines for schools
Read full article: Michigan updates COVID-19 quarantine guidelines for schoolsMichiganโs health department issued updated quarantine guidelines for schools to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 as cases rise, especially among young residents.
โIt is ridiculousโ: Sheriff condemns dozens of school threats following Oxford High School shooting
Read full article: โIt is ridiculousโ: Sheriff condemns dozens of school threats following Oxford High School shootingThe Oakland County sheriff issued a stern warning Thursday after dozens of school threats were made in the wake of Tuesdayโs shooting at Oxford High School.
Some SE Michigan schools temporarily close following Oxford High School shooting
Read full article: Some SE Michigan schools temporarily close following Oxford High School shootingFollowing the devastating Oxford High School shooting earlier this week, several schools across Southeast Michigan are increasing police presence or temporarily closing their buildings as they deal with their own threats.
โNot too badโ: Nick Monacelli test drives Utica school bus amid driver shortage
Read full article: โNot too badโ: Nick Monacelli test drives Utica school bus amid driver shortageLocal 4โฒs Nick Monacelli teamed up with Utica Community Schools (UCS) to test drive one of their buses -- and he found that it wasnโt too difficult.
Michigan Board of Education memberโs comments draw ire from teachers union president: โThis seems really, really pettyโ
Read full article: Michigan Board of Education memberโs comments draw ire from teachers union president: โThis seems really, really pettyโThe struggle to find and retain teachers is one of the topics at the Michigan State Board of Education meeting.
Data shows Michigan schools without mask mandates saw 62% more coronavirus spread
Read full article: Data shows Michigan schools without mask mandates saw 62% more coronavirus spreadAs the number of COVID cases continue to surge in Michigan, new data reveals that mask mandates in school appear to be working to slow the spread of the virus.
Michigan data shows schools are leading source of new COVID cases
Read full article: Michigan data shows schools are leading source of new COVID casesโWeโre engaged in a trade-off right now,โ Dr. Navin said. โWe know that school is good for kids, we know COVID is bad for kids and weโve decided that a little bit of COVID is the price worth paying to have kids in school.โ
Count Day in pandemic: How Detroit public schools, parents are getting kids counted
Read full article: Count Day in pandemic: How Detroit public schools, parents are getting kids countedAny other year, Count Day would be a day where millions of dollars would be hanging in the balance for Michigan school districts, but this time around is different thanks to the pandemic.
A look at how some Michigan school districts are using testing to avoid quarantines
Read full article: A look at how some Michigan school districts are using testing to avoid quarantinesWith more school outbreaks reported, students are being told to quarantine. However, some districts are trying to find a way to keep kids in the classroom.
Eastpointe Middle School students return to in-person learning after staffing shortage
Read full article: Eastpointe Middle School students return to in-person learning after staffing shortageA staff shortage had Eastpointe Middle School turning to virtual learning last week, but the students have since been able to return to the classroom.
Get Caught Up: Michigan updates COVID-19 school quarantine guidance for vaccinated, unvaccinated students -- hereโs a review
Read full article: Get Caught Up: Michigan updates COVID-19 school quarantine guidance for vaccinated, unvaccinated students -- hereโs a reviewAs Michigan students return to the classroom, MDHHS has updated its COVID-19 quarantine guidance for both vaccinated and unvaccinated students
Michigan updates COVID-19 school quarantine guidance for vaccinated, unvaccinated students
Read full article: Michigan updates COVID-19 school quarantine guidance for vaccinated, unvaccinated studentsAs Michigan students return to the classroom, MDHHS has updated its COVID-19 quarantine guidance for both vaccinated and unvaccinated students
Metro Detroit doctors are seeing more RSV cases than usual for this time of year
Read full article: Metro Detroit doctors are seeing more RSV cases than usual for this time of yearWhen schools turned to virtual learning due to the COVID pandemic there werenโt illnesses spreading in schools and when students did return masks and social distancing kept the usual illnesses at bay.
Tracking Michigan school districts, colleges requiring masks for 2021-2022 school year
Read full article: Tracking Michigan school districts, colleges requiring masks for 2021-2022 school yearWeโre tracking which Michigan school districts and colleges are requiring face masks to be worn during the upcoming school year amid the ongoing COVID pandemic.
Get Caught Up: A look at Michigan school mask mandates for 2021-22 academic year
Read full article: Get Caught Up: A look at Michigan school mask mandates for 2021-22 academic yearWe have been tracking the evolving responses to the call for masks inside Michigan school buildings as students and teachers head back into classrooms for the start of the 2021-22 academic year.
Wayne County health officials expected to issue school COVID guidance
Read full article: Wayne County health officials expected to issue school COVID guidanceSchool districts in Wayne County are waiting Friday to receive COVID-19 related guidance from county officials, particularly in regards to a face mask policy.
Clintondale superintendentโs mask mandate reversed by school board vote
Read full article: Clintondale superintendentโs mask mandate reversed by school board vote"The Boardโs decision to recommend masks for our students and staff was based solely on the CDCโs return-to-school guidelines, which is not a health mandate."
Mask mandate issued for Hartland elementary school following positive COVID tests
Read full article: Mask mandate issued for Hartland elementary school following positive COVID testsA Hartland elementary school has issued a mask mandate after several students have reportedly tested positive for COVID-19.
All private, public school students in Oakland County required to wear masks
Read full article: All private, public school students in Oakland County required to wear masksThe Oakland County Health Division issued an emergency health order Tuesday that requires all students and staff to wear masks when they return to school.
Parents spar over masks at Utica Community Schools
Read full article: Parents spar over masks at Utica Community SchoolsUtica Community Schools is the largest school district in Macomb County and it is opting to start mask optional for fall semester. Superintendent Robert Monroe said it depends on parents and the choices they and their students make as to whether that can continue.
Face masks required at Warren Consolidated Schools this fall
Read full article: Face masks required at Warren Consolidated Schools this fallAll students attending Warren Consolidated Schools (WCS) this fall will be required to wear face masks as COVID-19 continues to spread throughout Metro Detroit and Michigan.
Metro Detroit school districts debate potential mask mandates for 2021-22 school year
Read full article: Metro Detroit school districts debate potential mask mandates for 2021-22 school yearWeโre tracking which Michigan school districts and colleges are requiring face masks to be worn during the upcoming school year amid the ongoing COVID pandemic.
Michigan health department recommends universal masking in schools for beginning of 2021-22 school year
Read full article: Michigan health department recommends universal masking in schools for beginning of 2021-22 school yearโBecause many students have yet to be vaccinated and students under age 12 are not yet eligible, layered prevention measures, including universal masking, must be put in place for consistent in-person learning to keep kids, staff and families safe,โ reads a MDHHS release.
MDHHS โstrongly recommendsโ Michigan schools require universal masking when students return
Read full article: MDHHS โstrongly recommendsโ Michigan schools require universal masking when students returnMichigan health officials are strongly recommending schools to require universal masking when students return for in-person learning.
Michigan board of education clash over mask rules during meeting
Read full article: Michigan board of education clash over mask rules during meetingAs K-12 schools prepare to resume in-person learning in Michigan and across the nation this fall, many are discussing whether children should be required to wear face masks to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Parents demand action after Grosse Pointe Public Schools decides to not require masks
Read full article: Parents demand action after Grosse Pointe Public Schools decides to not require masksโWeโre teaching them something that honestly just breaks my heart, that we donโt have responsibility to care for and about one another,โ Eisenberg said.
Parents demand action after Grosse Pointe Public Schools decides not to require masks
Read full article: Parents demand action after Grosse Pointe Public Schools decides not to require masksโWeโre teaching them something that honestly just breaks my heart, that we donโt have responsibility to care for and about one another,โ Eisenberg said.
Get Caught Up: Michigan schools receive updated COVID guidance for return to in-person learning
Read full article: Get Caught Up: Michigan schools receive updated COVID guidance for return to in-person learningMichigan has revealed its updated COVID-19 safety guidelines to protect students from the virus when they return to in-person learning.
Dr. Joneigh Khaldun: Optional school mask policies not consistent with CDC recommendations
Read full article: Dr. Joneigh Khaldun: Optional school mask policies not consistent with CDC recommendationsSome Metro Detroit school districts claim to be consistent with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state guidelines, but donโt appear to be.
Metro Detroit health departments reluctant to issue mask mandates as COVID cases rise again
Read full article: Metro Detroit health departments reluctant to issue mask mandates as COVID cases rise againOfficials arenโt issuing mask mandates despite the Centers for Disease Control and Preventionโs guidance that fully vaccinated people should still wear masks indoors.
Michigan releases COVID guidance for upcoming school year, urges universal masking
Read full article: Michigan releases COVID guidance for upcoming school year, urges universal maskingMichigan has revealed its updated COVID-19 safety guidelines to protect students from the virus when they return to in-person learning.
Get Caught Up: What the โhistoricโ Michigan education funding bill means for your child
Read full article: Get Caught Up: What the โhistoricโ Michigan education funding bill means for your childGov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a bipartisan funding bill on Wednesday giving Michiganโs K-12 schools a boost.
Michigan Legislature approves major boost in K-12 funding
Read full article: Michigan Legislature approves major boost in K-12 fundingMichigan lawmakers have approved of a $17.1 billion K-12 budget, one that will eliminate a longstanding base per-student funding gap among districts and boost overall funding by 10%.
MDHHS issues 12 COVID safety suggestions for Michigan schools during in-person learning
Read full article: MDHHS issues 12 COVID safety suggestions for Michigan schools during in-person learningMichigan health officials have issued 12 safety recommendations to protect students and teachers from COVID-19 during in-person learning at schools.
Wave of superintendent retirements leave Metro Detroit school districts with leadership void
Read full article: Wave of superintendent retirements leave Metro Detroit school districts with leadership voidAs school districts across Metro Detroit work to normalize the learning experience for the 2021-22 school year, a concerning trend is developing.
Whitmer: Expand preschool to 22,000 4-year-olds in Michigan
Read full article: Whitmer: Expand preschool to 22,000 4-year-olds in MichiganGov. Gretchen Whitmer has proposed expanding government-funded preschool to 22,000 eligible but unenrolled 4-year-olds in Michigan, saying too many cannot access an โincredible opportunityโ because of inadequate funding.
Michiganโs first transgender teacher of the year speaks out on bill targeting transgender student athletes
Read full article: Michiganโs first transgender teacher of the year speaks out on bill targeting transgender student athletesThe bill is also opposed by the Michigan High School Athletic Association, which called it unneccessary.
Metro Detroit school districts push for vaccinations ahead of graduation
Read full article: Metro Detroit school districts push for vaccinations ahead of graduationMany people look forward to the big day -- graduation. But things are going to be different this year, especially for the seniors in the Troy and Southfield public school districts.
Some Michigan schools going forward with SAT, ACT testing; others will use make-up days
Read full article: Some Michigan schools going forward with SAT, ACT testing; others will use make-up daysThe first day of SAT testing was set for Tuesday. However, the call for voluntary 2-week pause has led to confusion among Michigan students, parents and schools.
Ingham County urges local schools to pause in-person instruction over virus concern
Read full article: Ingham County urges local schools to pause in-person instruction over virus concernThe Ingham County Health Department is urging some schools within the county to avoid in-person learning for one week as coronavirus spread worsens throughout the state.
Michigan ramps up COVID testing at nursing homes, schools, airports as numbers rise
Read full article: Michigan ramps up COVID testing at nursing homes, schools, airports as numbers riseMichigan officials are ramping up COVID-19 testing at nursing homes, schools and airports as the number of cases spreading throughout the state continues to rise. More than 72,000 free tests have been conducted at neighborhood testing sites in socially vulnerable communities and continue to provide testing . Free post-spring break testing pop-up sites are planned for school districts in 34 communities. Testing sites at welcome centers and Michigan airports are in the works for returning travelers. Vaccine providers with the capacity to vaccinate all individuals ages 16 years and older are allowed do so at this time, state officials said.
Wayne County school officials urge families to remain cautious over spring break
Read full article: Wayne County school officials urge families to remain cautious over spring breakWAYNE COUNTY, Mich. โ With Michiganโs COVID-19 numbers on the rise and spring break around the corner, Wayne County superintendents are reaching out to parents to ask them to be vigilant in order to keep schools open. In order to keep schools open -- despite the rise in COVID cases -- it will depend on behavior outside of school. READ: Tracking coronavirus cases, outbreaks in Michigan schoolsAdWayne County school officials are asking parents as they head into spring break to skip the parties because of the substantial community spread going on. Officials said the precautions at schools -- daily cleaning, contact tracing and isolating students -- are working and that they donโt want students to return to remote-learning. They said they are concerned that if students and families let their guards down over spring break, the community spread will explode more than it already is.
Metro Detroit students have end-of-year concerns
Read full article: Metro Detroit students have end-of-year concernsDETROIT โ During the coronavirus pandemic, Local 4 has been checking in with students around Metro Detroit on their struggles, successes and how COVID is impacting their lives. Itโs no surprise that students are starting to get concerned about end-of-year activities like graduations and proms. Paula Tutman spoke with students from the Walled Lake Consolidated School District, and they thing Michigan lawmakers need to be more efficient with their time. They acknowledge that they are not entitled to a fun senior year, but believe they have earned the right to start making plans. Walled Lake superintendent Kenneth Gutman said he thought there would be more guidance from Lansing, so he could direct his students on what they can and cannot plan toward, but he said heโs heard nothing.
CDC halves distance requirements in schools from 6 to 3 feet
Read full article: CDC halves distance requirements in schools from 6 to 3 feetThe CDC now said the science supports reducing the minimum recommended space between students as long as everyone is wearing a well-fitting mask. Under the new guidelines, students in elementary school can now sit three feet apart instead of the previously recommended six feet -- as long as everyone is wearing a mask. โThese recommendations are specific to students in classrooms with universal mask wearing,โ said CDC director Dr. Rochelle Walensky. However, six feet of distance is still recommended in several situations, including:Between all adults, or adults and students. pic.twitter.com/w3lHKrO3fu โ CDC (@CDCgov) March 19, 2021The new guidelines will help some schools get back to face-to-face learning, especially where population and space is an issue.
200 students in quarantine as Oxford High School returns to virtual learning amid COVID outbreak
Read full article: 200 students in quarantine as Oxford High School returns to virtual learning amid COVID outbreakOXFORD, Mich. โ A COVID-19 outbreak has forced Oxford High School to return to virtual learning as 200 students are being quarantined, school officials confirm. The shift to remote learning is in effect through this week, and officials hope to return to in-person instruction on March 22, according to the school website. Of those student cases, one is at Daniel Axford Elementary, six are at Oxford Middle School and 11 are at Oxford High School, the data shows. There are exactly 201 Oxford High School students -- 10% of the student population -- quarantining due to potential exposure to a school-related case, according to the data. Three Oxford Middle School staff members are under quarantine due to potential exposure in a school-related case, the website says.
School funding fuels hybrid learning debate at West Bloomfield School District
Read full article: School funding fuels hybrid learning debate at West Bloomfield School DistrictWEST BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. โ Two pieces of legislation passed last week offering additional funding for Michigan schools that provide at least 20 hours of in-person learning. Gretchen Whitmer, but one school district is now trying to decide if itโs worth to re-route its current learning plan. The West Bloomfield School District is in hybrid learning and was planning to keep it until next year. READ: What to know as Detroit public schools resume in-person learningBut the potential loss of $1.2 million in additional funding forced the districtโs Board of Education to discuss on Monday whether to increase in-person learning to 20 hours a week. Weโre living with the reality of the Legislature being the Legislature,โ Hill said.