Fall 2021 Return to School Plans

Dear Clarkston Community Schools Families, 

I hope this email finds you enjoying the quieter pace of summer. As we prepare for the school year ahead, I want to begin sharing our plans to get back to learning in Clarkston. 

There may be changes to our plans as different authoritative organizations establish new enforceable mandates or as laws change through the legislative process. If and when we confront such changes, we will try to communicate clearly and quickly and minimize disruption to our students, families, and staff.

Offering face-to-face instruction in school is extremely important to the more than 7,000 students in our district. Emergency transitions to distance learning would only occur when mandated, or if a significant number of student or staff absences are attributable to COVID-19.

The key strategy for staying in school in-person is achieving high levels of COVID-19 vaccination within our community. Together with state and local health authorities, education leaders are strongly recommending that all eligible students, teachers, staff, and household members get the COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible when supported by their medical advisor.

We support parents and guardians in making personal choices based on what’s best for their families. In the absence of any enforceable federal or state COVID restrictions or mask mandates, our plans for the fall are consistent with the protocols that are in place for our summer programs and camps:

Mask Use	Not required in buildings or on school campuses. The voluntary wearing of masks at school is encouraged by state and federal health officials. It is important that we respect one another’s personal choice in this area, understanding that there are varying tolerances, comfort levels, and circumstances affecting this decision.  Required on public transportation, including school buses, per Federal Order (set to expire September 13).
Physical Distancing	Not required.
COVID-19 Screening/Testing/Vaccination	Not required. COVID-19 vaccination is encouraged for all eligible individuals.
Ventilation	Ventilation systems in buildings will continue to operate to original design specifications. On school buses, windows may be opened slightly when safe and practicable.
Staying home when sick/getting tested	Staff and families are expected to use good judgment, stay home when they are sick, and report absences according to our attendance policies.
Contact Tracing in Combination with Isolation & Quarantine	Oakland County Health Division has suspended contact tracing and mandatory quarantining of individuals who have been in close contact with a COVID-positive person.
Cleaning & Disinfection	Standard daily cleaning protocols using products approved by the CDC to be effective against the COVID-19 virus.
School Day	Traditional classroom setup, normal flow of traffic between classes, use of lockers, unrestricted recesses, assemblies, field trips, class parties, and other opportunities to welcome guests back into our buildings.
Learning Model Options  (Face-to-Face or Clarkston Virtual 100% Online Learning)	Last spring, Clarkston Community Schools provided families an opportunity to decide if they would like to participate in face-to-face learning or Clarkston Virtual (100% online virtual learning) for the entire 2021-2022 school year. If our plans for the fall impact your choice of learning model, you may request a transfer to a different model by completing this form: Transfer Request Form through August 15, 2021 at 5pm. We cannot guarantee that 2021-2022 course choices for student transfers will be honored for requests made after April 4, 2021, as was previously communicated. If you have questions about our learning models for 2021-2022, please contact Central Enrollment at (248) 623-5400.   Face-to-face classes will not offer Google Meet or Zoom access for students not in attendance.

In the weeks ahead, we will share the exciting work we are doing in Clarkston to elevate academic achievement across the district, develop our students’ potential, remove learning barriers and meet the needs of all learners with an individualized system of supports. I also look forward to introducing you to some new faces in the district and sharing more about their roles and responsibilities as we start the new school year. 

As always, I am proud to partner with you and serve our wonderful community. 

Sincerely, 
Dr. Shawn Ryan
Superintendent of Schools

About Clarkston Community Schools: Clarkston is a highly regarded school district with an enrollment of nearly 7,100 students. We have seven elementary schools (K-5), one middle school serving grades 6-7, one junior high for grades 8-9, and Clarkston High School, which serves students in grades 10-12. We also have a virtual academy, an Early Childhood Center serving children ages 3-5, and an alternative high school/community education facility. Clarkston Community Schools students are well-prepared for a future that excites them, and believe that they can achieve their dreams. The mission of Clarkston Community Schools is to create a learning environment where students, staff, and families are challenged, healthy, engaged, safe, and supported.

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Read more Clarkston Community Schools News at www.clarkston.k12.mi.us/news.

Questions or Feedback? Email feedback@clarkston.k12.mi.us

Media Contact: Mary Ellen Rowe, Director of Marketing and Community Relations (248) 623-5460.

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