March 12, 2020

Dear Morrice Families:

Morrice Area Schools is following Governor Whitmer’s and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Service’s recommendations to slow the transmission of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

The situation is changing by the hour. At this time, please take note of the following important details regarding our district:

• Beginning today, school activities, gatherings, assemblies, or events with more than 100 people in a shared space will be cancelled (will not be rescheduled) OR suspended (temporarily cancelled with the potential of being rescheduled at later date).
• At this time, athletic practices will continue as usual. The district will follow the Michigan High School Athletic Association’s (MHSAA) and the GAC League’s guidelines with regards to competitions. Coaches will communicate with student athletes as information becomes available.
• Field trips scheduled to destinations outside of our school district are suspended until April 10.
• The plans for specific school activities, gatherings, assemblies, or events will be communicated by each school’s principal.

OR you can get an updated list by visiting: https://www.morrice.k12.mi.us/EventChanges

Students are being given additional opportunities to wash their hands throughout the school day and being educated on preventative hygiene practices:

• Stay home if you are sick, and advise others to do the same.
• Always cover coughs or sneezes with a tissue or sleeve.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if soap and warm water are not available.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces, including busses.

Morrice Area Schools will continue to take preventative measures to ensure the cleaning/disinfecting of high-touch areas in addition to our general cleaning practices.

If one or more Shiawassee county districts or buildings close, guidance will be sought out from the Michigan Department of Education regarding making up lost educational time. Our schools’ current plan is to use the allotments of forgiveness days (snow days) and to apply for additional forgiveness days if needed. If one of our county’s districts are closed, that district’s preschool/childcare programs will be closed as well. The Michigan Department of Education does not allow for remote learning to count as instructional time, even if many of our districts could provide that opportunity. Remote instruction presents significant challenges in providing equitable access to quality instruction. Should a prolonged shutdown occur, we will request further guidance from the Michigan Department of Education. 

If you or your family have traveled to a level three zone, please let us know. We also ask that for the health and wellness of students, staff and your neighbors, please take the precautions recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and quarantine yourself and your family for 14 days from the time you left the level three zone.

For additional information and guidance regarding measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, you can access online resources at the Shiawassee County Health Department or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

We will continue to monitor all developments related to COVID-19. These are unprecedented times and this situation remains fluid. As we learn more, we will communicate the additional information to ensure the safety of our students, staff and families.  

Thank you for your trust and patience during this time.

Sincerely,

Michael R. Dewey
Superintendent
Morrice Area Schools