SCHOOL SHUTDOWN INFORMATION

Good Afternoon Parents,

This is Mrs. Leffel, Principal at Morrice Jr/Sr High School. I’m writing to update you on the Jr/Sr High School’s Plan for continuing learning. Mailings are going out to students today that include the student's current class schedule, along with our updated online learning schedule. Students will need to look at their online schedule to determine when their classes will be meeting. Teachers have been reaching out to students to notify them of what platform they will be utilizing for instruction. These could include Google Classroom, Zoom Meetings, Facebook Live, their district Web Page, and YouTube. Teachers are utilizing student Gmail accounts that are assigned by our district so please encourage your student to check their Gmail accounts for invites to their online learning classrooms.

If internet access is an issue for your student, we have expanded our building’s wireless internet access. Students may park in our main parking lot and access our wireless service for the purpose of completing school work. The internet service will be available between the hours of 8:00 am – 8:00 pm. Please remind students to be mindful of social distancing requirements. This is not an opportunity to hang out with friends, but to focus on their school work.

Additionally, students that don’t have internet access, or devices will still receive paper copies as requested. The system for delivering paper copies and returning them to school are as follows;

Beginning Friday, April 17th, our bus drivers will be driving their normal bus route to deliver instructional packets to students that have requested them. They will be delivering between 10:00-2:00. Packets will be left near the front door to practice social distancing and ensure the safety of everyone. Beginning the following Friday, any completed work that students want to return will be picked up by bus drivers, when they deliver the next week's material. Students can return completed work in the envelope from the previous week. Please remember, students also have the option of taking a picture of their completed work and emailing it to teachers in order to simplify the process.

I know many of you have questions in regards to grading and report cards. Teachers are utilizing Monday, April 20th through Friday, May 1st to review our third marking period material. Students will have the opportunity to complete unfinished work or projects/assignments in order to improve their grades. No student grades will be negatively impacted. May 1st will mark the end of our third marking period. Therefore, if a student is unwilling or unable to complete any additional work, their final grade for the marking period will be reported as of March 11th in PowerSchool.  Teachers will finalize grades and report cards will be issued during the week of May 11th. If your student is in high school, students with a failing grade will be required to participate in credit recovery in order to stay on track for graduation.

May 4th through June 5th will constitute our fourth marking period. During this time, teachers will be presenting new learning opportunities for students. Any work completed during this marking period will receive a Credit/No Credit score to avoid negatively impacting students GPAs. The official end of the school year will continue to be June 5th. Seniors last day will be May 22nd.

If your student is a senior, PLEASE encourage them to complete any online course they’re currently assigned. Without completing the course, they can’t receive the credits needed to graduate.

 Mrs. Carlson has also posted updated information in regard to local scholarship opportunities on her Counselor Page through our district website. The application process and scholarships are posted so please encourage your student to access that information. If you have questions concerning this, please contact the school at 517-625-3143 or email myself (leffel@morrice.k12.mi.us) or Mrs. Carlson at (carlson@morrice.k12.mi.us).

As I stated in last week’s School Messenger announcement, Prom and Graduation are being rescheduled. The following are the tentative dates we have reserved for these events;

Prom – June 19, July 11, and August 1

Graduation – May 29th (CANCELED), June 26th, July 24th, and August 8th.

If we are still under a stay-at-home order as these dates approach, we will extend to the next date. More information will be provided to those impacted as the dates approach.

I recognize this is an unprecedented time for us all. My goal is to provide as much information and support as possible for you and our students as we navigate through the remainder of our year. Yes, there will be challenges and frustrations, but if we work together, through open and respectful communication, I know we will be successful.

Please continue to stay safe and healthy.

Mrs. Leffel

Tentative Reschedule Dates