Deckerville Community Schools

ATTN: SENIORS, The Education Foundation Scholarship Applications are due in the High School Office this Friday April 23, at 3:00pm.

Reminder to the seniors that the Deckerville Education Foundation Scholarship is due on Friday, April 23, 2021, at noon to Mrs. Ford in the counseling office.

April 9th, 2021 Dear School Community, As a district, we are aware of the increases of positivity rates of COVID-19 that is occurring in our state and particularly in the greater thumb area. We are also aware of the recommendations of the Sanilac County Health Department and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services as well as the Office of the Governor, for schools to voluntarily suspend face to face instruction and extra-curricular activities such as school sports, for a period of two weeks. We do not necessarily disagree, however, these are recommendations, not mandates. At this time, we have no known cases of COVID-19 in our students or staff, and we have not added any new cases to our COVID-19 dashboard since March 20th, at which time we had suspended face to face instruction for six days just prior to Easter break. Given that we have no positive cases, Deckerville Community Schools will remain OPEN at this time, and our athletes will participate in school sports. We will, however, continue to monitor this situation carefully and remain prepared to transition to remote instruction if we see a rise in cases of COVID in our schools. We will continue to follow safety protocols, and our custodial crew has been instructed to increase disinfection of our building. Parents and guardians of our students can help us by closely monitoring your children and keeping them home if they show any symptoms, or have been in close contact with friends or family members that have shown symptoms. We recommend taking action to help limit the spread of COVID-19, even if staff members or students are not experiencing symptoms: • Wear a mask (covering mouth and nose) while in public places or if people who do not live with you must visit your home. • Practice social distancing (maintaining a distance of 6 feet apart). • Practice frequent handwashing (using soap for 20 seconds or hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol). • Follow capacity restrictions of social gatherings. • Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or with the inside of your elbow and immediately wash your hands. • Stay home if you are sick; you can also get tested. If you have any questions, contact the Sanilac County Health Department at 810-648-4098. For answers to your COVID-19 questions, please call the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services COVID-19 Hotline at 888-535-6136 or visit Michigan.gov/Coronavirus. You may also contact our school district at 810-376-3615. Sincerely, Superintendent Deckerville Community Schools

UPCOMING TESTING: Tuesday 4-13 7th Gr Virtual Day you will complete your work from home. 8th Gr PSAT testing @ 8:00am 9th Gr PSAT testing @ 8:00am 10th Gr PSAT testing @ 8:00am 11th Gr SAT testing @ 8:00 am. NO Career Ctr for 11th grade. 11th Gr Dismissed after testing. 12th Gr Virtual Day you will complete your work from home. You will be expected to attend Career Ctr. Wednesday 4-14 11th Gr ACT Work Keys testing @ 8:00 am. NO Career Ctr for 11th grade. Normal afternoon schedule. All other grades per your normal schedule for second semester Thursday 4-15 11th Gr M-Step SCI/SS testing @ 12:30pm There will be Career Ctr. for both 11th & 12th Gr. All other grades per your normal schedule for second semester

March 24, 2021 To Whom It May Concern, The Deckerville Community Schools Board of Education would like to express its disapproval with the recent testing requirements for student athletics imposed by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. These require all individuals, ages 13-19, participating in contact and non-contact school sports to test for SARS-CoV-2 on a weekly basis. Our Board of Education is opposed to these requirements for the following reasons: First, most spring sports in K-12 school districts are both non-contact, and played out of doors. The nature and venue of these sports practices and competitions call for minimal to no physical contact. In addition, student athletes and coaches may easily maintain social distancing on out of door playing fields. Such conditions limit the spread of COVID, making weekly testing unnecessary. Second, these requirements represent a reactionary over-correction to the recent increase in positive COVID cases. It is unclear whether sports activities have caused or contributed to the trend. The majority of new positive cases have no connection with sports activities whatsoever. Third, although rapid tests are being provided at no cost to school districts through the MI Safe Sports Testing Program, the burden of implementation of this program falls upon the local sports organizations. Even though remote, no-cost training is being provided, the fact remains that many schools have no professional health care workers on staff, and problematic infrastructure for mass testing. In addition, the rapid tests are invasive in nature, and place school personnel in a precarious position in regard to adult to student interactions. Fourth, vaccination rates are increasing daily. Presumably, infection rates must fall to more manageable levels in the near future, making weekly testing unnecessary. Finally, the Deckerville Community Schools Board of Education continues to oppose weekly testing requirements for student athletes. Our Board of Education urges the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to reconsider such extreme and unnecessary measures. Sincerely, Deckerville Community Schools Board of Education

TRANSITION TO REMOTE LEARNING MICHAEL HUGAN March 18th, 2021 Dear Deckerville School Community, Over the last couple of days, several of our students, both secondary and elementary have tested positive for COVID-19 and were present in our schools. This has made it necessary to quarantine a large portion of the student body and several staff members. These quarantines have presented our district with significant instructional and staffing challenges, as well as concern for the safety of our students and staff members and their families. Effective Friday, March 19th, Deckerville Community Schools will transition to full remote learning for all grades, with a return to face to face instruction planned for Monday, April 5th. Students will be sent home with devices and teachers will continue to engage and instruct their students via Google Classroom. If your student(s) have issues with connectivity to the internet, please contact the high school or elementary school office. It is important to emphasize that this transition to remote learning should not in any way be considered an “early” Spring Break. Remote instruction will begin tomorrow, March 19th, and continue until Friday, March 26th. Please be reminded that Friday, March 26th is also the end of the third marking period, and students will be expected to have assignments complete by then. Career Center: Career Center students may continue with their program. A bus will be made available to transport students to the ISD and will run at its normal times. However, students will need to arrange transportation to and from the Deckerville High School campus. Food Distribution: Deckerville Community Schools will not be distributing food during this 6 day period of remote instruction. We are continuing to work closely with the Sanilac County Health Department to identify Close Contacts of School Associated Cases of COVID-19. Anyone identified as a Close Contact will be notified by the health department as a part of the COVID-19 investigation process. Please answer the phone if the health department contacts you, as a contact tracer may be trying to reach you with important information. We recommend taking action to help limit the spread of COVID-19, even if staff members or students are not experiencing symptoms: • Wear a mask (covering mouth and nose) while in public places or if people who do not live with you must visit your home. • Practice social distancing (maintaining a distance of 6 feet apart). • Practice frequent handwashing (using soap for 20 seconds or hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol). • Follow capacity restrictions of social gatherings. • Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or with the inside of your elbow and immediately wash your hands. • Stay home if you are sick; you can also get tested. Thank you for understanding that, due to medical privacy laws, we are not able to release the names of the individuals with COVID-19. We will continue to communicate changes and updates with you. With your participation, we believe we can maintain a safe environment while also providing quality education. If you have any questions, contact the Sanilac County Health Department at 810-648-4098. For answers to your COVID-19 questions, please call the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services COVID-19 Hotline at 888-535-6136 or visit Michigan.gov/Coronavirus. Sincerely, Michael Hugan Superintendent Deckerville Community Schools

March 16th, 2021 Dear School Community, As noted on our COVID-19 Dashboard https://docs.google.com/document/d/1494I-yXQHbKzU6kPs6aVIxKS4jpFnsUp8Vx68AKNkLM , on Monday evening, March15th, we learned about two school associated cases of COVID-19 in students at Deckerville Community Schools. Unfortunately, this has led to the quarantining of our Girls Varsity, Junior Varsity, and Junior High Basketball Teams. Cleaning and disinfecting of the exposed location(s) has been completed. Deckerville Community Schools will remain OPEN at this time. We are working closely with the Sanilac County Health Department to identify Close Contacts of School Associated Cases of COVID-19. Anyone identified as a Close Contact will be notified by the health department as a part of the COVID-19 investigation process. Please answer the phone if the health department contacts you, as a contact tracer may be trying to reach you with important information. We recommend taking action to help limit the spread of COVID-19, even if staff members or students are not experiencing symptoms: • Wear a mask (covering mouth and nose) while in public places or if people who do not live with you must visit your home. • Practice social distancing (maintaining a distance of 6 feet apart). • Practice frequent handwashing (using soap for 20 seconds or hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol). • Follow capacity restrictions of social gatherings. • Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or with the inside of your elbow and immediately wash your hands. • Stay home if you are sick; you can also get tested. Thank you for understanding that, due to medical privacy laws, we are not able to release the names of the individuals with COVID-19. We will continue to communicate changes and updates with you. With your participation, we believe we can maintain a safe environment while also providing quality education. If you have any questions, contact the Sanilac County Health Department at 810-648-4098. For answers to your COVID-19 questions, please call the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services COVID-19 Hotline at 888-535-6136 or visit Michigan.gov/Coronavirus. Sincerely, Michael S. Hugan Superintendent Deckerville Community Schools

Paraprofessional Position Opening Translator 5.83 Hours per day/5 days per week Anyone who is interested please see the attached qualifications and inquire by calling 810-376-3615

SENIORS!!! Graduation weekend is June 11, 12, 13. We are hoping for a Friday night (June 11th) outdoor Graduation Ceremony similar to last year. In the event that date will not work we will fall back to a Saturday (June 12th)or a Sunday (June 13th) evening ceremony. Please keep in mind we are trying to do the best we can with the information, resources and limits we have at this time. More details will follow. Thank you!

Hunters Safety

Lifetouch will be in the elementary for spring pix on March 24, 2021. Stayed tuned for additional info.

Class of 2021 Seniors...Please turn in your class dues, senior pictures and baby pictures by this Friday 02/26/21-Thank you!!!

Good evening. This is Michael Hugan, superintendent of Deckerville Community Schools. I am calling to inform you that tomorrow, Wednesday, February 17th, Deckerville Community Schools will be closed due to inclement weather. Tomorrow, Wednesday, February 17th, Deckerville Community Schools will be closed due to inclement weather. Please stay safe and warm, and have a great evening!

Good evening. This is Michael Hugan, superintendent of Deckerville Community Schools. I am calling to inform you that tomorrow, Tuesday, February 16th, Deckerville Community Schools will be closed due to inclement weather. Tomorrow, Tuesday, February 16th, Deckerville Community Schools will be closed due to inclement weather. Thank you and have a great evening!

Time is running out to file the FAFSA by the preferred deadline, March 1st, so Deckerville is hosting a FAFSA Night on Thursday, February 18th from 6-8pm in the high school library. This is a chance to receive one on one assistance while completing the FAFSA with your student. You and your student can drop by anytime from 6-8, and the FAFSA usually takes about a half hour to complete. If you have any questions, please contact our College Adviser, Heather Mahoney by calling the school or emailing her at hmahoney@deckerville.k12.mi.us

Good morning. This is Michael Hugan, Superintendent of Deckerville Community Schools. I am calling to inform you that today, Friday, February 5th, Deckerville Community Schools is closed due to inclement weather. Today, February 5th, Deckerville Community Schools is closed due to inclement weather. Thank you and have a great weekend!

The 2020-2021 Elementary yearbooks are now available to purchase online. Follow the instructions below: 1) Go to the Deckerville website – http://deckerville.k12.mi.us 2) Click on the link “yearbook purchase” under either the high school or elementary tab. 3) This tab will redirect you to the Josten's web site. 4) Elementary tab 5) If purchasing just the yearbook click the yearbook $15.00 tab. 6) Add the number of yearbooks you would like to order to the cart. 7) Fill out your name and payment options. The email option is also available. 8) Hit the checkout tab. The yearbook will be sent to the school along with the other yearbook orders. The Elementary yearbook will arrive in June 2021. **You may order a HS/JH yearbook the same way, just go through the HS/JH tab.**

Parent Teacher Conferences are scheduled for tomorrow, February 4 from 12:30 to 3 P.M. If you would like to speak with a teacher at the high school, we will be available. You can also email or call to schedule a time to speak on the phone or do a virtual meeting.

In need of meals, clothing, shelter or other essential needs? 2-1-1 is a non-emergency public service number that connects people with local resources. Dial 2-1-1 or visit 211NEMichigan.org to learn more and chat with a live agent.

January 27th, 2021 Dear School Community, As noted on our COVID-19 Dashboard https://docs.google.com/document/d/1494I-yXQHbKzU6kPs6aVIxKS4jpFnsUp8Vx68AKNkLM , on Wednesday, January 27th, we learned about two school associated cases of COVID-19 in a student or staff person at Deckerville Community Schools. Cleaning and disinfecting of the exposed location(s) has been completed. Deckerville Community Schools will remain OPEN at this time. However, the students and teachers of the classrooms which these students were in will transition to remote learning as of today. As per Health Department guidelines, these students will be able to return to in-person instruction on Tuesday, February 3rd, as long as they show no symptoms. In addition, we are working closely with the Sanilac County Health Department to identify Close Contacts of School Associated Cases of COVID-19. Anyone identified as a Close Contact will be notified by the health department as a part of the COVID-19 investigation process. Please answer the phone if the health department contacts you, as a contact tracer may be trying to reach you with important information. We recommend taking action to help limit the spread of COVID-19, even if staff members or students are not experiencing symptoms: • Wear a mask (covering mouth and nose) while in public places or if people who do not live with you must visit your home. • Practice social distancing (maintaining a distance of 6 feet apart). • Practice frequent handwashing (using soap for 20 seconds or hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol). • Follow capacity restrictions of social gatherings. • Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or with the inside of your elbow and immediately wash your hands. • Stay home if you are sick; you can also get tested. Thank you for understanding that, due to medical privacy laws, we are not able to release the names of the individuals with COVID-19. We will continue to communicate changes and updates with you. With your participation, we believe we can maintain a safe environment while also providing quality education. If you have any questions, contact the Sanilac County Health Department at 810-648-4098. For answers to your COVID-19 questions, please call the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services COVID-19 Hotline at 888-535-6136 or visit Michigan.gov/Coronavirus.