Although we cannot host a traditional Open House this year, we will be offering virtual orientations for new students, 6th graders and 9th graders. More info to come!
Chromebook & iPad Pick-Up
Save the dates! All students in grades 1-12 can pick up their Chromebook or iPad on Wednesday or Thursday, September 2nd or 3rd. Kindergarten iPads will follow soon after. More info soon.
Back-to-School Mailing
Look for our back-to-school mailing next week. It will include:
Elementary teacher assignments
Middle and high school schedules
Locker assignments
Supply lists
Free & reduced lunch applications
Internet hot spot applications
Sunday Newsletter
Your Fall 2020 Educational Options
Sunday, August 9, 2020
Good Afternoon C-F Families,
Camden-Frontier is dedicated to building-out a flexible, safe and effective set of educational options to meet the needs of each of our families this fall. We have invested heavily in new technology and online resources, and have worked throughout the summer to re-imagine our in-person instructional program to safeguard both our students' safety and education.
An overview of our return-to-school plan is below with answers to many frequently asked questions. More information is also available on our new Fall 2020 web page here.
- - - - -
OPTION A: Traditional In-Person Instruction
Camden-Frontier looks forward to our return to traditional in-person instruction on Tuesday, September 8. In spite of current circumstances, the C-F staff is committed to providing our students with the same rigorous and engaging education as always in spite of current circumstances. No school in the area is more determined than Camden-Frontier to make up for lost instructional time in the spring, and we look forward to doing so starting on September 8.
Although we will strive to make school as normal as possible, we must follow the requirements in Phase 4 of the state's Return to School Roadmap. All public and charter schools in the state of Michigan must follow these same requirements. More on that plan's requirements are below in the frequently asked questions section.
OPTION B: Online Instruction
We understand that many families are not comfortable returning to in-person instruction at this time. Therefore, C-F has made several large investments in our online instructional program since last spring including:
New Chromebooks for home use for grades 3 and 4
New iPads for home use for grades 1 and 2 and possibly kindergarten
Extensive investments in online learning platforms like Edgenuity, Imagine Literacy, Mystery Science and more
Assistance obtaining internet in the home for qualifying households
The C-F online program will be coordinated directly by Camden-Frontier teachers so every student will have friendly and familiar people to help them with their lessons and assessments. Our powerful new online educational platforms will deliver dynamic and engaging lessons aligned to our state curricula ensuring effective instruction.
Every parent may choose this free option for their child for any reason at any time during the fall semester. Families can reassess their decision every 9-weeks and return to in-person instruction if they wish at the start of each new quarter.
All parents/guardians will be asked to choose enrollment for online programming or in-person instruction beginning on August 16. Enrollment can be done online or via U.S. Mail.
- - - - -
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the online option free?
Yes, the online option is 100% free including either a Chromebook or iPad for each student depending on their grade. C-F will also be helping eligible households obtain internet hot spots if possible. More information on hot spots will be available on August 16.
Can I enroll one child online and another in-person?
Yes, parents and guardians may choose what is best for each child in their home. If you feel online is best for one child but not another, that's no problem. Enrollment for the online program will begin on Sunday, August 16.
Does online enrollment last all year?
Students can remain in the online program at least through the 1st semester of the school year. Depending on circumstances and parent demand, it may also be offered 2nd semester.
Can we enroll for in in-person instruction to start and change our mind later?
Yes. Given the highly changing environment we're living in, parents may opt out of in-person instruction at any time during the 1st semester and move to online learning.
Will the online program be the same as the past spring?
Our new online program will be much more robust and engaging than the spring approach. Coordinated by members of the C-F teaching staff, the online program will rely on several new digital learning platforms including Edgenuity (elementary and secondary), Imagine Literacy, Mystery Science and many more. School work will also be assessed for a grade, something that was prohibited by the state in the spring. Every student will have a designated teacher (elementary) or teachers (secondary) who will be in weekly contact and available for questions and one-on-one assistance. We've invested heavily in this program over the summer and all Camden-Frontier teaching staff will receive in-depth professional training to implement the program effectively. We are very confident C-F will have the best online program in the county beginning September 8.
How can we learn more about the online option?
We will be hosting a virtual overview and Q&A session about our online program on Wednesday, August 19 at 7:00 pm. Any and all interested parents and students are encouraged to participate. More info is available here.
Can online students participate in sports and extracurricular activities?
Yes, if your child is enrolled in the online program, they can also participate in all sports and extracurricular activities if they meet the normal eligibility requirements.
Will every student receive a Chromebook or iPad?
Yes, every student will receive a device on loan from the school for the entire school year whether they are enrolled in-person or online. Although these devices belong to the school, they should be taken home each day after school with care.
Is there a deposit for the Chromebooks and iPads?
Normally yes, but this year the fee is waived. Given the large amount of money C-F has invested in these devices, we simply ask that parents and guardians along with students do their best to take care of our Chromebooks and iPads. They are very important to our educational plan this year. Parents and guardians will be responsible for damage or loss.
Will students with I.E.P.s and 504 Plans receive services?
Yes. Students attending in-person will receive services as normal. Special services will also be offered to online students to the greatest degree possible. Our special education staff will work with parents to provide in-person and online assistance to the degree parents are comfortable. Our special education staff will be in touch with students and parents on their caseloads as school approaches.
Are fall sports taking place?
As of today, fall sports practices are scheduled to begin state-wide this week and next. More information on game schedules will be made available in the weeks ahead. All decisions about high school athletics rest in the hands of the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA).
IMPORTANT: MHSAA rules state that any student who transfers from one school district to another is ineligible to play any sport he/she participated in the previous year for one full school year.
What is happening with fall extracurricular activities?
Fall extracurricular activities are currently scheduled to take place as normal. The state, however, will require the wearing of masks at all related events.
When will we know our child's elementary teacher assignment?
We will finalize elementary (K-5) teaching assignments the week of August 17-21. Our return-to-school mailing through the U.S. mail will go out ASAP with that information.
When will we know our child's middle or high school schedule?
We will finalize middle school and high school (6-12) schedules the week of August 17-21. Our return-to-school mailing through the U.S. mail will go out ASAP with that information.
When will we know our child's locker assignment?
We will finalize all locker assignments the week of August 17-21. Our return-to-school mailing through the U.S. mail will go out ASAP with that information.
What supplies will be needed this year?
We are trying to minimize supplies coming from home this year. However, we will share limited supply lists in our return-to-school mailing. As you might guess, we welcome any and all donations of sanitizing wipes and hand sanitizer.
What safety measures are required by the state for in-person instruction?
Every public school in Michigan in Phase 4 (which includes all of Hillsdale and the surrounding counties) must require masks for all students on buses and in the hallways. Although students in grades 6-12 must also wear masks in classrooms, students in grades K-5 do not. Phase 4 also prohibits all Michigan schools from conducting field trips and assemblies or having volunteers and visitors in the school.
What safety precautions are being taken at school?
C-F is committed to keeping our students and staff as safe as possible when school reopens. On-going Sanitizing: Every classroom will be equipped with abundant sanitizing supplies to allow for desk and surface cleaning throughout the day. Hand sanitizer will be widely available and its use will be encouraged. Hygiene Education: We will be emphasizing hand hygiene on a daily basis, especially in the elementary school. New signage will also encourage and educate students about the importance of hand washing. Nightly Sanitizing: Thanks to our PTO, C-F is very lucky to have purchased a Clorox 360 sanitizing machine for thorough nightly disinfection of our classrooms and buses. Buses will be sanitized after every run. Face Masks: C-F will provide masks for every student and staff member on a daily basis if needed. They are required by the state in all hallways and buses. Students in grades 6-12 must also wear masks in their classrooms. Social Distancing: C-F has always prided itself on small class sizes and that has never been more important than this fall. Although we are not required to insure social distancing among students by the state, small classes are an advantage in this area. Our classrooms will be arranged to maximize space between students and teachers for everyone's protection.
Are masks required?
Yes, every school in Michigan in Phase 4 (the vast majority of the state) must require all students to wear masks (not shields) on the bus and in the hallways. Although students in grades 6-12 must wear masks in classrooms, students in grades K-5 do not. All students, of course, may wear masks if they choose to regardless of their grade. All staff members are required to wear masks at all times.
Can a student get an exemption from wearing a mask?
Yes, students can be exempt from the mask requirement for medical reasons. It requires a recent doctor's note requesting the exemption and the completion of a waiver which will be shared next Sunday.
How is food service being handled?
We will continue to offer breakfast and lunch to all in-person students. However, the state currently prohibits use of the cafeteria for more than one class at a time meaning students will be eating in their classrooms. Free and reduced meals will still be offered to all eligible families. Additional information on free and reduced applications will be included in back-to-school packet to be delivered by U.S. Mail later this month.
Busing
C-F will continue to offer transportation to and from school as normal. Our buses will be individually sanitized after every trip. Although the state doesn't require social distancing on the bus, all students regardless of grade are required to wear a mask at all times.
Parents/guardians are encouraged to transport students to and from school if possible.
Visitors & Guests
Currently the state does not permit visitors or guests in the school at any time. Parents and guardians can enter the building to conduct business in the secondary or elementary offices but no other locations. Classrooms, hallways, the cafeteria and all other locations are off-limits except to staff and students. Masks are required by the state for all adults when in the building.
Walking Students to Class in the Morning
Unfortunately, under Phase 4 of the state's return-to-school plan, parents and guardians must say goodbye to their children prior to entering the building. We will station additional staff at the entry doors to help students transition into school without you.
Will students take standardized tests this year?
This remains unknown at this time. The State of Michigan has applied to the federal government to waive testing this year but no decision has been made in Washington, D.C.
- - - - -
The fall ahead will demand flexibility on the part of everyone involved in education including teachers, parents, administrators and the students themselves. There is no doubt that challenges will arise but we are confident that our return-to-school plan places us in the best possible position to respond quickly and effectively. Whether you choose online or in-person instruction for your child, we are happy you are a part of the C-F family and we look forward to working together again beginning on September 8.
Please forward this email to other C-F friends and family. Please also encourage people to sign-up for future email updates at www.camdenfrontier.org/subscribe.