If you have questions about the online/distance learning program, join us Wednesday at 7:00 pm for a questions and answer meeting.

1 (872) 240-3412

204-154-069

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 are back ordered and will follow soon after. More info soon.

As you know, C-F is dedicated to offering a flexible, safe and effective set of educational options to meet the needs of each of our families this fall. Beginning today, we are asking all parents/guardians to choose whether their student(s) will attend in-person when school re-opens or study using our online/distance-learning program

To learn more about our in-person and online options as well as answers to many frequently asked questions, look below (republished from last week's newsletter). More information is also available on our Fall 2020 web page here.

We will also be hosting a virtual meeting on Wednesday at 7:00 pm to discuss the online program and take your questions. Call-in details are to the left.

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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.

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:

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.

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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.

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.

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.

IMPORTANT: Once enrolled in the online program, students can only transfer back to in-person instruction at the end of each 9-week marking period.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

All decisions about high school athletics rest in the hands of the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA). On Friday, August 14, the MHSAA announced that football will be postponed until spring. We expect additional delays and postponements from the MHSAA and will communicate them immediately.

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.

Fall extracurricular activities are currently scheduled to take place as normal. The state, however, will require the wearing of masks at all related events.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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.

Thank you,

Kevin