July 20, 2021
Dear Marion Public Schools Families and Staff:
We are happy to see our local COVID-19 numbers decline and restrictions greatly reduced. We are looking forward to the upcoming school year!
The district has received a number of questions about what “school” will look like for the 2021-2022 school year. This update will provide you with our plans as of today, which may change should we receive public health orders from CDC, MDHHS, and/or CMDHD. Athletics will adhere to rules set forth by MDHHS and MHSAA.
General Information (As of July 20, 2021)
What will our instructional model look like?
All students will attend school full-time, five days per week following the published school calendar. We will not have delayed starts on Mondays and we will not have early release time on Wednesdays.
Click here to see the 2021-2022 school calendar.
When does school start?
Our first full day of school is on Tuesday, August 24, 2021.
What is the cost of breakfast and lunch for the 2021-2022 school year?
Breakfast and lunch will be free for all students.
Will Marion Public Schools offer a virtual option for students?
The district will be evaluating the need for virtual instruction and will make a decision based on those needs.
COVID-19 & Communicable Disease Protocols (As of July 20, 2021)
Are face masks required at school?
Face masks will be optional while students are at school.
Will my child be required to get the COVID-19 vaccine in order to attend school?
No. The COVID-19 vaccine is not listed on the School Required Vaccination List. For more information, please see: School Required Vaccines for Parents by MDHHS
Will you separate students who are vaccinated from students who are unvaccinated?
No. Vaccination status is a personal choice.
Will students be in cohorts in the classroom or on the playground?
No. As of June 22, 2021, MDHHS has discontinued all gathering limits for residential and nonresidential settings.
Will contact tracing continue?
Schools are required to report communicable diseases to their local health department within 24 hours. Positive or probable COVID-19 cases will be reported to the Central Michigan District Health Department following our Communicable Disease Board Policy 8450 and Michigan Law Act No. 368 of the Public Acts of 1978. For a complete list of reportable diseases, please see the following document: 2021 Reportable Diseases. When there is a positive or probable case within a classroom, an exposure letter or correspondence from the school will be sent home to parent(s) just as we do with other communicable diseases such as chicken pox.
Will Marion Public Schools quarantine students?
We will continue to exclude staff and students suspected of having a communicable disease based on public health recommendations per the following authority:
Michigan’s Communicable Disease Rules.
Revised School Code, MCL 380.11a.
Will student athletes need to be tested for COVID-19 to participate?
No, MDHHS and MHSAA lifted all requirements for student testing as of June 22, 2021.
Will students continue to be required to wear masks and use hand sanitizer on our buses?
Yes. Federal law requires that people on any form of public transportation need to wear masks. School busses are considered public transportation, therefore, students must wear masks while on the school bus.
Additionally, as a district, we have secured a number of safety protocols to increase the health and safety of our children. In our buildings there will be air purification units for all high traffic areas (classrooms, offices, media centers, etc.) .
Thank you, Marion staff and families, for your attention to this message. It is a WONDERFUL THING that we see our world returning to increased normalcy each and every day. It is hoped you are able to relax and enjoy the remainder of this summer in preparation for next year’s school year. I look forward to greeting your child(ren) and all our staff when we return in August.
Sincerely,
Steve Brimmer
Steve Brimmer
Superintendent
Marion Public Schools