Return to Learn 2021-2022
Southfield Public School District is committed to keeping our families, staff, students, and community members informed. We are hard at work to ensure our students continue to have access to a high-quality educational experience.
Given the current COVID-19 pandemic, we have been diligently planning for your student's return and establishing safety and health guidelines to ensure the best possible experience while in school. Please know that we are committed to following the science and making sure that all students within our care remain safe. Although this year will seem familiar and, at the same time, different, we expect nothing less than a tremendous academic school year for our students.
Southfield Public Schools will be welcoming all students to full in-person learning this school year. Thankfully, we experienced zero COVID cases during our Summer Program, and with the CDC guidance, we are proudly encouraging all students to return to school in person. If you are concerned about your student returning to school for in-person learning, you have the option to select virtual learning through Oakland Schools. Virtual Learning Academy Consortium or VLAC, is a full-year, virtual option. Please note, this option does not allow a temporary schedule and must be utilized for the entire school year. You can access the link for VLAC virtual learning here: https://www.virtuallearningacademyconsortium.org/
Our COVID Safety and Mitigation Plans are as follows:
Mask Wearing
On August 24, 2021, Oakland County Health Department issued an emergency health order that will REQUIRE masks in daycare, elementary, middle, high and vocational schools regardless of vaccination status. This county-wide mask requirement is in complete alignment with our current position to have all of our students masked up inside our school buildings. The District will provide masks for any student requiring one. We will also encourage social distancing, when and where feasible. In addition, within the classrooms teachers and students will be situated with portable protective shields and/or barriers.
Transportation
Masks are required on school buses. Bus Drivers and Aides will be expected to wear masks during your child’s rides to and from school (unless in the event of those wearing glasses and experience fogging) Students will be required to wear them as well. A limited number of masks will be available for students who may arrive at the Bus Stop without one.
School Cleaning and COVID Sanitizing
All classrooms will be stocked with air purifiers and Hand Sanitizing Stations. These sanitizing stations will also be placed through school corridors. Each school will be fully sanitized at the end of the school week on the weekends. School Custodians will be disinfecting frequently touched surfaces throughout the day with a hospital-grade and US EPA-approved disinfectant.
This web page serves as a hub for updates. Here, you will find information on potential school schedule changes, meal service procedures, and how we plan to provide students with access to technology. It also includes information on athletics and activities.
The situation surrounding COVID-19 is evolving with time. We will regularly update this page as our plans continue to take shape. We encourage you to keep checking back for the latest information.
KEY CONTACTS
Jennifer Martin-Green, Superintendent
(248) 746-8777
jennifer.martin-green@southfieldk12.org
Pamela English, Interim Chief Academic Officer
(248) 746-8546
pamela.english@southfieldk12.org
Marc Ingram, Chief Financial and Operations Officer
(248) 746-8549
marc.ingram@southfieldk12.org
Felecia Venable, Director of Operation
(248) 746-8582
felicia.venable@southfieldk12.org
Brian Malinowski, Transportation Location Manager (First Student)
(248) 746-8522
brian.malinowski@firstgroup.com
Rodel Endaluz, Senior General Manager (Southwest Foodservice Excellence, LLC)
(248) 746-7709
rodel.endaluz@sfellc.org
Mark Woodson, Athletic Director
(248) 746-8629
mark.woodson@southfieldk12.org
Daryl Beebe, Director of Student Support Network and Stakeholder Engagement
(248) 746-0045
daryl.beebe@southfieldk12.org
updated 8.11.21
Preparedness and Response Plan / Extended Learning Plan
Communications / Return to School Updates
SPS Return to School Update 4.9.21
SPS Covid-19 Contact Tracing Protocol
SPS Return to Learn FAQ rev. 3.1.2021
SPS Return to Learn Phase II - 2.9.2021
Return to School Update 2.16.21 - K-5 Enrollment Choice
Return to School Update 1.27.21 - Clarification
Return to School Update 1.27.21
Return to School Updates 10.30.20
Return to School Update 10.15.20
Return to School Update 8.26.20
Return to School Update 8.21.20
Return to School Update 8.3.20
School Schedules / Meeting Guidelines / Supply List
The start of the 2021-2022 academic year begins on Monday, August 30, 2020 for full, in-peron learning.
The first week of school will focus on students' non-academic needs, ensuring all students are equipped with technology (computer and internet access) in addition to identifying the mental and social-emotional supports for a successful school year. Staff will also confirm students are comfortable with Schoology, the district's new learning platform, and other virtual formats through two-way communication. Teachers will be available to students during the first week of the school year.
Families are afforded two learning pathways: a full virtual model where students will remain online with instruction, and a remote to hybrid model where students will return to in-person instruction when health conditions are safe. Students will remain at their current home school in both learning models, and accountability measures for attendance, grades, and assessments apply.
Students will receive instructions from the building level on how learning will occur in their classrooms and outline expectations. Schedules will be available through the MiStar ParentPortal during the week of August 30, 2020.
If health/medical conditions surrounding COVID-19 change as the school year progresses, we kindly ask for your understanding relative to possible student class schedule/teaching schedule adjustments that may be necessary as outlined in the MI Safe Schools: Michigan’s 2020-21 Return to School Roadmap.
Sample Learning Schedules
Early Childhood Education
Elementary
Middle School
High School
Kennedy Learning Center
Virtual Meeting Guideline
Virtual Supply List
updated 8.11.21
Champions DayCare Services
At Champions, we believe learning shouldn’t just happen during the school day. We offer a fun environment where kids can explore art, theatre, language, reading, math, STEM and more outside of class. Our daily homework help can boost academic performance, too.
Enrollment is now OPEN at your school! ENROLL TODAY and schedule your child. We will do all that we can to avoid a waitlist and we will work to welcome your student into the program as quickly as possible. Space is limited!
Please click this link for more information: SPS Enroll Now 2020-21
Questions? Please call Family Support at 1-800-246-2154
Meal Services
The district established a process to ensure all students receive meals each week, even though we plan to offer remote learning at the start of the school year.
Applications for Free or Reduced Meal Benefits
Cost (breakfast and lunch meal box; per week):
- No cost for students through June 2021.
- Families who attend a Community Eligibility Provision school listed below are asked to complete a Household Information Report.
- Adler Elementary, Stevenson Elementary, Vandenberg World Cultures Academy, Levey Middle School, Thompson K-8 International, Kennedy Learning Center, Southfield Regional Academic Campus, and ASPIRE Leadership Academy
Food Service over Spring Break
- On Thursday, March 25th, the special population students will be able to leave the building with a snack and dinner for the evening. If they are interested in receiving food over Spring Break, they can pick up a meal box on Friday, March 26th at the locations below.
- Friday, March 26th will be a normal distribution day with bus deliveries and the curbside locations below:
- Southfield High School for the Arts & Technology (24675 Lahser Rd), 10am-1pm & 4-6pm
- Levey Middle School (25300 W Nine Mile Rd), 10 am-1 pm
- Thompson K-8 International Academy (16300 Lincoln Dr), 10 am-1 pm
- The week of Spring Break there will be NO BUS DELIVERIES ON FRIDAY, APRIL 2nd. Meal boxes will be distributed from the above locations ON THURSDAY, APRIL 1st.
Meal boxes consist of 7 days' worth of breakfast, lunch, snack, and supper.
Meal distribution schedule:
- On Fridays: The district will distribute meals (breakfast and lunch) based on the number of instruction days weekly via the sites/schools below.
Meal distribution site:
Levey Middle School
25300 W. 9 Mile Road, Southfield, MI 48033
Fridays, 10 a.m to 1 p.m.
Southfield High School for the Arts & Technology
24675 Lahser Road, Southfield, MI 48033
Fridays, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Thompson K-8 International Academy
16300 Lincoln Drive, Southfield 48076
Fridays, 10 a.m to 1 p.m.
updated 3.24.21
Technology
Before the school year begins, the district will survey families to identify tech needs for each student, including computers and internet hotspots. Devices will be available to support online learning for staff and students.
We also know that not all families have reliable internet access at home. The district is exploring options for securing Wi-Fi hotspots for some of our students to ensure they have the tools they need to learn remotely.
All scheduled distributions are closed for students who need to borrow a computer or other technology. If you still need a computer or other technology, please reach out to the Oakland Schools Service Desk via phone at (248) 209-2060, email at osservicedesk@oakland.k12.mi.us or online ticket submission/LiveChat. The Oakland Schools technology team will schedule a day and time to pick up.
Technology Issues? For technical help on a device you have received, please contact the Oakland Schools Service Desk via phone at (248) 209-2060, email at osservicedesk@oakland.k12.mi.us or online ticket submission/LiveChat.
updated 9.22.20
Athletics and Extracurricular Activities
Winter contact sports have been able to practice since January 6, 2021, but only with non-contact activities. Per an announcement by the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA), schools may begin full practice activities in the winter contact sports of girls and boys basketball, competitive cheer on February 8, 2021, with some precautions to continue limiting the spread of COVID-19.
Please visit the athletic webpage for additional information.
updated 2.8.21
Student Support
The Student Support Network is an advocate and mediator for students who need additional resources to support behavioral/social goals or need a trusted adult for advice and guidance in non-academic matters.
The process outlined below affords district families access to mobile health services.
Easterseals (Support for All Buildings)
For current individuals/clients accessing services, Easterseals is offering telehealth. This can be completed through a smartphone, tablet or computer. For those individuals that do not have access to the internet, Easterseals is offering telephonic services. This process may be done on a case by case situation. Individuals can call (248) 475-6300 for an appointment.
For new individuals/clients, please call the (248) 475-2150 to get scheduled for intake. Easterseals will offer intake using telehealth and will continue to provide services using a telehealth platform.
Psychiatrists and doctors are using telehealth as well, please call (248) 475- 6300 for an appointment.
EasterSeals Contact:
Jennifer Thayer, LMSW, CAADC
Program Manager
Office: (248) 475.6307 | Fax: (248) 475.6370 | jthayer@essmichigan.org
2399 E. Walton Blvd., Auburn Hills, MI 48326 | www.EastersealsMichigan.com
CNS Healthcare Mobile Services (Support for University Middle and High School Academies and MacArthur K-8 University Academy)
CNS Healthcare is equipped and ready to offer services via phone or Microsoft Teams. Therapist Madeleine Blum will connect with students she is currently working to offer needed support.
For new adults, children, and families intakes, please contact Amy Stern, LMSW Program Manager, at (248) 409-4155.
CNS Healthcare
Office: (248) 745-4900 | Fax: (248) 994-8005
279 Summit Drive Waterford, MI 48328 | www.cnshealthcare.org
Ascension Michigan School-Based Health Centers
Ascension Michigan School-Based Health Centers are offering virtual medical and mental services to students Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The medical services available are COVID-19 symptoms, follow up visits, medication refills, rash, acne, allergies/sinusitis/URI, pediatric constipation, asthma refills, contact dermatitis, eye complaint, fever, influenza, pediatric gastroenteritis, headache, insect bites, nose bleeds, otitis externa, skin infection, and health education sessions. The mental health services provided are treatment for anxiety, trauma, grief, behavioral/mental health education, psychoeducation, mindfulness, coping skills, and depression.
Individuals can access the service by calling (248) 398-0199 or by emailing Nurse Practitioner Rasanda Dorsey at rasanda.dorsey@ascension.org or the Behavioral Health Counselor Darryl Allen at darryl.Allen@ascension.org.
The Health Center will not provide on-site care. Parents/Guardians will need to provide verbal or written consent for services.
Return to School News
