Rockford Students Will Begin First 3 Weeks of School Online

With back-to-school season here more and more districts are beginning to announce their reopening plans and Rockford Public Schools are the latest to reveal their plans.

When students begin the new school year at Rockford they'll be staying put for the first few weeks. Superintendent, Dr. Mike Shibler, posted a video about the details or their reentry plan and from August 24 until September 11, students will do 100% remote learning. This is to ensure safety for both staff and students.

Based on the Governor's executive orders and recommendations from the Kent County Health Department, the next step would be to reopen schools for in-person learning. However, that will be up to parents to decide if they feel comfortable sending their kids back.

If kids go back it will be back to school five days a week. Otherwise, online learning will continue via a third-party service. Rockford teachers will oversee and supervise the program.

If for some reason the state is moved back to Phase 3 (meaning schools will be required to close) the superintendent promises a "robust" online program where teachers will still be in their classrooms but lessons will be live-streamed. All students will receive the appropriate materials needed. Hotspots will also be created throughout the district for families who don't have access to the internet or WiFi.

Once in the building, all staff and students (K-12) will be required to wear masks. In addition, hand sanitizing stations will be set up throughout schools, classrooms will be sanitized after each use, isolation rooms for sick children, plexiglass will provided for every classroom, and COVID-19 testing kits will be available [if needed] for staff and students. Busses will also be sterilized between every run and every night; only two students will be allowed per seat.

All parents will receive a letter in the mail detailing the back-to-school plan and it will also be up on the district website here on Tuesday, 8/11.

A couple weeks ago, GRPS revealed that students will do the first 9 weeks of school from home, while the Grand Haven district is giving parents the option of choosing between online and in-person learning.