UCS COVID-19 UPDATES PAGE
March 25, 2020 Update
Based on feedback received from students and parents, we have developed the following list of frequently asked questions. As information continues to rapidly evolve and additional plans are developed, this page will be updated to reflect those changes and/or additions. We appreciate your patience as all questions cannot be answered at this time.
Parents with specific questions about their student are encouraged to contact their school principals or teachers.
How will the school closure impact testing?
The U.S. Department of Education has waived the state assessment requirement for all school districts for the current school year. The waiver must still be approved by the Michigan legislature.
For Advanced Placement students, face-to-face exam administrations will not take place. Students will take a 45-minute online free-response exam at home. Some students may want to take the exam sooner rather than later, while the content is still fresh. Other students may want more time to practice. For each AP subject, there will be two different testing dates. The full exam schedule, specific free-response question types that will be on each AP Exam, and additional testing details will be available by April 3.
For UAIS students, the International Baccalaureate examinations will not be held this year. Graduates will be awarded a diploma that reflects their course of study. More information is expected at the end of this month.
What if I do not have a PowerSchool Parent Portal login?
Please contact your school principal who will assist you with logging in.
How will the district continue to provide learning experiences to students?
During the closure, online learning provides students with structure, a personal connection to their teachers and school and consistency. The activities support our parents and students with content that provides enrichment and reinforcement. While at this time online learning is enrichment, if we are closed for an extended period, we may begin using the system for students to earn credit in courses.
UCS Online Learning aims to give each student a sense of structure, a personal connection to their teachers and school, and learning consistency. Activities are being provided through Schoology and are intended to support our parents and students with content that provides student enrichment and reinforcement.
Students with Individualized Education Plans (IEP’s) are being provided enrichment and review activities along with their general education peers. UCS Special Services staff are making direct contact with parents to address immediate needs regarding services, support, evaluations and holding IEP meetings.
What if I need to borrow a computer?
UCS is providing online learning for all students. If your student does not have access to a device, please contact us at 586-797-1116. At a later time, we will be making devices available for students to borrow and will contact you with additional information.
What if I do not have internet access?
For families needing assistance in receiving internet access, Comcast/Xfinity is offering free internet service for the next two months to families who qualify. For more information, please see this link:
https://www.internetessentials.com/
I read recently about the State of Michigan not counting online learning towards instructional hours. How does that impact UCS online learning?
Michigan schools are in a mandated state closure due to COVID-19, and as such, the Department of Education issued a memorandum clarifying for districts that online instruction would not count toward the 180 days of instruction for pupil accounting purposes. Since the number of days of instruction are determined by state law, this issue must be addressed by the state legislature. We are working with the Michigan Department of Education and legislators to address this issue.
While discussions are evolving, it is important that students continue their learning through online experiences, or the instructional packets provided.
How will the state mandated closure impact school calendars into the future?
Calendar determinations have not been made at this time. Educators, state lawmakers and the Michigan Department of Education are continuing discussions on the impact the closure will have on the school calendar. We will continue to communicate updates and please visit our website:
http://www.uticak12.org.
What is the best way to reach Utica Community Schools?
Utica Community Schools is following the “Stay Home, Stay Safe” restrictions. The best way to communicate with a Utica Community Schools staff member is by e-mail. While essential functions of the district are continuing, school buildings and offices are closed. You can access staff e-mails at this link:
https://www.uticak12.org/staff_directory
Parents who have viewed the step-by-step video tutorials and still need assistance logging into Schoology accounts should submit a Tech Support request. Requests are answered in the order that they are received. The form can be found on the Online Learning page, along with the video tutorials and resource materials. Visit the page at
https://www.uticak12.org/onlinelearning.
What is the status of the Food Distribution Program?
The food distribution program is continuing. For more information, please see this link and follow social media for future updates. We will continue to welcome adult volunteers to assist with this service. For the health of all those involved in this service, only assigned volunteers and food service staff can be on site during the food distribution. Interested community members must sign up at this
link.
What about major events, such as assemblies, graduations, and proms?
The district understands the importance of district events and celebrations to our students’ school experiences. We will continue to monitor the situation and make decisions as more information becomes available.
Is new student registration being conducted at this time?
District and school offices are closed to the public. No registrations are being accepted at this time. If you have specific questions regarding registration, please contact Dr. Robyne Thompson, Director of Pupil Services at
robyne.thompson@uticak12.org. Please visit this
link for more information.
March 25, 2020
UCS COVID-19 Updates