COVID-19 Resources

April 2, 2020

Gov. Whitmer Announces K-12 School Buildings to Remain Closed Through End of School Year

Gov. Whitmer released an executive order closing K-12 school buildings  across Michigan through the end of the academic year. While this means that face-to-face learning is done for the school year, districts will be required to create alternative learning plans and provide distance learning to students in some form. Each district's plan will be developed individually to address the unique needs of their student population with guidance and approval from Kent ISD.

Please refer to your individual district for their plan going forward which should be should be implemented in mid to late April. While plans will vary by district, learning methods may include a combination of phone, internet, paper packets, public access television and other tools. Note that the Governor's order indicates that students will not be penalized for inability to participate in learning due to lack of access or other barriers during the closure.

The full text of the order can be found on Michigan.gov:  Executive Order 2020-35

March 23, 2020

Gov. Whitmer Announces "Stay Home, Stay Safe" Executive Order

Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that in order to slow the spread of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Michigan, she is directing all Michigan businesses and operations to temporarily suspend in-person operations that are not necessary to sustain or protect life. The order also directs Michiganders to stay in their homes unless they’re a part of that critical infrastructure workforce, engaged in an outdoor activity, or performing tasks necessary to the health and safety of themselves or their family, like going to the hospital or grocery store.

This order takes effect on March 24, 2020 at 12:01 am, and continues through April 13, 2020 at 11:59 pm. School closures will thus extend until at least April 13.

Read the full press release - Executive Order 2020-21

Updated March 27, 2020, 3:05 pm

Food Plans for Kent ISD School Districts

Families are invited to pick up meals for any child ages 18 and under, and students with disabilities ages 18-26 with an active IEP. The Michigan Department of Education recently granted flexibility in the federal guidelines so schools are allowed to serve meals which families can simply come pick up.

Most districts are offering both breakfast and lunch foods and many are packaging multiple meals to pick up. Some districts are also offering delivery or neighborhood drop-off, so families may want to visit their district’s website or social media for additional details. Ending dates vary, so families are encouraged to ask for that information at the school. For information on other food assistance in Kent county, visit helpkent.org's interactive food distribution map:

See the full article for details.

A message from the Kent County Health Department

As the number of people who test positive for COVID-19 (Coronavirus) begins to climb in Kent County, inevitably we will have students, staff, and family members who will be among those infected by COVID-19.  Our school is in frequent communication with the Kent County Health Department during this difficult time.  The Health Department is responsible for monitoring the incidence of COVID-19 in our community.  Those who test positive are contacted by the Health Department and those people who meet the CDC definition of a close contact are also notified.  The Health Department staff orients cases and their close contacts about the need for isolation or quarantine.  While only a portion of our community will require quarantine,  all of us should be monitoring for symptoms,  maintaining a safe distance from other people whenever possible,  staying home unless it is essential to go out, and washing hands and surfaces frequently.  These steps are good for everyone, whether you have had exposure or not.  As a school, we will not be informing our school families every time one of our students tests positive unless there is a specific reason to do so. We want to respect the confidentiality of each family.  The Health Department is very diligent in their contact investigation and surveillance.  Since school has not been in session for thirteen days, the Kent County Health Department has informed us that the likelihood that your child was exposed to COVID-19 in the school setting is extremely low.   If you have specific questions or concerns, please reach out to the Health Department at 632-7228.

Kent ISD's highest concern will always be the welfare of our students, staff and school communities.  We are coordinating directly and daily with Kent County Health Department and local and regional superintendents to ensure safety for all. Please know we are doing everything possible to prepare for and prevent the spread of Coronavirus and all other communicable diseases.

While a new type of illness can be scary, we can protect our students, teachers, and the broader community by using simple everyday actions that protect people from other types of respiratory viruses. Our staff are working carefully to encourage these simple and effective habits:

• Stay home except for essential activities. Per the governor's order, individuals should remain home except to conduct essential work, obtain groceries and conduct other activities indicated in the order. Find more information regarding the stay at home order on Michigan.gov.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Retain a social space between yourself and others.
• Cover coughs and sneezes. Use a tissue to cover coughs and sneezes, then dispose of the tissue. When a tissue is not available, cough or sneeze into your elbow.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces or objects. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work or school, especially when someone is ill. Find additional CDC resources on how to clean and disinfect schools here.
• Wash hands for 20 seconds. Washing hands often under clean, running water can help prevent the spread of germs. For more guidance see the CDC: When and How to Wash Your Hands. If you cannot wash your hands, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60-95% alcohol.
• Symptoms of COVID-19 may be mild or severe and include:
  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Shrtness of breath

Informational Resources

Find updates, best practices for individuals and organizations and other information about COVID-19 from these sources:

• Kent County Health Department 
• Michigan Department of Heath and Human Services
• Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
• World Health Organization 

For Schools

• CDC Guidance for School Administrators

For the Public

• A Guide to Basic Preventative Measures
• Frequently Asked Questions about Coronavirus Answered by WHO
• FAQs Answered by CDC