M.P.S. schedules virtual learning days amid COVID test shortage
Midland Public Schools will briefly move to virtual learning next week, as a result of an ongoing COVID test shortage among Michigan schools.
Schools will be closed on Monday, Jan. 24 so teachers can prepare for virtual learning. Two virtual days are then scheduled for Jan. 25 and 26, with in-person learning set to resume Jan. 27.
In a special edition communique issued Thursday, Jan. 20, Superintendent Michael Sharrow announced that the district is moving to a short period of “flexible scheduling.” He said multiple factors are making it difficult to maintain in-person learning, including staffing shortages, close contacts, and positive COVID cases.
One primary reason for the scheduling change is a shortage of COVID tests, which could result in schools not receiving their next shipments according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. M.P.S. has utilized close contact tracing and test-to-stay protocols to help facilitate in-person learning while continuing to strongly encourage masking for students, faculty and staff.
“Without that shipment to Midland PS, we will run out of tests early next week,” Sharrow said in the communique.
However, Sharrow went on to say that a decline in cases by February is likely, according to modelling of the current COVID spike in the state.
“It is our hope that further interruptions to in-school learning will not be needed for the remainder of the 2021-22 school year,” Sharrow said.
On Tuesday, Feb. 1, the district is set to review the COVID situation in the community and determine whether or not to go virtual again for Feb. 4 and 7.
Michael Piwowarski covers education, including higher ed and Midland Public Schools, for the City Paper.