In order to provide a safe and inclusive space where all people are valued and respected, we must stand against bias, hate, and prejudice. 

Today's update is information-dense; however, I want to provide you with the full picture of where we are at in terms of current virus rates and resulting quarantines in our schools as we head into our last week before Spring Break.

The Clarkston Community Schools Board of Education recently approved the district's 2021-2022 school year student calendar.

As the 2021-2022 school year approaches, Clarkston Community Schools is providing families an opportunity to decide if they would like their student(s) to continue with their current learning model or request a transfer to a different learning model in the coming school year.

After communicating plans to introduce additional distance learning days last Friday, I was presented with compelling public feedback that suggests that for many, distance learning is solely a crisis education tool, and that now is not the time to reinvent its role for instructional innovation.

The past year demanded that we adapt quickly to teaching and learning remotely, and I'm interested in looking at potential ways we can use this experience to continue to innovate and grow as a school district.

As we head into Mid-Winter Break, I remain cautiously optimistic. We are holding strong three weeks into in-person learning. Virus rates in our immediate area continue to trend in a positive direction; staff and student quarantine levels are stable and manageable, and more than 35% of our staff has secured an appointment to be vaccinated or are already in the vaccination cycle.