MPSConnect is a convenient communications tool for you to connect with me. Every message comes to my desktop. Either I or another MPS staff members will do all we can to reply to your message within the next work day.
Michael E. Sharrow, Superintendent
MPSConnect Link: https://www.midlandps.org/content2/706
August 30, 2021 Volume 9 - Edition 05
Midland PS District Vision Statement
Lead with respect, trust and courage.
Ensure an equitable, collaborative and inclusive culture.
Enable all to achieve success.
Thank you to the MPS students, staff, family members and community members who have emailed the Midland Public Schools Board of Education and/or emailed me personally since the release of the Special Edition Communique Saturday evening.
The MPS classroom outbreak is recorded in three schools and is particularly high at Adams Elementary. As a matter of fact, this outbreak has affected enough teaching staff that it may make staffing difficult. Please know we will continue to monitor COVID numbers very closely. When the COVID numbers warrant, it is our intent to return to strongly recommending masking allowing for parent preference.
As we stated in Saturday's SE Communique, "MPS will continue to review these protocols and current COVID case data with the MCDPH no less than weekly. Additional changes to our health protocols could be implemented at any time depending on community and in-school COVID tends."
Please refer to the Midland PS COVID Frequently Asked Questions document. Here is the link:
https://www.midlandps.org/docs/district/depts/10/Covid-19/MPS_COVID_FAQs.pdf
Federal Law mandates masks because school buses are considered public transportation!
For adults & students over 12 years old.
SE Communique regarding updated health protocols emailed to students, staff & families on Saturday, August 28:
https://sites.google.com/midlandps.org/082821secommunique/home
Midland PS COVID Flow Chart:
https://www.midlandps.org/docs/district/Covid-19/COVIDStudentFlowchart.pdf
Midland County Department of Public Health COVID Quick Reference Guide for Schools:
https://www.midlandps.org//COVID_MCDPH_Quick_Ref_Guide
COVID Vaccine Clinic at HH Dow High School September 8
Those students and adults not yet vaccinated who are ages 12 and older are welcome (and encouraged) to attend the COVID Vaccine Clinic on September 8 from 6:00-7:30 pm at HH Dow High School
The Midland County Department of Public Health has opened online scheduling for this Clinic. Please click on this link to register: https://www.co.midland.mi.us/HealthDepartment/COVIDVaccineInformation.aspx
Midland PS had a positive, productive first week with 7,700+
Atoms, Explorers, Crusaders, Chipmunks, Pioneers, Bulldogs, Wolverines, Huskies, Vikings, Chargers & Chemics.
Getting back into the swing of the school year isn't always easy.
Thank you, MPS families, for your support!
HAPPY LABOR DAY, MPS!
REMINDER ...
No school Friday or Monday (September 3 & 6).
Have a safe, smile-filled long Labor Day holiday weekend!
PSAT & SAT -- 2021-22
JUNIORS:
Every fall, Midland Public Schools administers the PSAT/NMSQT to all juniors; we will do so again this fall.
ALL 11th Grade students will take the PSAT/NMSQT on Tuesday, October 26, 2021
(DO NOT COMPLETE SURVEY BELOW)
GRADES 9, 10, 12:
Recent legislation signed by Governor Whitmer contains language that requires districts to make available the PSAT 8/9 for Grade 9, PSAT/NMSQT for Grade 10, and SAT for Grade 12 in Fall 2021.
Students are only eligible to take the test listed below for their grade level and cannot take a different test.
Testing Schedule for both HH Dow High and Midland High Students:
SAT (without essay) – offered to 12th grade students who wish to retest: Wednesday, October 13, 2021
PSAT 9 – offered to 9th grade students who wish to retest: Tuesday, October 19, 2021
PSAT/NMSQT – offered to 10th grade students who wish to retest: Tuesday, October 26, 2021
IMPORTANT NOTES:
~ The tests listed above for grades 9, 10 & 12 are optional (NOT required).
~ There are no makeup dates for these tests.
~ Grades 9, 10 & 12 students who wish to retest MUST complete the survey by clicking their school name below before Sept. 9!
~ Testing will take place in the student’s home school.
Survey Deadline: Thursday, September 9, 2021 for students in Grades 9, 10, 12:
Survey Links: Dow High School OR Midland High School
Social-Emotional Wellbeing for Students and Adults
In our 2021-22 Monday Communiques, we will regularly include resources from our counseling staff, student support specialists, and others.
Helping kids/teens make friends (& ways to build a supportive classroom culture):
https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/36_questions_that_can_help_kids_make_friends
Importance of Self-Compassion for Teachers:
https://mindfuleducators.mindful.org/2019/08/21/why-self-compassion-is-crucial-for-teachers/
TedTalk- Kristen Neff on Benefits of Self-Compassion:
Chartwells is the Midland PS Food Service Provider.
The 2021-22 school meal information and free & reduced application and documents
are now available on the MPS website: www.midlandps.org > students > food_service
Click on this link to complete the free & reduced application: https://www.lunchapp.com/
Thank you, St. Brigid's Members!
Thank you to the members of St. Brigid Catholic Church for thinking of Midland Public Schools' students with their recent ingathering of school supplies, clothing, backpacks, snacks and more to kick off the new school year. The MPS elementary students will put your gifts to very good use!
St. Brigid's members have very graciously collected school supplies for MPS students for the past several years!
WE NEED YOUR HELP ... Child/Family Contact Information:
Please log into Home Access Center ASAP to confirm/change your child(ren)'s contacts, address, phone numbers, etc. It is required that schools have "proof of residency" for each student every time they move. A copy of a utility bill with the parent/guardian current name and address would serve as documentation. It is very important that this information is kept up to date so you don't miss any information from the school or should the school need to contact you in case of emergency.
Link to HAC: https://hac.midlandps.org/HomeAccess/Account/LogOn?ReturnUrl=%2fHomeAccess%2f
If you have any questions about HAC, please contact your child(ren)'s school office. School office phone numbers are listed on the "District Details" page of this weekly Communique.
"Our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children's future."
-- John F. Kennedy