Coronavirus (COVID-19) Awareness

November 20, 2020 LOCS Families- We would like to thank you for your support during this unusual week. While we all understood the return to remote could be challenging for students, our staff is impressed with how well they have taken the change in stride and adapted to learning from home again. As Superintendent Ben Kirby mentioned in Monday’s note to the community, such large decisions affecting so many students are made with great care and consideration, including a number of factors. LOCS was directed to close the high schools, so that was a decision made by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. The primary issue for LOCS shifting to remote at the lower levels (elementary and middle school) was, due to growing numbers of students and staff members in quarantine, we no longer had enough staff members to provide our quality level of education and have an adult presence with the students. As the COVID-19 numbers grew in our community outside of the schools, the virus began affecting the ability to work inside of them. The adjustments continued today as the LOCS Early Childhood programs also shifted to the remote setting due to significant student and staff quarantines. Hopefully that will all improve in the coming weeks and we can have all students return on our target date of December 9. The details on the return evaluation process was shared by Mr. Kirby at Thursday’s Board of Education meeting. That is a decision driven by multiple factors, including the spread of the COVID-19 virus in our community and our evaluation of the potential spread within our schools if we returned. For now, we are hopeful. A reminder that the LOCS calendars remain the same for the significant dates set forth when it was released last spring. Next week will feature school on just Monday and Tuesday, with Wednesday-Friday off for students to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday. Please make health and safety decisions to benefit our community and help contain the spread of COVID-19, so our students can return in-person when it is safe. Stay well, LOCS Administration   REMOTE LEARNING UPDATES   The LOCS students and staff will remain in a remote setting through Tuesday, December 8. The LOCS Administration continues to monitor the landscape and the COVID-19 situation. REMOTE LEARNING PLANS FOR ALL GRADES/PROGRAMS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Elementary students will remain in Zoom classes, using Seesaw for their lessons and work. Classroom teachers will provide more specifics. Students will follow the in-person schedules of their buildings on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, in the remote setting. Times -- Stadium Drive, Paint Creek, Webber from 8:35 a.m.-3 p.m. Times -- Carpenter, Orion Oaks, Blanche Sims from 9:10 a.m.-3:35 p.m. Wednesday – Every Wednesday will be a half-day for students.  Wednesday morning (8:35-11:35 a.m. for early start schools and 9:10 a.m.-12:10 p.m. for late start schools) will feature synchronous (live teaching) in the core subjects.  Wednesday afternoon will not have any live learning for students, but electives/specials will be available as recordings. MIDDLE SCHOOL: Middle school students will return to using Microsoft Teams to meet with classes for daily live lessons and assignments/feedback. Students will continue their class times from in-person learning, beginning with 1st or 4th hour. There will be no STAR class. The daily schedule will follow the in-person times: 8:27 a.m.-2:10 p.m. Office hours will be provided from 2:15-3:05 p.m. each day. HIGH SCHOOL (LOHS and Learning Options): High school students will return to using Microsoft Teams to meet with classes for daily live lessons and assignments/feedback. The daily schedule will follow the in-person times: 9:40 a.m.-2:35 p.m. All students will attend remote sessions daily, Monday through Friday (no Green/White teams). Student support/Office hours will be provided 8-8:45 a.m. daily. SPECIAL EDUCATION/PINE TREE CENTER: Special Education programming from early childhood to post-secondary will be remote, as outlined in the student’s IEP and/or contingency learning plans. EARLY CHILDHOOD: The Early Childhood programs have shifted into the remote setting, as shared today, November 20. More information will be shared by the Early Childhood staff.   DRAGON VIRTUAL UPDATES   Elementary DV Our elementary DV students are doing an outstanding job! Here are just a couple of notes. Pictures will be rescheduled when a picture day can be safely implemented. Communication regarding the reschedule will be communicated to DV families at a later time. Conferences will be held via Zoom on December 8 and 10 from 4-8 p.m. each evening. Your teacher will reach out with opportunities to sign up for time slots. Wednesday half days will continue through the end of the school year. This is just a rearrangement of instructional minutes to open up time for staff to meet with small groups or individuals, provide feedback to students and families, analyze assessment data, and engage in professional development.  Secondary DV We are off to a great start! For both levels, courses on Edgenuity follow the school calendar. Therefore, no activities are scheduled over the holiday break but students are welcome to continue working. Middle Level Remember, core hours include live lessons following the alternating schedule. Elective classes are through Edgenuity and involve NO live sessions. Students should have logged in and started their electives by now. Family Portal information has been communicated. If you have not received a family portal code, please contact Dragon Virtual program coordinator Nick Coccia.  High School A full course load of Edgenuity classes will mirror the amount of time an in person student would spend at school and working on homework.  Tests require unlocks to begin. Our staff have been great about checking reviews and unlocks frequently but please be patient if unlocks are coming outside of school hours. Questions? Please reach out to dragonvirtual@lok12.org.   WEEKLY UPDATES   CONTINUED COVID-19-TEST COMMUNICATION  Thank you to all families who have kept LOCS schools informed when students have been exposed to someone who is being tested for COVID-19. Please continue to keep school principals informed of any exposures, testing, and COVID-19 test results as that will help prepare us for when we return to in-person learning. You can call or email your student’s school principal with the details. With the goal of returning in-person on December 9 it will be important to stay on top of the quarantine list during this remote learning time so we know who will safely be able to return to school.   PARENT UNIVERSITY The Lake Orion Community Schools Parent University program is back for 2020-21 in a virtual format for the entire school year. The program is an opportunity for parents to understand concepts to support their child’s learning. The school year will feature sessions for different grades, depending on the topic. Zoom links will be shared in the week learning up to the session. Each session will be recorded and posted on the Parent University page within 48 hours following the event. The program will have one opportunity for families next week, on Monday, November 23 for Grades K-8. The session will run from 6:30-7:30 p.m. is titled "More than Just Pressing Play. Ways Kindle Can Make a Difference in Your Child’s Life." To attend this event, please, click on the below Zoom link below just before 6:30 p.m. on November 23, 2020:  Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2193362249?pwd=enR1Tm5ibUJkalJlQ2pjSWdQTS9kUT09 Meeting ID: 219 336 2249  Passcode: dimeo    TECHNOLOGY/DEVICES We appreciate your patience during this unprecedented time of online learning and want you to know we are working hard to ensure your technology concerns and requests are being handled quickly and effectively. Ways to Enter Service Tickets  Customer Portal/LiveChat:  servicedesk.oakland.k12.mi.us Phone: 248-209-2060 (also listed on district device labels)  Email: servicedesk@oakland.k12.mi.us  Curbside tech support is available by appointment which is set up through the ticketing system. Curbside support is located at the CERC building, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.  High School students are permitted to contact the Service Desk for technology support requests.    PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES Parent/Teacher Conferences will still occur during the first semester, though the dates have changed. The middle school conferences will occur on December 1 and December 3 while the elementary school conferences are now scheduled for December 8 and December 10. The conferences will be conducted online and communications with specifics will be come from the student’s school.    MEALS DISTRIBUTION Following guidance from the United States Department of Agriculture, LOCS has expanded the food distribution program and will continue to offer food at no charge to all school-age children until the end of the 2020-21 school year or until funding runs out.  The pick-up meals distributions are held on Monday and Wednesdays, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the CERC Building and Waldon Middle School, in each bus loop. Each distribution will provide enough weekday meals to last until the next distribution. Information is available on the LOCS Food Service page. The Blessings in a Backpack Lake Orion group will be providing weekend bags of food during LOCS food distribution on Wednesdays while we are in a remote setting. Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, this week there will be only one distribution, on Monday, providing meals for the five days of the week. Blessings in a Backpack will be available on Monday next week. If you are a family receiving SNAP, there are additional benefits to receive.   COMMUNICATIONS Lake Orion Community Schools continues to communicate with families via School Messenger. If you believe your family is not receiving messages from the district or from your student’s school administration, please check your family’s email settings to make sure you are subscribed to all messages and, if there is still a problem, please reach out to the building secretary for assistance.   CALENDAR   Monday, November 23 Meals Distribution, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. (CERC and Waldon Middle School) Parent University (K-8) – More than Just Pressing Play. Ways Kindle Can Make a Difference in Your Child’s Life, 6:30 p.m. November 25-27 No School – Thanksgiving Break December 1, 3 Middle School Parent/Teacher Conferences (Virtual) December 2 Parent University (K-12) – Mindfulness in Everyday Life for Adults and Youth  December 8, 10 Elementary School Parent/Teacher Conferences (Virtual) December 8 Parent University (6-12) – Reluctant Reader? Books to Get Your Student Reading Again December 9 Parent University (DK-1) – Early Literacy Support – Using materials in your home to create un and engaging tools to support your young reader and writer December 15 Parent University (K-12) – Teaching Kids Cultural Competency December 16 Board of Education Meeting, 7 p.m. December 21-January 1 No School – Holiday Break

After Message (Remote learning details)

November 16, 2020

Dear LOCS Families: 

Earlier today, we announced that LOCS will close its school buildings to in-person learning beginning Tuesday and shift to remote learning for students.

The increase in COVID-19 positive cases and students and staff in quarantine creates an inconsistent learning environment for many of our students. With positive test results now taking up to 3-5 days, it is becoming more challenging to determine positive cases and quarantine situations in an adequate time period.

Returning to the remote format will hopefully prevent the spread of COVID-19 and provide our students with increased consistency.

This morning, LOCS had 62 staff members and 310 students in quarantine, along with 14 full classrooms across the district in quarantine, due to at least one positive test. Beginning today, the entire Stadium Drive Elementary school was closed, due to a large increase in students and staff placed in quarantine over the weekend.

While we have successfully put several safety practices in place, public health officials support that moving to remote learning at this time is the best way to protect our students and staff.

All in-person classrooms will return to the remote model, similar to the learning process followed from the start of the 2020-21 school year. All schools (except Stadium Drive, which already began this process today) will follow the plans below.

 

Tuesday, November 17:

• All Dragon Virtual elementary and high school students will continue with classes as scheduled. Dragon Virtual middle school students will have asynchronous (independent) work from their core class teachers.
• All remote (formerly in-person) students will do asynchronous (independent) work provided by teachers.

 

Wednesday, November 18-Tuesday, December 8

REMOTE LEARNING BEGINS FOR ALL GRADES

• DRAGON VIRTUAL: Continues as previously scheduled for middle level and high school. Elementary Dragon Virtual will follow the elementary schedule below.

 

• ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Elementary students will return to Zoom classes, using Seesaw for their lessons and work. Classroom teachers will provide more specifics. Students will follow the in-person schedules of their buildings on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, in the remote setting.
  • Times -- Stadium Drive, Paint Creek, Webber from 8:35 a.m.-3 p.m.
  • Times -- Carpenter, Orion Oaks, Blanche Sims from 9:10 a.m.-3:35 p.m.
  • Wednesday – Every Wednesday will be a half-day for students. 
    • Wednesday morning (8:35-11:35 a.m. for early start schools and 9:10 a.m.-12:10 p.m. for late start schools) will feature synchronous (live teaching) in the core subjects. 
    • Wednesday afternoon will not have any live learning for students, but electives/specials will be available as recordings.

 

• MIDDLE SCHOOL: Middle school students will return to using Microsoft Teams to meet with classes for daily live lessons and assignments/feedback. Students will continue their class times from in-person learning, beginning with 1st or 4th hour. There will be no STAR class.
  • The 4th through 6th hours will meet on Wednesday, November 18.
  • The daily schedule will follow the in-person times: 8:27 a.m.-2:10 p.m. Office hours will be provided from 2:15-3:05 p.m. each day.

 

• HIGH SCHOOL (LOHS and Learning Options): High school students will return to using Microsoft Teams to meet with classes for daily live lessons and assignments/feedback. The daily schedule will follow the in-person times: 9:40 a.m.-2:35 p.m. All students will attend remote sessions daily, Monday through Friday (no Green/White teams). Student support/Office hours will be provided 8-8:45 a.m. daily.

 

• SPECIAL EDUCATION/PINE TREE CENTER: Special Education programming from early childhood to post-secondary will be remote, as outlined in the student’s IEP and/or contingency learning plans.

 

• EARLY CHILDHOOD: The Early Childhood programs will remain on the in-person schedule with the current safety and health precautions. Pre-K classes may move to remote learning if necessary. The Early Childhood Department will communicate to parents if that situation arises.

 

Another note:

FOOD DISTRIBUTION: The LOCS Food Service Department will continue to provide meals for students on Mondays and Wednesdays from 11 a.m.-12 p.m., during the remote learning period. The distribution will have one more date at Lake Orion High School, this Wednesday, November 18.

Beginning Monday, November 23, the distributions will be held at the CERC Building and Waldon Middle School. There will only be a Monday distribution during the Thanksgiving week, and each student will be given five days of meals. The Monday and Wednesday schedule will resume the following week.

 

While we are disappointed that we must close our buildings to in-person learning, we are pleased with our students’ progress so far this school year. We are committed to making our remote learning program just as successful. Our teachers will be reaching out to students and parents to provide further details about our next steps. 

As a parent or guardian, we know you are eager to find ways to protect your children and family from COVID-19. Please emphasize frequent hand washing, covering coughs and sneezes, avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth, wearing a face-covering in public, and cleaning frequently touched surfaces at home. Most importantly, keep you and your children home if you are sick. 

Thank you for your help in reinforcing good hygiene practices, and for your patience and flexibility. I share your frustration with the impact of COVID-19 on our community and schools. We will evaluate our staffing situation and continue conversations with public health officials to determine when it is safe to reopen the schools for in-person instruction. Until then, be sure to ask your child questions about how his/her remote learning is going and be sure to share any concerns with your child’s teacher.

 

Stay well, 

Ben Kirby

LOCS Superintendent

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Morning Message (Remote announcement)

November 16, 2020

 

Dear LOCS Families: 

 

As you know, there has been a recent increase in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in our area and, with an increased number of students and staff in quarantine over the weekend, LOCS can no longer operate in the capacity necessary for in-person learning.

When Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services shared the new epidemic order on Sunday, LOCS was directed, along with the rest of the state, to shut down the high schools beginning Wednesday.

After lengthy examination, LOCS has decided to place all in-person students in Grades DK-12 into remote learning. 

On Tuesday, November 17, all students (except Stadium Drive Elementary) will have asynchronous (independent) learning. 

Beginning Wednesday, November 18, running tentatively through December 8, all students will be in remote learning with live instruction.

Dragon Virtual students will remain in their current program and schedule.

Special education programming from early childhood to post-secondary will also be remote, as outlined in their IEP and/or contingency learning plans.

The LOCS Administration will continue to monitor the situation in case that time period needs to be adjusted and will update families, if necessary.

More details about the transition will be shared later today.

We regret the inconvenience and disappointment this causes. LOCS is thankful to our students and parents who have embraced the safety measures that allowed us to maintain in-person learning over the past few weeks. 

 

Sincerely,

Ben Kirby

LOCS Superintendent

November 13, 2020 LOCS Families- After months of waiting, Lake Orion Community Schools achieved a wonderful milestone this week, as all of our students who desired in-person learning returned to our school buildings. The first week of middle and high school students was a success as our students adapted well to the health and safety protocols, especially the mask wearing and understood their role in helping keep our school community safe. The energy in the elementary classrooms continued to flourish in the third week of in-person learning, allowing the class communities to thrive as students continued to interact with their teachers and work in collaboration. Our Dragon Virtual students have embraced their online classroom teachers and are finding a rhythm as well. As Superintendent Ben Kirby has shared, the health and safety of our students and staff remains a constant priority. For Mr. Kirby, that involves daily meetings with health professionals, including the Oakland County Health Division, assessing our school data and positive case information. With the OCHD’s support, we continue to believe that our school environment is a safe place for our students and staff as we are following the appropriate mitigation strategies. Most of the positive cases within our district staff and students have originated at community events, so any assistance to limit those interactions will help reduce the case numbers and keep our students in school. As long as we can maintain our current staffing levels, we will provide our current delivery models for students to attend in-person school. We also realize the ever-changing nature of the COVID-19 virus in our state and community and will make appropriate safety decisions regarding in-person learning when necessary. At times, those may seem sudden, but please understand we are sharing as soon as we have appropriate information about classrooms and the district as circumstances arise. LOCS remains proud of our school community's support of the safety and health precautions and hopes to move forward with our school year in the same manner. We appreciate all of our Dragon families making their best efforts in these unusual times. Sincerely, LOCS Administration   IN-PERSON LEARNING UPDATES     TRANSPORTATION Our transportation process has been working well and running smoothly. LOCS just has a few reminders for parents and students: Please have the Clear To Go app ready with the green badge showing as the student approaches the bus, please have their mask already on their face and to remind students that there are assigned seats for a reason, to keep our community safe with contact tracing. Thank you for all of the support in helping the bus operations run smoothly.   MORNING DROP-OFF LOCS is asking for all parents/guardians to be prepared and show patience at the schools’ morning drop-off at elementaries and following the shared procedures at the middle and high school levels. It is a significant help moving the process along if parents pull forward behind the previous car in the line to prevent a backup. Having the Clear To Go app completed ahead of time by parents at the elementary level and students at the secondary level with the phone ready to display, as well as the student ready to leave the car, will also keep everything smooth.   CLEAR TO GO  As in-person learning begins, families will be required to complete the Clear To Go app each day at home, prior to arriving at school. Students riding the bus must show the Clear To Go app before boarding each day. On the page linked here, there are images of the screening process, links to download the app on an iPhone or Android device, frequently asked questions, as well as images on how to connect a student’s device. There is also a how-to video produced by LOCS to assist families in the sign-up process. The health self-screener confirms that the student does not have COVID-19 symptoms and has not been exposed to a COVID-19 positive individual in the previous 14 days. The app will allow families to enter the appropriate email address (student or parent) and connect with the system each day prior to arrival. Upon receiving an email from Clear To Go, parents are asked to enter the system and choose the email preference for their student’s profile. Please try the app as soon as possible so that if you have issues with the app, the LOCS Administration can assist. Contact your student’s building administrator if you need assistance.   FREE AND REDUCED PROGRAM Though all breakfast and lunch meals are free for LOCS students this year, families who need the assistance should still apply for the free and reduced program to qualify for benefits and reductions in other areas of the school programs.   OAKLAND COUNTY CHILD COVID-19 TESTING/HOTLINE Oakland County is offering COVID-19 drive-thru testing for school-age children from 4-17 years old with symptoms. The testing is available by appointment on weekdays by calling 1-800-848-5533 or emailing noc@oakgov.com. Oakland County is also offering a free "Safe For School" Hotline (248-551-4242) for families interested in COVID-19 questions (pre-screening, symptoms, need for testing and high-risk situations.) This can be used for parents to determine if it is appropriate for their student to attend school that day if the student is feeling ill. The hotline is available from 5 a.m.-8 a.m. each Monday-Friday through the end of December. There is also a flowchart to determine if it is safe to send your student to school.   DRAGON VIRTUAL UPDATES   The Dragon Virtual middle school and high school programs launched this week to great success. Now that all levels have their students in the Dragon Virtual program, students are able to begin to get comfortable with the learning environment. Parents/guardians can support their students daily by asking about their assignments and helping keep track of their scheduled sign-on times. Please be on the lookout for an email from Dragon Virtual with Family Portal activation codes. The Edgenuity Family Portal is where parents can monitor the progress, grades, and individual assignments of their students. Parents can also set their preferences for progress reports that will be emailed to their personal email accounts. Make sure that this communication did not fall into Junk or Clutter folders of your email inbox, as this has been happening frequently with past Edgenuity login communications. If current Dragon Virtual students missed the email, please reach out to DragonVirtual@lok12.org. For information about the Dragon Virtual programs, visit LakeOrionSchools.org/DragonVirtual2020 or watch the recordings of the information sessions: High School; Middle School; Elementary School. Registration for Dragon Virtual closed on October 2 and no more students are being admitted to the program.   WEEKLY UPDATES   PARENT UNIVERSITY The Lake Orion Community Schools Parent University program is back for 2020-21 in a virtual format for the entire school year. The program is an opportunity for parents to understand concepts to support their child’s learning. The school year will feature sessions for different grades, depending on the topic. Zoom links will be shared in the week learning up to the session. Each session will be recorded and posted on the Parent University page within 48 hours following the event. The program will have three opportunities for families this week, one each from Grades K-2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-12. Monday, Nov. 16, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Grades K-2 --  Mathematical Foundations https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2823588090?pwd=cC82OUlrL2tSeEZzbHBldFVTckZFZz09 Meeting ID: 282 358 8090 Passcode: 0ArR6L    Tuesday, Nov. 17, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Grades 6-12 --  Executive Functioning Skills: Help Your Student Be Successful in All Learning Environments https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6222390340?pwd=SzdTa0g3V0sxQkdycFZ3aEpDV2puZz09   Thursday, Nov. 19 – 6:30-7:30 p.m., Grades 3-5 -- Executive Functioning Skills: Help Your Student Be Successful in All Learning Environments https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85271446641?pwd=cFI2T2xOa2MwMXcxc3I1b0lSbGIxQT09 Meeting ID: 852 7144 6641 Passcode: ParentU     INSIDE THE DRAGONS The LOCS television show, “Inside the Dragons” debuted its October/November episode this past week. Segments include: the elementary students return to in-person learning, the Lake Orion High School staff’s ability to still offer in-person SAT and PSAT testing despite not conducting in-person learning at that time, the LOHS Thespians putting on a fall show, outdoors at Wildwood Amphitheater, and the new playgrounds at Carpenter and Webber elementaries. The show airs on the ONTV Education Channel and is available on YouTube.     TECHNOLOGY/DEVICES All LOCS in-person students will be utilizing the appropriate device (laptop or iPad) each day for learning, both for in-person learning and the Dragon Virtual program. All in-person students (Grades DK-12) will be transporting the device to and from school each day.   PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES Parent/Teacher Conferences will still occur during the first semester, though the dates have changed. The middle school conferences will occur on December 1 and December 3 while the elementary school conferences are now scheduled for December 8 and December 10. The format will be announced at a later date.   MEALS DISTRIBUTION Following guidance from the United States Department of Agriculture, LOCS has expanded the food distribution program and will continue to offer food at no charge to all school-age children until the end of the 2020-21 school year or until funding runs out. The in-person students will receive the meals at the school buildings each day, while the virtual students can attend the Monday and Wednesday pick-up opportunities. The pick-up meals distributions are held only at Lake Orion High School, in the bus loop, on Monday and Wednesdays, from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Each distribution will provide enough weekday meals to last until the next distribution. Information is available on the LOCS Food Service page.     COMMUNICATIONS Lake Orion Community Schools continues to communicate with families via School Messenger. If you believe your family is not receiving messages from the district or from your student’s school administration, please check your family’s email settings to make sure you are subscribed to all messages and, if there is still a problem, please reach out to the building secretary for assistance.   CALENDAR   Monday, November 16 Meals Distribution, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. (Lake Orion High School) Parent University (K-2) – Mathematical Foundations Tuesday, November 17 Parent University (6-12) – Executive Functioning Skills: Help Your Student Be Successful in All Learning Environments Wednesday, November 18 Meals Distribution, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. (Lake Orion High School) Thursday, November 19 LOCS Board of Education Meeting, 6 p.m. (LOCS Administration Building) Parent University (3-5) – Executive Functioning Skills: Help Your Student Be Successful in All Learning Environments November 23 Parent University (3-5) – More Than Just Pressing Play: Ways a Kindle Can Make a Difference In Your Child's Reading Life November 25-27 No School – Thanksgiving Break December 1, 3 Middle School Parent/Teacher Conferences (new dates) December 2 Parent University (K-12) – Mindfulness in Everyday Life for Adults and Youth  December 8, 10 Elementary School Parent/Teacher Conferences (new dates) December 8 Parent University (6-12) – Reluctant Reader? Books to Get Your Student Reading Again December 9 Parent University (DK-1) – Early Literacy Support – Using materials in your home to create un and engaging tools to support your young reader and writer December 15 Parent University (K-12) – Teaching Kids Cultural Competency December 21-January 1 No School – Holiday Break

November 6, 2020

LOCS Families-

Good afternoon and hopefully your family is doing well.

Today marks the end of the first marking period, meaning we are one quarter of the way through the school year. Though it has been the most unconventional school year any of us can recall, the consistency and passion of our students has reinforced the impact of our community and school district.

The students arrive at school – in-person on online – eager to learn and grow as Dragons and that continues to encourage LOCS staff members at all levels.

While the primary constant is change, our fabulous staff has created the most effective and positive environment for all students. They’ve been proactive despite the uncertainty, adapted when the circumstances have changed and embraced our students (from a distance), to create the best learning environments possible in this time.

As Superintendent Ben Kirby shared earlier this week, the support of our families and community is essential to our students staying in school. The masks, the social distancing, the positive choices while out in the community and in your homes, they all play a role in remaining on our current path.

We look forward to seeing the middle school and high school students in person at our buildings on Monday and launching the Dragon Virtual programs at those levels for the students who selected that option during the late September window.

Sincerely,

LOCS Administration

 

IN-PERSON LEARNING UPDATES

 

PHASED START

The LOCS middle schools will begin in a phased start Monday, November 9, with two groups each attending two days earlier in the week and then all students attending Friday and beyond. Information was shared with middle school families and is available on the school websites.

Lake Orion High School will begin in a hybrid setting the week of November 9 with a Green group and a White group. One group will attend three days the first week and the other two days and they will flip the second week. This schedule will continue until the LOCS Administration deems it safe to return all students to the school at one time.

The In-Person Procedures are explained and demonstrated in an LOCS video and available at LakeOrionSchools.org/ReturnToSchool.

 

 

TRANSPORTATION

The LOCS Transportation Department shared bus times and stops with middle school and high school families earlier this week. If your family did not receive them, please check your spam/clutter folder first, then reach out to the Transportation Department, if necessary.

 

MORNING DROP-OFF

LOCS is asking for all parents/guardians to be prepared and show patience at the schools’ morning drop-off. It is a significant help moving the process along if parents pull forward behind the previous car in the line to prevent a backup. Having the Clear To Go app completed, the phone ready to display, as well as the student ready to leave the car, will also keep everything smooth.

 

CLEAR TO GO 

As in-person learning begins, families will be required to complete the Clear To Go app each day at home, prior to arriving at school. Students riding the bus must show the Clear To Go app before boarding each day.

On the page linked here, there are images of the screening process, links to download the app on an iPhone or Android device, frequently asked questions, as well as images on how to connect a student’s device.

There is also a how-to video produced by LOCS to assist families in the sign-up process.

The health self-screener confirms that the student does not have COVID-19 symptoms and has not been exposed to a COVID-19 positive individual in the previous 14 days.

The app will allow families to enter the appropriate email address (student or parent) and connect with the system each day prior to arrival.

Upon receiving an email from Clear To Go, parents are asked to enter the system and choose the email preference for their student’s profile.

Please try the app as soon as possible so that if you have issues with the app, the LOCS Administration can assist.

Contact your student’s building administrator if you need assistance.

 

FREE AND REDUCED PROGRAM

Though all breakfast and lunch meals are free for LOCS students this year, families who need the assistance should still apply for the free and reduced program to qualify for benefits and reductions in other areas of the school programs.

 

COVID-19 SCHOOL HEALTH ACKNOWLEDGMENT FORM

The Oakland County Health Division is asking all students to complete a health acknowledgment form, to prepare for the period when in-person learning will return. We are asking that families of all students complete the form online, regardless of their plans for in-person learning.

 

OAKLAND COUNTY CHILD COVID-19 TESTING/HOTLINE

Oakland County is offering COVID-19 drive-thru testing for school-age children from 4-17 years old with symptoms. The testing is available by appointment on weekdays by calling 1-800-848-5533 or emailing noc@oakgov.com.

Oakland County is also offering a free "Safe For School" Hotline (248-551-4242) for families interested in COVID-19 questions (pre-screening, symptoms, need for testing and high-risk situations.) This can be used for parents to determine if it is appropriate for their student to attend school that day if the student is feeling ill. The hotline is available from 5 a.m.-8 a.m. each Monday-Friday through the end of December. There is also a flowchart to determine if it is safe to send your student to school.

 

DRAGON VIRTUAL UPDATES

 

Dragon Virtual middle school and high school families should have received their class schedules/plans and Edgenuity information today, prior to the November 9 beginning of the virtual class program.

If current Dragon Virtual students missed the email, please reach out to DragonVirtual@lok12.org.

For information about the Dragon Virtual programs, visit LakeOrionSchools.org/DragonVirtual2020 or watch the recordings of the information sessions: High School; Middle School; Elementary School.

Registration for Dragon Virtual closed on October 2 and no more students are being admitted to the program.

 

WEEKLY UPDATES

 

TECHNOLOGY/DEVICES

All LOCS in-person students will be utilizing the appropriate device (laptop or iPad) each day for learning, both for in-person learning and the Dragon Virtual program. All in-person students (Grades DK-12) will be transporting the device to and from school each day.

 

PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES

Parent/Teacher Conferences will still occur during the first semester, though the dates have changed. The middle school conferences will occur on December 1 and December 3 while the elementary school conferences are now scheduled for December 8 and December 10. The format will be announced at a later date.

 

MEALS DISTRIBUTION

Following guidance from the United States Department of Agriculture, LOCS has expanded the food distribution program and will continue to offer food at no charge to all school-age children until the end of the 2020-21 school year or until funding runs out. The in-person students will receive the meals at the school buildings each day, while the virtual students can attend the Monday and Wednesday pick-up opportunities.

The pick-up meals distributions are held only at Lake Orion High School, in the bus loop, on Monday and Wednesdays, from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Each distribution will provide enough weekday meals to last until the next distribution. Information is available on the LOCS Food Service page.

 

CALENDAR

 

Monday, November 9 Meals Distribution, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. (Lake Orion High School) Wednesday, November 11 Meals Distribution, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. (Lake Orion High School) Week of November 9 Middle/High School In-Person learning, Dragon Virtual begins Thursday, November 19 LOCS Board of Education Meeting, 6 p.m. (LOCS Administration Building) November 16 Parent University (K-2) – Mathematical Foundations November 17 Parent University (6-12) – Executive Functioning Skills: Help Your Student Be Successful in All Learning Environments November 19 Parent University (3-5) – Executive Functioning Skills: Help Your Student Be Successful in All Learning Environments November 23 Parent University (3-5) – More Than Just Pressing Play. Ways a Kindle Can Make a Difference In Your Child's Reading Life December 1, 3 Middle School Parent/Teacher Conferences (new dates) December 2 Parent University (K-12) – Mindfulness in Everyday Life for Adults and Youth  December 8, 10 Elementary School Parent/Teacher Conferences (new dates) December 8 Parent University (6-12) – Reluctant Reader? Books to Get Your Student Reading Again December 9 Parent University (DK-1) – Early Literacy Support – Using materials in your home to create fun and engaging tools to support your young reader and writer December 15 Parent University (K-12) – Teaching Kids Cultural Competency

 

November 4, 2020

Dear LOCS Families-

As Michigan and our country continue to see a rise in COVID-19 positive cases, I am reaching out to ask for your support. Last week energized us all with elementary and Pine Tree Center students returning to the school buildings. To maintain that progress, our community needs to help contain the virus' spread. Each positive case equates to 8 to 10 people in quarantine. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services issued increased guidance last week, limiting gatherings' capacity and re-emphasizing the importance of mask-wearing around any individuals not in your household. These orders resulted from the increased case numbers at the state level, and those numbers are similarly rising locally both in the LOCS school district community boundaries and Oakland County.

Late Friday, Oakland County officially increased its risk level to its most severe (Level E), bringing more stringent school guidelines. I plan to continue with LOCS on the current path, keeping our in-person elementary and Pine Tree Center students in the buildings because of our staff's health and safety protocols. Seeing them work so well last week, especially the mask-wearing, with the students and staff, encourages me that our in-person school community understands there is a safe way to experience school. LOCS has an additional safety level to contain the spread by using the Clear To Go app every day.

Our middle school and high school students are still on schedule to begin in-person learning on November 9, with the same protocols, which will be vigorously enforced. I continue to have weekly meetings with health and medical professionals to discuss the virus's numbers and progress. I continue to discuss the landscape and seek creative, safe ideas with other superintendents in the county. 

We continue to keep the safety and health of our students and staff as a top priority.

The Oakland County Health Division has shared that only two cases in the entire county have been transmitted in a school since the start of this school year. That is a reminder that the virus spread is occurring outside of the schools, not within. The positive cases within our district have originated at community events, so any assistance to limit those interactions will help reduce the case numbers and keep our students in school. This week, OCHD advised us that it is safe for our schools to remain open with our current precautions. With this advice and maintaining our current staffing levels, we will provide our current delivery models. LOCS remains proud of our school community's support of the safety and health precautions and hopes to move forward with our school year in the same manner.

Yours in education,

 

Ben Kirby

LOCS Superintendent

October 30, 2020 What a wonderful week. After more than seven months of waiting, Lake Orion Community Schools elementary students returned to in-person learning this week. Though the environment changed due to COVID-19 safety precautions, the students embraced the differences, willingly wearing their masks, following the directional arrows and signage (many with the arms-out Frankenstein walk to keep a distance from their friends) and understanding that cleanliness was to protect our whole community and not just themselves. We appreciate the families who completed the Clear To Go app each morning, ready to present at the bus stop or drop-off driveway, who prepared their students for the altered procedures, and who understood that keeping sick children home was essential. We are thankful for our staff members, who have worked tirelessly for weeks to educate our children in yet another new environment, who kept the classroom clean and guided our young students through the changes while keeping them on track in our rigorous LOCS curriculum. Reimaging in-person learning during the COVID-19 era was a task incorporating every corner of the district from custodians to administrators to staff associates to classroom teachers and support staff members. The bus drivers understood their importance as the first welcome each morning and the final goodbye each afternoon. Our team is making this happen every day. For the Dragon Virtual students and staff, shifting to a new class brought its challenges, but everyone understood how the online environment could work for them, building new class communities. In 10 days, we’ll expand our circle to include the middle school and high school students and show all of LOCS how we can continue to grow with the district’s elite education in a safe in-person environment well as in our Dragon Virtual program. Thank you to everyone who made this week a success and those who continue to prepare LOCS for more progress in the coming weeks. Yours in education, Ben Kirby LOCS Superintendent   IN-PERSON LEARNING UPDATES PHASED START The elementary schools began with a successful week, taking the phased start in the first four days into today’s opportunity to bring the full school communities together. The middle schools will begin in a phased start Monday, November 9, with two groups each attending two days earlier in the week and then all students attending Friday that week and beyond. Information was shared with middle school families last week and more details will come next week from the school principals. Lake Orion High School will begin in a hybrid setting with a Green group and a White group the week of November 9. One group will attend three days the first week and the other two days and they will flip the second week. This schedule will continue until the LOCS Administration deems it safe to return all students to the school at one time. The In-Person Procedures are explained and demonstrated in an LOCS video and available at LakeOrionSchools.org/ReturnToSchool.   TRANSPORTATION The LOCS Transportation Department will share bus times and stops with middle school and high school families next week.   MORNING DROP-OFF LOCS is asking for all parents/guardians to show patience at the schools’ morning drop-off. It is a significant help moving the process if parents pull forward behind the previous car in the line to prevent a backup. Having the Clear To Go app completed, the phone ready to display as well as the student ready to leave the car will also keep everything smooth.   CLEAR TO GO  As in-person learning begins, families will be required to complete the Clear To Go app each day at home, prior to arriving at school. Students riding the bus must show the Clear To Go app before boarding each day. On the page linked here, there are images of the screening process, links to download the app on an iPhone or Android device, frequently asked questions, as well as images on how to connect a student’s device. There is also a how-to video produced by LOCS to assist families in the sign-up process. The health self-screener confirms that the student does not have COVID-19 symptoms and has not been exposed to a COVID-19 positive individual in the previous 14 days. The app will allow families to enter the appropriate email address (student or parent) and connect with the system each day prior to arrival. Upon receiving an email from Clear To Go, parents are asked to enter the system and choose the email preference for their student’s profile. Please try the app as soon as possible so that if you have issues with the app, the LOCS Administration can assist. Contact your student’s building administrator if you need assistance.   FREE AND REDUCED PROGRAM Though all breakfast and lunch meals are free for LOCS students this year, families who need the assistance should still apply for the free and reduced program to qualify for benefits and reductions in other areas of the school programs.   COVID-19 SCHOOL HEALTH ACKNOWLEDGMENT FORM The Oakland County Health Division is asking all students to complete a health acknowledgment form, to prepare for the period when in-person learning will return. We are asking that families of all students complete the form online, regardless of their plans for in-person learning.   OAKLAND COUNTY CHILD COVID-19 TESTING/HOTLINE Oakland County is offering COVID-19 drive-thru testing for school-age children from 4-17 years old with symptoms. The testing is available by appointment on weekdays by calling 1-800-848-5533 or emailing noc@oakgov.com. Oakland County is also offering a free "Safe For School" Hotline (248-551-4242) for families interested in COVID-19 questions (pre-screening, symptoms, need for testing and high-risk situations.) This can be used for parents to determine if it is appropriate for their student to attend school that day if the student is feeling ill. The hotline is available from 5 a.m.-8 a.m. each Monday-Friday through the end of December. There is also a flowchart to determine if it is safe to send your student to school.   DRAGON VIRTUAL UPDATES Dragon Virtual middle school and high school families will receive more details about the launch of their program next week, prior to the November 9 beginning of the virtual class experience. For information about the Dragon Virtual programs, visit LakeOrionSchools.org/DragonVirtual2020 or watch the recordings of the information sessions: High School; Middle School; Elementary School.   WEEKLY UPDATES TECHNOLOGY/DEVICES All LOCS in-person students will be utilizing the appropriate device (laptop or iPad) each day for learning, both for in-person learning and the Dragon Virtual program. All in-person students (Grades DK-12) will be transporting the device to and from school each day. PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES Parent/Teacher Conferences will still occur during the first semester, though the dates have changed. The middle school conferences will occur on December 1 and December 3 while the elementary school conferences are now scheduled for December 8 and December 10. The format will be announced at a later date.   MEALS DISTRIBUTION Following guidance from the United States Department of Agriculture, LOCS has expanded the food distribution program and will continue to offer food at no charge to all school-age children until the end of the 2020-21 school year or until funding runs out. The in-person students will receive the meals at the school buildings each day, while the virtual students can attend the Monday and Wednesday pick-up opportunities. The pick-up meals distributions are held only at Lake Orion High School, in the bus loop, on Monday and Wednesdays, from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Each distribution will provide enough weekday meals to last until the next distribution. Information is available on the LOCS Food Service page.   CALENDAR Week of November 2 Middle School/High School students receive information related to In-Person/Dragon Virtual start Monday, November 2 Meals Distribution, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. (Lake Orion High School) Tuesday, November 3 Elementary Schools (In-Person and Dragon Virtual) Closed – Staff Professional Development Wednesday, November 4 Middle Schools Closed – Staff Professional Development Meals Distribution, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. (Lake Orion High School) Week of November 9 Middle/High School In-Person learning, Dragon Virtual begins Thursday, November 19 LOCS Board of Education Meeting, 6 p.m. (LOCS Administration Building) December 1/3 Middle School Parent/Teacher Conferences (new dates) December 8/10 Elementary School Parent/Teacher Conferences (new dates)

 

October 23, 2020

Hello Dragon Families,

When I came to LOCS in July, I heard about the talented teachers, dedicated administrators, and passionate parents and students.

Over the past six weeks, I've seen that up close. Teachers have embraced the remote learning transition, which is parallel to starting a new job. Parents and students have adjusted to a different environment. Our administrators have worked two jobs, guiding the online platform while preparing for our district's significant next steps.

What I have witnessed brings us to next week's exciting transition, with over 80% of our Elementary and Special Education students returning safely to in-person learning.

Our facilities are prepared, our teachers are ready, and our students are eager to rediscover the interaction that makes classroom lessons so valuable. Combined with the Dragon Virtual elementary program's launch and creating those new class communities, Monday should be a great step forward.

Please understand I continue to keep all LOCS students and staff's health our top priority as we progress. I meet weekly with the Oakland County Health Division, multiple local medical professionals, other superintendents whose districts are already open and investigate the COVID-19 numbers as they are shared. Our plans continue on the same path towards in-person learning, resuming Monday for the elementary and Special Education students and November 9 for the middle and high school students. I will continue to observe the trends and will provide an updated report to the Board of Education at next week's in-person meeting and feel confident LOCS has the protocols and procedures in place for a safe environment for our students and staff.

Thank you for your support as we navigate these circumstances and for trusting us with your students.

Yours in Education, 

Ben Kirby

LOCS Superintendent

 

IN-PERSON LEARNING UPDATES

PHASED START

The elementary schools will begin in a phased start Monday, October 26, with two groups each attending two days early next week and all students attending Friday that week and beyond. Information and details were shared by the schools with families throughout this past week via email.

The middle schools will begin in a phased start Monday, November 9, with two groups each attending two days earlier in the week and then all students attending Friday that week and beyond. Information was shared with middle school families on Thursday via email.

Lake Orion High School will begin in a hybrid setting with a Green group and a White group the week of November 9. One group will attend three days the first week and the other two days and they will flip the second week. This schedule will continue until the LOCS Administration deems it safe to return all students to the school at one time.

The In-Person Procedures are explained and demonstrated in an LOCS video and available at LakeOrionSchools.org/ReturnToSchool.

TRANSPORTATION

The LOCS Transportation Department shared the bus times and stops with Elementary and Special Education students on Thursday and Friday via email. If your family did not receive the email, please check the spam/clutter folder and if it is still not located, contact the Transportation Department.

CLEAR TO GO 

When in-person learning begins, families will be required to complete the Clear To Go app each day at home, prior to arriving at school. Students riding the bus must show the Clear To Go app before boarding each day.

On the page linked here, there are images of the screening process, links to download the app on an iPhone or Android device, frequently asked questions, as well as images on how to connect a student’s device.

There is also a how-to video produced by LOCS to assist families in the sign-up process.

The health self-screener confirms that the student does not have COVID-19 symptoms and has not been exposed to a COVID-19 positive individual in the previous 14 days.

The app will allow families to enter the appropriate email address (student or parent) and connect with the system each day prior to arrival.

Upon receiving an email from Clear To Go, parents are asked to enter the system and choose the email preference for their student’s profile.

Please try the app as soon as possible so that if you have issues with the app, the LOCS Administration can assist.

Contact your student’s building administrator if you need assistance.

FREE AND REDUCED PROGRAM

Though all breakfast and lunch meals are free for LOCS students this year, families who need the assistance should still apply for the free and reduced program to qualify for benefits and reductions in other areas of the school programs.

COVID-19 SCHOOL HEALTH ACKNOWLEDGMENT FORM

The Oakland County Health Division is asking all students to complete a health acknowledgment form, to prepare for the period when in-person learning will return. We are asking that families of all students complete the form online, regardless of their plans for in-person learning.

OAKLAND COUNTY CHILD COVID-19 TESTING/HOTLINE

Oakland County is offering COVID-19 drive-thru testing for school-age children from 4-17 years old with symptoms. The testing is available by appointment on weekdays by calling 1-800-848-5533 or emailing noc@oakgov.com.

Oakland County is also offering a free "Safe For School" Hotline (248-551-4242) for families interested in COVID-19 questions (pre-screening, symptoms, need for testing and high-risk situations.) This can be used for parents to determine if it is appropriate for their student to attend school that day if the student is feeling ill. The hotline is available from 5 a.m.-8 a.m. each Monday-Friday through the end of December. There is also a flowchart to determine if it is safe to send your student to school.

 

DRAGON VIRTUAL UPDATES

Dragon Virtual elementary school families should have received their class assignments and teacher information this week. If your student is registered in Dragon Virtual and the information did not arrive, please email DragonVirtual@lok12.org with your student’s name, grade and the email address of the parent who signed up the student during the Sept. 28-Oct. 2 period. Registration for the Dragon Virtual program closed on October 2.

For information about the Dragon Virtual programs, visit LakeOrionSchools.org/DragonVirtual2020 or watch the recordings of the information sessions: High School; Middle School; Elementary School.

 

WEEKLY UPDATES

TECHNOLOGY/DEVICES

All LOCS in-person students will be utilizing the appropriate device (laptop or iPad) each day for learning, both for in-person learning and the Dragon Virtual program. All in-person students (Grades DK-12) will be transporting the device to and from school each day.

PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES

Parent/Teacher Conferences will still occur during the first semester, though the dates have changed. The middle school conferences will occur on December 1 and December 3 while the elementary school conferences are now scheduled for December 8 and December 10. The format will be announced at a later date.

MEALS DISTRIBUTION

Following guidance from the United States Department of Agriculture, LOCS has expanded the food distribution program and will continue to offer food at no charge to all school-age children until the end of the 2020-21 school year or until funding runs out.

Beginning next week, on Monday, October 26, the meals distributions will be held only at Lake Orion High School, in the bus loop, still on Monday and Wednesdays, from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Each distribution will provide enough weekday meals to last until the next distribution. Information is available on the LOCS Food Service page.

NICHE RANKINGS

Lake Orion Community Schools continues to stand out as one of the state’s top school districts. Niche.com ranked LOCS No. 22 in the state of Michigan through its ranking formula, which relies on publicly available school data and public reviews of the district.

 

CALENDAR

Week of October 26	Elementary In-Person learning, Dragon Virtual begins
Monday, October 26	Meals Distribution, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. (Lake Orion High School)
Wednesday, October 28	Meals Distribution, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. (Lake Orion High School)
Tuesday, November 3	Elementary Schools (In-Person and Dragon Virtual) Closed – Staff Professional Development
Wednesday, November 4	Middle Schools Closed – Staff Professional Development
Week of November 9	Middle/High School In-Person learning, Dragon Virtual begins
December 1/3	Middle School Parent/Teacher Conferences (new dates)
December 8/10	Elementary School Parent/Teacher Conferences (new dates)

Hello Dragon Families,

Our LOCS team has been hard at work on the front lines and behind the scenes to continue to provide a high-quality education for our students. The remote learning is moving along routinely, as many have adapted to this new instruction method. Our team has been addressing staff assignments, class/course lists, and bus routes this week, and information will soon be provided to families. We have added some additional teachers to address our needs while delivering in-person instruction concurrently with Dragon Virtual.

We are eager to welcome the elementary students on October 26, 2020. There will need to be a high-level of collaboration as we make the transition for students as there are several new processes and procedures that have been put in place to provide a safe and clean environment. The secondary students will transition to in-person learning on November 9, 2020, with similar changes. Next week, there will be additional information that will continue to support families who are choosing the in-person option. Please view the video that we created to provide a glimpse at some of the preparation and changes we have put into place. We have finalized our Dragon Virtual Staff, who will begin on the same dates.

The COVID-19 data has been trending positively over the previous four weeks. This week shows an increase in our area's positive tests, attributed to the 40-to-60-year-old age group. We will continue to monitor the positive tests and other important factors as we move toward the transition and for the remainder of the school year. We all have a part in the success of our ability to provide continuous programming for our students. I continue to collaborate with the county superintendents, area superintendents, Oakland County Health Division, and area medical providers weekly to discuss the virus' status in our community and the county.

All in-person students must have a contingency plan in place if they, or their classroom, must quarantine due to illness. These types of situations have been occurring, and often, at a moment's notice. Unfortunately, there will not be "lead time" given to those impacted as time is of the essence when considering the transmission of the virus. I can't emphasize enough having a plan in place if we must interrupt the in-person instruction. In the case of a quarantined classroom, we plan to revert to remote teaching, which is what we are currently implementing. Keep in mind; this will occur if a classroom or school building is closed and not on an individual student basis. Dragon Virtual programming will continue as scheduled regardless of the in-person status.

Each month, at the Board of Education meetings, I will update the COVID-19 status in our community and the Extended COVID-19 Learning Plan. The Board meeting on October 28, 2020, will be conducted in-person and will be posted accordingly following the orders implemented by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and Oakland County Health Division. There are recent legislative changes that will support the meetings as we proceed.

We sincerely appreciate everyone's support and understanding as we partner to navigate the many challenges and changes provided during the 2020-21 school year.  

Yours in Education,  

Ben Kirby  

LOCS Superintendent

 

IN-PERSON LEARNING UPDATES

• The elementary and middle schools will begin in a phased start with two groups each attending two days early in the week and all students attending Friday that week and beyond. Details will be shared as the October 26 week approaches for elementary schools and prior to the November 9 week for middle schools.
• Lake Orion High School will begin in a hybrid setting with a Green group and a White group the week of November 9. One group will attend three days the first week and the other two days and they will flip the second week. This schedule will continue until the LOCS Administration deems it safe to return all students to the school at one time.

The In-Person Procedures are explained and demonstrated in an LOCS video and available at LakeOrionSchools.org/ReturnToSchool.

 

CLEAR TO GO 

When in-person learning begins, families will be required to complete the Clear To Go app each day at home, prior to arriving at school. Students riding the bus must show the Clear To Go app before boarding each day.

On the page linked here, there are images of the screening process, links to download the app on an iPhone or Android device, frequently asked questions, as well as images on how to connect a student’s device.

The health self-screener confirms that the student does not have COVID-19 symptoms and has not been exposed to a COVID-19 positive individual in the previous 14 days.

The app will allow families to enter the appropriate email address (student or parent) and connect with the system each day prior to arrival.

Upon receiving an email from Clear To Go, parents are asked to enter the system and choose the email preference for their student’s profile.

Please try the app prior to October 23 so that if you have issues with the app, we can assist before the first day of in-person learning.

Contact your student’s building administrator if you need assistance.

 

FREE AND REDUCED PROGRAM

Though all breakfast and lunch meals are free for LOCS students this year, families who need the assistance should still apply for the free and reduced program to qualify for benefits and reductions in other areas of the school programs.

 

COVID-19 SCHOOL HEALTH ACKNOWLEDGMENT FORM

The Oakland County Health Division is asking all students to complete a health acknowledgment form, to prepare for the period when in-person learning will return. We are asking that families of all students complete the form online, regardless of their plans for in-person learning.

 

OAKLAND COUNTY CHILD COVID-19 TESTING/HOTLINE

Oakland County is offering COVID-19 drive-thru testing for school-age children from 4-17 years old with symptoms. The testing is available by appointment on weekdays by calling 1-800-848-5533 or emailing noc@oakgov.com.

Oakland County is also offering a free "Safe For School" Hotline (248-551-4242) for families interested in COVID-19 questions (pre-screening, symptoms, need for testing and high-risk situations.) This can be used for parents to determine if it is appropriate for their student to attend school that day if the student is feeling ill. The hotline is available from 5 a.m.-8 a.m. each Monday-Friday through the end of December. There is also a flowchart to determine if it is safe to send your student to school.

 

DRAGON VIRTUAL UPDATES

For information about the Dragon Virtual programs, visit the Dragon Virtual website or watch the recordings of the information sessions: High School; Middle School; Elementary School. Registration for the Dragon Virtual program closed on October 2.

More information for Dragon Virtual families will be shared next week.

 

WEEKLY UPDATES

OCTOBER 23 ELEMENTARY “HALF DAY”

As the LOCS staff members make final preparations for the start of in-person learning and Dragon Virtual, the final day of Elementary School Remote Learning on Friday, October 23 will only have live instruction in the morning, from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. The afternoon period, from 12-3 p.m., will feature asynchronous (independent) learning.

 

LOCS-DEVICE INSURANCE

Families interested in purchasing insurance for their student’s LOCS-supplied device will be able to during the new purchase window from October 19-23. There will be no extension following this window. The important information will be shared early next week on the process to purchase the insurance.

All LOCS in-person students will be utilizing the appropriate device (laptop or iPad) each day for learning, both for in-person and Dragon Virtual. All in-person students (Grades DK-12) will be transporting the device to and from school each day.

 

PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES

Parent/Teacher Conferences will still occur during the first semester, though the dates have changed. The middle school conferences will occur on December 1 and December 3 while the elementary school conferences are now scheduled for December 8 and December 10. The format will be announced at a later date.

 

MEALS DISTRIBUTION

Following guidance from the United States Department of Agriculture, LOCS has expanded the food distribution program and will continue to offer food at no charge to all school-age children until the end of the 2020-21 school year or until funding runs out.

The current process of meal distributions each Monday and Wednesday from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Blanche Sims Elementary and Waldon Middle School will continue through October 21, this week’s distributions.

Beginning with the week of October 26, when the elementary schools return to In-Person Learning, the meals distributions will be held only at Lake Orion High School, still on Monday and Wednesdays. The times will be determined. Each distribution will provide enough weekday meals to last until the next distribution.

 

NICHE RANKINGS

Lake Orion Community Schools continues to stand out as one of the state’s top school districts. Niche.com ranked LOCS No. 22 in the state of Michigan through its ranking formula, which relies on publicly available school data and public reviews of the district.

 

CALENDAR

Monday, October 19	Meals Distribution, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. (Blanche Sims/Waldon)
Wednesday, October 21	Meals Distribution, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. (Blanche Sims/Waldon)
Friday, October 23	Elementary students' schedule: Morning live learning, Afternoon asynchronous (independent) learning
Week of October 19	Elementary class placements and Transportation routes distributed to families
Week of October 26	Elementary In-Person learning, Dragon Virtual begins
Wednesday, October 28	LOCS Board of Education meeting
Week of November 2	Middle School schedule distribution/class placements
Tuesday, November 3	Elementary Schools closed – Staff Professional Development
Wednesday, November 4	Middle Schools closed – Staff Professional Development
Week of November 9	Middle/High School In-Person learning, Dragon Virtual begins
December 1/3	Middle School Parent/Teacher Conferences (new dates)
December 8/10	Elementary School Parent/Teacher Conferences (new dates)

 

Dear LOCS Families-

We’ve had an exciting week as we continue to prepare for the return of students to the school buildings and the kickoff of the Dragon Virtual program in the coming weeks.

The school district community’s support and thoughtful questions as we move forward has enabled us to consider parts of the program that are important to our families. Even as we progress to the shift in a few weeks, we continue to monitor our neighboring districts who have in-person students and the lessons they have learned from that experience.

In the meantime, our teachers continue to thrive in the remote learning environment, finding ways to create unique content and different ways to connect with students.

Please note that on Wednesday, October 14, there will be no learning of any kind for elementary and middle school students. All of the LOCS staff members at those levels will spend the day in professional development learning.

Information about the in-person and Dragon Virtual programs is located at LakeOrionSchools.org/ReturnToSchool, including an updated Frequently Asked Questions list.

DRAGON VIRTUAL

For information about the Dragon Virtual programs, visit the Dragon Virtual website or watch the recordings of the information sessions: High School; Middle School; Elementary School. Registration for the Dragon Virtual program closed on October 2.

IN-PERSON LEARNING

The elementary and middle schools will begin in a phased start with two groups each attending two days early in the week and the whole school attending Friday that week and beyond. Details will be shared as the October 26 week approaches for elementary schools and prior to the November 9 week for middle schools.

Lake Orion High School will begin in a hybrid setting with a Green group and a White group the week of November 9. One group will attend three days the first week and the other two days and they will flip the second week. This schedule will continue until the LOCS Administration deems it safe to return all students to the school at one time.

 

A few updates for this week:

CLEAR TO GO

When in-person learning begins, students will be asked to complete the Clear To Go app each day prior to arriving at school.

The health self-screener confirms that the student does not have COIVD-19 symptoms and has not been exposed to a COVID-19 positive individual in the previous 14 days.

The in-person students are being loaded into the system today so the app will allow families to enter the appropriate email address (student or parent) and connect with the system each day prior to arrival.

Upon receiving an email from Clear To Go, parents are asked to enter the system and choose the email preference for their student’s profile.

MEALS DISTRIBUTION

Following guidance from the United States Department of Agriculture, LOCS has expanded the food distribution program and will continue to offer food at no charge to all school-age children until the end of 2020 or until funding runs out.

The current process of meal distributions each Monday and Wednesday from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Blanche Sims Elementary and Waldon Middle School will continue through October 21. 

Beginning with the week of October 26, when the elementary schools return to In-Person Learning, the meals distributions will be held only at Lake Orion High School, still on Monday and Wednesdays. The times will be determined. Each distribution will provide enough weekday meals to last until the next distribution.

COVID-19 SCHOOL HEALTH ACKNOWLEDGMENT FORM

The Oakland County Health Division is asking all students to complete a health acknowledgment form, to prepare for the period when in-person learning will return. We are asking that families of all students complete the form online, regardless of their plans for in-person learning.

OAKLAND COUNTY CHILD COVID-19 TESTING/HOTLINE

Oakland County is offering COVID-19 drive-thru testing for school-age children from 4-17 years old with symptoms. The testing is available by appointment on weekdays by calling 1-800-848-5533 or emailing noc@oakgov.com.

Oakland County is also offering a free "Safe For School" Hotline (248-551-4242) for families interested in COVID-19 questions (pre-screening, symptoms, need for testing and high-risk situations.) This can be used for parents to determine if it is appropriate for their student to attend school that day if the student is feeling ill. Beginning Monday, October 12, the hotline will be available from 5 a.m.-8 a.m. each Monday-Friday through the end of December.

CALENDAR

Monday, October 12	Meals Distribution, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. (Blanche Sims/Waldon)
Wednesday, October 14	Elementary/Middle Schools Closed – Day Off – Staff Professional Development Meals Distribution, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. (Blanche Sims/Waldon)
Mid-October	Class placements and Transportation routes distributed to families
Week of October 26	In-Person learning, Dragon Virtual begins
Wednesday, October 28	LOCS Board of Education meeting
Tuesday, November 3	Elementary Schools Closed – Staff Professional Development

 

Thank you and have a great weekend,

LOCS Administration

Dear LOCS Families-

Thank you for all of the interest and questions this week as families made a decision between the In-Person learning and Dragon Virtual options.

With the Dragon Virtual registration having closed this afternoon, and no late registrations accepted, families can begin planning for the next phase of the school year.

A reminder of the schedule:

• Elementary students start the parallel In-Person and Dragon Virtual programs the week of October 26.
• Middle and High School students begin the parallel In-Person and Dragon Virtual programs the week of November 9.

Information about each program is located at LakeOrionSchools.org/ReturnToSchool, including an updated Frequently Asked Questions list.

DRAGON VIRTUAL

For information about the Dragon Virtual programs, visit the Dragon Virtual website or watch the recordings of this week’s information sessions: High School; Middle School; Elementary School.

IN-PERSON LEARNING

The elementary and middle schools will begin in a phased start with two groups each attending two days early in the week and the whole school attending Friday that week and beyond. The schools will share details as the October 26 week approaches.

Lake Orion High School will begin in a hybrid setting with a Green group and a White group. One group will attend three days the first week and the other two days and they will flip the second week. This schedule will continue until the LOCS Administration deems it safe to return all students to the school at one time.

MEALS DISTRIBUTION

Following guidance from the United States Department of Agriculture, LOCS has expanded the food distribution program and will continue to offer food at no charge to all school-age children until the end of 2020 or until funding runs out.

The current process of meal distributions each Monday and Wednesday from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Blanche Sims Elementary and Waldon Middle School will continue through October 21. 

Beginning with the week of October 26, when the elementary schools return to In-Person Learning, the meals distributions will be held only at Lake Orion High School, still on Monday and Wednesdays. The times will be determined. Each distribution will provide enough weekday meals to last until the next distribution.

COVID-19 SCHOOL HEALTH ACKNOWLEDGMENT FORM

The Oakland County Health Division is asking all students to complete a health acknowledgment form, to prepare for the period when in-person learning will return. We are asking that families of all students complete the form online, regardless of their plans for in-person learning.

OAKLAND COUNTY CHILD COVID-19 TESTING

Oakland County is offering COVID-19 drive-thru testing for school-age children from 4-17 years old with symptoms. The testing is available by appointment on weekdays by calling 1-800-848-5533 or emailing noc@oakgov.com.

ATHLETICS/FOOTBALL

Lake Orion Community Schools high school and middle school students are returning to athletics, under the health and safety procedures put forth by the state of Michigan executive orders related to athletics.

As part of that process, high school football games will follow different spectator guidelines. With state-imposed spectator restrictions, only two spectators per participant will be admitted, and they will be provided with special tickets. The general public will not be allowed to attend the football games or observe the games on LOCS property during the contest, per the Governor’s executive order regarding public gatherings.

All home games will be live-streamed for a subscription fee at dragonbroadcasting.org.

 

CALENDAR

Monday, October 5	Meals Distribution, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. (Blanche Sims/Waldon)
Wednesday, October 7	Meals Distribution, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. (Blanche Sims/Waldon)
Wednesday, October 14	LOCS Board of Education Meeting
Mid-October	Class placements and Transportation routes distributed to families

Dear LOCS Families-

After weeks of preparation, we were able to share the LOCS Return to School plan with you this week.

After gathering multiple data points, including conversations with health officials and the Oakland County Health Division, tracking the COVID-19-positive cases count trends in our school district boundaries, observing the success of other local in-person districts so far and determining a safe re-entry plan for ours students, the LOCS Administration arrived at this opportunity. The most important information: In-Person Learning and Dragon Virtual will begin next month.

• Elementary students start the parallel In-Person and Dragon Virtual programs the week of October 26.
• Middle and High School students begin the parallel In-Person and Dragon Virtual programs the week of November 9.

We have appreciated hearing from many community members since the plan was released Thursday morning and are attempting to answer as many of the questions as we are able to at this time. Please remember all of our information is located at LakeOrionSchools.org/ReturnToSchool, including an updated Frequently Asked Questions list.

We’ll run through a few of the key items in today’s message, along with other district happenings.

As always, thank you for your support as we try to create the safest, most productive learning environment with a continuity of programming for your students, either in-person or in an online setting.

 

DRAGON VIRTUAL

• All interested students must re-register, regardless of the selection made in July.
• Registration for all Dragon Virtual students occurs from September 28-October 2. Links will be posted at 8 a.m. Monday at LakeOrionSchools.org/DragonVirtual2020.
• There will be no late registrations accepted.
• The elementary commitment is for the full school year, through June, to minimize the transitions on the students.
• The middle and high school commitment is for the rest of the first semester (November 9-January 22.) A new choice can be made for second semester.
• Zoom information sessions will be held next week (links also on Dragon Virtual page.)
  • September 28
    • 7 p.m. -- Elementary Dragon Virtual Informational Parent Meeting via Zoom​
  • September 29
    • 6 p.m. -- Middle School Dragon Virtual Informational Parent Meeting via Zoom​
    • 7:30 p.m. -- High School Dragon Virtual Informational Parent Meeting via Zoom

 

IN-PERSON LEARNING

The elementary and middle schools will begin in a phased start with two groups each attending two days early in the week and the whole school attending on Friday and beyond.

Lake Orion High School will begin in a hybrid setting with a Green group and a White group. One group will attend three days the first week and the other two days and they will flip the second week. This will continue until the LOCS Administration deems it safe to return all students to the school at one time.

 

MEALS DISTRIBUTION

Following guidance from the United States Department of Agriculture, LOCS has expanded the food distribution program and will continue to offer food at no charge to all school-age children until the end of 2020 or until funding runs out.

The current process of distributions each Monday and Wednesday from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Blanche Sims Elementary and Waldon Middle School will continue through October 21. Each distribution will provide enough weekday meals to last until the next distribution.

Beginning with the week of October 26, when the elementary schools return to In-Person Learning, the distributions will be held only at Lake Orion High School, still on Monday and Wednesdays. The times will be announced as the date approaches.

 

COVID-19 SCHOOL HEALTH ACKNOWLEDGMENT FORM

The Oakland County Health Division is asking all students to complete a health acknowledgment form, to prepare for the period when in-person learning will return. We are asking that families of all students complete the form online, regardless of their plans for in-person learning.

 

INSIDE THE DRAGONS

The monthly “Inside the Dragons” television show, sharing the excitement around LOCS, debuted its September episode, featuring an introduction of LOCS Superintendent Ben Kirby. Other segments include a look at the orientation days and start of the school year in a remote setting, how the Lake Orion High School athletics programs worked through the health and safety restrictions and a look at how the Bond construction projects are progressing.

 

OAKLAND COUNTY CHILD COVID-19 TESTING

Oakland County is offering COVID-19 drive-thru testing for school-age children from 4-17 years old with symptoms. The testing is available by appointment on weekdays by calling 1-800-848-5533 or emailing noc@oakgov.com.

 

ATHLETICS/FOOTBALL

Lake Orion Community Schools high school and middle school students are returning to athletics, under the health and safety procedures put forth by the state of Michigan executive orders related to athletics.

As part of that process, high school football games will follow different spectator guidelines. With state-imposed spectator restrictions, only two spectators per participant will be admitted, and they will be provided with special tickets. The general public will not be allowed to attend the football games or observe the games on LOCS property during the contest, per the Governor’s executive order regarding public gatherings.

All home games will be live-streamed for a subscription fee at dragonbroadcasting.org.

 

CALENDAR

Monday, September 28	Dragon Virtual registration opens, 8 a.m. Meals Distribution, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Elementary Dragon Virtual info session, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, September 29	Middle School Dragon Virtual info session, 6 p.m. High School Dragon Virtual info session, 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, September 30	Meals Distribution (Blanche Sims/Waldon), 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Friday, October 2	Dragon Virtual registration closes, 4 p.m. NO LATE REGISTRATIONS ACCEPTED

 

Thank you and have a great week,

LOCS Administration

September 18, 2020

Dear LOCS Families-

As we conclude another week of Remote Learning, I want to share some more information as we move towards the potential option for in-person learning.

At next week’s Board of Education meeting, I will present the next steps in those plans, sharing details about how the processes and procedures will work with the in-person students and Dragon Virtual option.

We have safely re-introduced some small Special Education groups to the schools with the safety protocols, so we have seen the processes implemented successfully within the classrooms.

In Lake Orion High School athletics, those protocols have operated efficiently since June, allowing LOCS to react to positive COVID-19 tests and exposures and take the appropriate action after consulting with the Oakland County Health Division.

Those are the procedures LOCS followed this week as well with the LOHS football program. When the LOCS administration was informed of the first coach’s positive test on Wednesday, the OCHD was consulted. After investigating, OCHD provided the direction regarding the continuation of the program. On Thursday, when a second positive test arose, LOCS followed its athletics protocols and halted the activity (in this case, tonight’s varsity football game.) The football program’s next steps will be determined in consultation with the OCHD, following its investigation.

This collaboration is an example of how LOCS will treat COVID-19 positive tests during the in-person learning environment as well, if the need arises.

We appreciate the patience and understanding that families have given during the start of the school year.

We have a few updates for this week:

DEVICE INSURANCE

The LOCS technology device insurance provider, Safeware, has extended the policy purchase window to September 30. The extension of the deadline beyond today should allow families to receive answers to their questions and receive a response from Safeware.

The steps to purchase insurance on the district-supplied device and many of the commonly asked questions were also added to the insurance page: LakeOrionSchools.org/device-insurance.

 

FOOD DISTRIBUTION

Following guidance from the United States Department of Agriculture, LOCS has expanded the fall food program during the Remote Learning period. As long as LOCS remains in the remote setting, the district will offer food at no charge to all school-age children. The distributions will occur each Monday and Wednesday from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Blanche Sims Elementary and Waldon Middle School. Each distribution will provide enough weekday meals to last until the next distribution.

 

BOARD OF EDUCATION

As referenced above, the LOCS Board of Education will meet on Wednesday, September 23, 2020 at 6 p.m. in a remote setting. The meeting will be live-streamed in the usual location at LakeOrionSchools.org/BoardMeeting.

 

COVID-19 SCHOOL HEALTH ACKNOWLEDGMENT FORM

The Oakland County Health Division is asking all students to complete a health acknowledgment form, to prepare for the period when in-person learning will return. We are asking that families of all students complete the form online, regardless of their plans for in-person learning.

 

Thank you,

Ben Kirby

Superintendent, Lake Orion Community Schools

September 11, 2020

Dear LOCS Families-

Thank you for sharing in the first week of our unique 2020-21 school year.

Entering this new endeavor together, we faced some challenges, but enjoyed seeing our students and staff members connecting in the online world.

The technology obstacles some families experienced remain a priority for our staff. Working with Zoom engineers, the LOCS Technology Department and additional district staff are continuously working to solve these issues. As we have more defined details, we will share them with the impacted families.

Our primary focus remains the well-being of the students as we move into this environment. There are new experiences and, while this week was about adjusting, each day will be a little more comfortable. We are proud of our staff’s connection to all of the families this week, attempting to smooth the road as much as possible.

If your family or student has a question, please ask. If they need a break, please have them take it.

We will all move forward together.

 

We have a few updates for this week:

COVID-19 SCHOOL HEALTH ACKNOWLEDGMENT FORM

The Oakland County Health Division is asking all students to complete a health acknowledgment form, to prepare for the period when in-person learning will return. We are asking that families of all students complete the form online, regardless of their plans for in-person learning.

FOOD DISTRIBUTION

Following guidance from the United States Department of Agriculture, LOCS has expanded the fall food program during the Remote Learning period. As long as LOCS remains in the remote setting, the district will offer food at no charge to all school-age children. The distributions will occur each Monday and Wednesday from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Blanche Sims Elementary and Waldon Middle School. Each distribution will provide enough weekday meals to last until the next distribution.

ATHLETICS/FOOTBALL

Lake Orion Community Schools high school and middle school students are returning to athletics, under the health and safety procedures put forth by the state of Michigan executive orders related to athletics.

As part of that process, high school football games will follow different spectator guidelines. With state-imposed spectator restrictions, only two spectators per participant will be admitted, and they will be provided with special tickets. The general public will not be allowed to attend the football games or observe the games on LOCS property during the contest, per the Governor’s executive order regarding public gatherings.

All home games will be live-streamed for a subscription fee at dragonbroadcasting.org.

Have a relaxing weekend.

 

Thank you,

LOCS Administration

September 4, 2020

Greetings LOCS Families, 

This was a great week for Lake Orion Community Schools. We were able to “officially” welcome back many of our staff who have been working remotely since last spring. We are incredibly thankful for their commitment to preparing for the 20-21 school year. It was so nice to see many of the students and families as they came through orientations in the school buildings.

• Thank you for your support and understanding as we continue to monitor the effects of COVID-19 on our community. There is no one metric that will inform school leaders that it is appropriate to return to school. I am encouraged as the recent number of COVID-19 cases per 10,000 on the Oakland County Health Division website dropped from 21.1 to 14.5 in our school district area. This data is a key indicator of how our community is responding to the virus. Unfortunately, we remain the highest in our region. It will be vital that we continue to be intentional about our actions as we move into the holiday weekend. Our schools are a microcosm of our community, and I am confident that we will continue to make progress so that we can provide a consistent In-person educational opportunity for our students sooner rather than later. This week, I met with a medical advisory committee that I formed to understand the impact of COVID-19 on our community. This committee provides a local perspective that helps understand factors that do not appear in numerical data. This information fits in well with the weekly meeting that I have with the county epidemiologist.  

• We look forward to providing In-person instruction as an option for our students as soon as possible. I am hopeful that we can provide this option no later than November 9, 2020. As I shared at the Board of Education meetings, we will continue to monitor the presented factors as we consider our academic Return to School Plans. We encourage you to check our website for additional information and updates.

• Remote Learning for all students will begin Tuesday, September 8, 2020. We do have some students in varying programs who will be able to physically distance, follow mask protocols, and maintain a cohort of four to 10 students who will receive In-person instruction. We are looking for success from these programs, which will allow us to move all students in a positive direction.  

• In addition, the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA), provided an update for fall sports. They are recommending that we move forward with the competitions for fall sports following their protocols. The high school and middle school staff will provide timely updates regarding the fall programs. There will be strict limits to fan participation at all contests.

 

We have a few additional updates this week.

REMOTE LEARNING

As we approach the start of Remote Learning, LOCS has created a guide or your family to begin Tuesday with positive momentum into the school year. The attached guide features explanations about many aspects of the unique opening of the school year.

FIRST DAY SIGNS

The first-day signs families have printed in the past are now available and posted on the LOCS website: LakeOrionSchools.org/FirstDaySigns. There are two versions for each school, depending on each family’s preference. We have linked to that on the LOCS front page as well. Please share your first-day photos of Remote Learning with us, with the hashtag #AlwaysLakeOrion or #LOCSFirstDay.

FOOD DISTRIBUTION

Following guidance from the United States Department of Agriculture, LOCS has expanded the fall food program during the Remote Learning period. As long as LOCS remains in the remote setting, the district will offer food at no charge to all school-age children. Beginning Wednesday, September 9, the distributions will occur each Monday and Wednesday from 11 a.m.-1 pm at Blanche Sims Elementary and Waldon Middle School. Each distribution will provide enough weekday meals to last until the next distribution.

COMMUNICATION OUTLETS

As the year begins, we wanted to share the ways LOCS will be communicating with our families. We reach out in multiple avenues and we want to reassure that all pertinent information will be able to connect with families. Attached is an LOCS Communications explanation you can print and save to understand how all of the district information is distributed. We’re expanding our social media presence – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube – offering options wherever you can meet us.

The website (LakeOrionSchools.org) grows as a destination for all resources at the district and school level and we have a district-wide app for all schools as well. If you have any questions, please reach out at communications@lok12.org and we will answer your inquiry directly or find another LOCS staffer with more expertise in that area.

 

Have a safe and memorable Labor Day weekend.  

Go Dragons! 

Ben Kirby

Superintendent, Lake Orion Community Schools 

August 28, 2020

Dear LOCS Families-

We are closing in on the start of the 2020-21 school year and our staff is thrilled to be back in the building and preparing for your students. This dynamic and creative school year will be a wonderful opportunity to show the impact of the LOCS education in a remote environment to start and hopefully the in-person opportunity soon after.

On Wednesday, LOCS Superintendent Ben Kirby updated the Board of Education on a number of topics, including his explanation regarding the potential return to in-person learning for LOCS students. Multiple factors fold into his continuing assessment, including the potential to bring smaller groups back in stages, when appropriate. Please view his explanation to understand the evaluation process.

We have a few additional updates this week:

 

FOOD DISTRIBUTION

LOCS will have meals available for district students each week, similar to if they were in school. In the remote setting, students would visit Blanche Sims elementary or Waldon Middle School on Mondays and/or Wednesdays, to acquire a few days of meals for a nominal cost. The opportunity will continue at these two spots as long as the district remains in a remote setting. Please check out the flyer for more specific details.

 

ORIENTATION DAYS

All LOCS schools will be holding orientation/material pick-up days between August 31-September 3. Each school has communicated the details to families and the information is posted on each school’s individual website front page.

Student schedules and class information are now available for high school and middle school students in PowerSchool. If a family is having trouble logging into PowerSchool, please remove the app and re-install it. Elementary student class information is scheduled to be shared from each school at the start of next week.

 

TECHNOLOGY DEVICE AND INSURANCE

LOCS will be distributing technology devices to families at next week’s orientation days. The information about the procedures includes a reminder that families must complete a parent/guardian-signed acknowledgment form to be submitted at the orientation event.

Once the device is acquired, families can choose to purchase insurance from an out-of-district provider and will complete the form remotely after leaving the orientation. No money is necessary at the orientation for the insurance option.

 

REMOTE LEARNING SCHEDULE (WEEK 1)

Because the school year begins on Tuesday, September 8, following the Labor Day holiday, that week will run as a four-day week, without the usual Wednesday office hours schedule. The first week will have the Monday/Tuesday full class schedule held on Tuesday, September 8 and Wednesday, September 9. Thursday and Friday will run as a normal scheduled week. The following week (September 15) will be the first week with the full remote weekly schedule.

BOND IMPLEMENTATION

The LOCS Bond construction continues to progress with four significant projects (Orion Oaks, Carpenter, Webber and the LOCS Soccer Stadium) prepared for completion before students could return in person on November 9. The LOCS Board of Education toured the projects on Wednesday and photos of the current status of the schools are available online. Thank you to community members for their support in the November 2018 Bond election. The impact for our students is apparent throughout LOCS.

 

Thank you,

LOCS Administration

August 21, 2020

LOCS Families-

As the school year rapidly approaches, our staff continues to prepare for the students’ return to school. While the students will not return to school buildings in the traditional sense on September 8, the remote learning program continues to expand as the LOCS Teaching and Learning staff prepares for the school year.

Parent inboxes are filling with messages, like this one, providing details and deadlines and information. We understand those challenges to keep up with the information and are doing our best to limit what is distributed. One method to distinguish differences is by observing the email header.

• Those from “Lake Orion Community Schools” (like this one) are information intended for the wider audience of our 7,500 students’ families. Generally, that information involves district-wide circumstances like a letter from Superintendent Ben Kirby or this week’s information on the technology device distribution.
• Those from “(Name of School)” are usually related to a specific school’s processes, procedures and opportunities for families.

Please check out the LOCS Return To School page for more information as that page continues to add pieces about Remote Learning, Technology and Frequently Asked Questions for multiple departments.

A few updates for this week:

DRAGON’S DEN

LOCS will offer Grades DK-5 students "Dragon's Den," a location for daily remote learning, beginning September 8. The mission is to support families by providing a safe and socially distanced environment for students to access their online instruction while parents are at work. Check out the attached flyer for more details and registration information. Please be advised space is limited.

FIRST WEEK OF SCHOOL

Because the school year begins on Tuesday, September 8, following the Labor Day holiday, that week will run as a four-day week, without the usual Wednesday office hours schedule. The first week will have the Monday/Tuesday full class schedule held on Tuesday, September 9 and Wednesday, September 10. Thursday and Friday will run as a normal scheduled week. The following week (September 15) will be the first week with the full remote weekly schedule.

ORIENTATION/SCHEDULES

LOCS schools sent out information today regarding orientation plans for the week of August 31. At those gatherings, students will pick up their technology device and obtain the supplies needed for the school year. Please check your inbox for that message. The information will also be posted on each school’s website.

Student schedules and class information is being rolled out this week and next week. Lake Orion High School and Learning Options High School student schedules are now live in Powerschool. Middle school schedules will be available in PowerSchool after 12 p.m. on August 28. Elementary student class information is scheduled to be shared at the end of next week.

TECHNOLOGY DEVICES

LOCS reached out to all families on Thursday to share details about the 1-to-1 Technology device distribution occurring at the start of September. The information about the procedures includes a reminder that families must complete a parent/guardian-signed acknowledgment form to be submitted at the orientation event.

BOARD OF EDUCATION

The LOCS Board of Education will meet for its regularly scheduled business meeting on August 26 at 6 p.m. Currently, the Board is meeting in a remote setting, so the meeting will be viewable by the community on the livestream at LakeOrionSchools.org/BoardMeeting.

 

Thank you for your partnership as we move toward this unique school year,

LOCS Administration

Dear LOCS Families-

As we conclude this eventful week in Lake Orion Community Schools, we wanted to reach out and bring our community together, looking forward to the start of the 2020-21 school year.

Wednesday’s decision to start all students on the remote learning platform caught many by surprise and created a new set of questions. This week’s multiple emails have established quite a bit of new information. Our staff is working diligently to provide answers where we can about the processes and the next steps.

The safety and security of our students is a paramount priority and their well-being (physical, mental and emotional) informs many of the decisions we are making, moving forward.

Today’s update features a few key categories we’d like to share.

• REMOTE LEARNING: The Remote Learning program will operate similarly to the in-person classroom experience. Elementary students will have a single teacher and follow through the daily schedule, with specific subject periods mixed with breaks. Secondary students will “change” classes at the designated periods, following the schedule provided and learn as they would in the classroom setting, with the flipped instruction (videos outside of school hours) preparing for portions of the following day. The instruction will occur four days a week, with Wednesday as an office hours day for teachers to connect with students on an individual basis. LOCS has created sample schedules to observe. The decision to place all students in the same online learning process arose for a few reasons: creating an immediate personal, live connection with the teacher; establishing a daily school routine with scheduled times; and embracing a comfort with the technology platform (Zoom and Seesaw for elementary students, Microsoft Teams for secondary students.) While live instruction is the preferred method of learning, the lessons will be recorded and available for families whose schedule requires a different time for learning. More details about the Remote Learning process will be shared next week.
• SCHOOL ORIENTATION/VISIT DAYS: As our administrators continue to work over the next few weeks, they will reach out to their school communities. The information will build toward the final week of summer (August 31-September 3) when schools will host orientation days for families. After months of disconnection and a distanced end of the previous school year, this will be an in-person opportunity for a school visit, to pick up supplies and receive the technology device offered to all LOCS students. More information about the specific date and time will be shared from the building principal when it is determined.
• TECHNOLOGY: LOCS is thrilled to offer a technology device to each student this fall. As we shared earlier this week, Grades DK-2 students will receive an iPad and Grades 3-12 and post-secondary students will receive a Windows laptop. Further details about the process will be shared next week, but please plan for the distributions to occur at each school’s orientation.

We understand the dramatic shift this week altered the plans of every family, staff member and administrator in the district. But with the primary intent of safety, we are operating on the most appropriate path.

As families ask questions, via email or social media, we are trying to answer the best we can with the current information and are consistently updating the Return To School page with Frequently Asked Questions.

Thank you for your patience and we will continue to share new information.

Sincerely,

LOCS Administration

Dear LOCS Families-

Good morning and thank you to the many individuals who have reached out to our District Administration and Board of Education to provide thoughts on the opening of school on September 8^, 2020. This decision, along with learning about the district and community, has been my primary focus since my start on July 20, 2020. There are many factors that go into this type of a decision and they all must be evaluated looking at the impact on our students, staff, and community.

When we released the LOCS Return to School plan on July 23, 2020, it was with every intention that the school year would begin as we hoped and detailed in that plan. There have been many committed individuals in the district who have been working diligently to prepare a quality educational experience for our students. During that work, they have been able to identify multiple ways to deliver instruction to meet the needs of our students. The past three weeks have brought significant change in the landscape for public schools across our great state of Michigan regarding the safest and most consistent way to provide an education to our students. 

As a result, the LOCS administration recommended, and the LOCS Board of Education endorsed Wednesday night, a plan to begin the 2020-21 school year in a remote setting for all students on September 8, 2020. Students are scheduled to remain in remote learning until November 9, 2020, which concludes the first marking period, allowing LOCS administrators time to assess the health circumstances in our state. As that date approaches, the current climate will be evaluated to ensure our Return to School plan can be enacted safely for students and staff, as previously presented. Consistently over the years, we have shared that safety is the district’s top priority and that drove this decision.

We are fortunate that LOCS has prepared for this moment over the past few months, training our talented and dynamic teaching staff to embrace this opportunity and bring the elite education they have shared in the classroom to the remote setting. The interest in our Dragon Virtual program during the registration period was significant and showed the confidence our families have in an online learning process led by our staff. And, though that program will pause for now, it will launch when we transition to In-Person instruction in November (with a new registration period) for those families whose students would like to remain learning online.

Beginning September 8, 2020, with every student in a remote setting, LOCS will strive for consistency for all of our 7,500-plus students, and each will be placed in the classroom community similar to previous school years. Elementary students will begin in their neighborhood school grade-level class with a single teacher. Middle and high school students will follow the schedules submitted last spring, built with the classes requested.

As LOCS navigates bringing everything but the building to our students in a remote setting, we want to reassure families that these plans are months in the making. There will be teacher engagement with the classes, graded work and the accountability that students would experience if reporting to a classroom. This will be the robust learning LOCS has provided your students in school throughout their experience, with our dedicated staff.

With all students being provided an iPad or laptop to interact with teachers and their classmates, they will be prepared for our new world.

More detailed information about the start to the 2020-21 school year is available at LakeOrionSchools.org/ReturnToSchool. This page will continue to expand and answer questions as we approach the first day of school.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigate these changes together. We will continue to strive towards the opportunity for In-person instruction at a time that will provide consistency for our programs and is safe for our students and staff. 

 

Yours in education, 

Ben Kirby

LOCS Superintendent

August 6, 2020

Dear LOCS Families,

Thank you for the feedback over the past three weeks since I started serving Lake Orion Community Schools. I have received many nice welcomes and greetings along with families sharing what they would like to see happen this fall as school is scheduled to begin on September 8, 2020. 

Two weeks ago, we shared our Return to School plan, focused on the five-days-a-week in-person learning, and our Dragon Virtual program. The design was based on Governor Whitmer’s Return to School Advisory Council’s requirements and recommendations. We went beyond the requirements, implementing additional safeguards for students and staff that were recommended, but not required. While creating this plan, we worked to provide a safe in-person return for both students and staff. 

In the period since, the landscape has changed around us. COVID-19 cases remain at a consistent level throughout the state, Governor Gretchen Whitmer has reinforced more stringent mask and gathering protocols and many school districts have reacted, shifting their plans to opening the school year in a fully remote setting.

As many districts have adjusted their plans to ensure the safety of students and staff, we have studied their rationale and reached out for more information. Some districts have added additional mask requirements, while others have moved to their remote learning option for all students at the start of the school year, even as our region remains in Phase 4 of the MI Safe Start Plan. Previously, it was expected full remote learning would only occur in Phases 1-3, where the state mandated that scenario. But circumstances have changed.

As of today, LOCS still is planning for the two options we shared in the Return to School plan on July 23. But our district has prided itself on transparency with the community, so my goal today is to share that we are planning for other options as well. With the responsibility for your children and our staff members, having alternative options is the responsible and safe process.

Currently in Phase 4, we have created a plan to provide in-person instruction, with the understanding that we would move to remote instruction if there are increased health and medical concerns. The Dragon Virtual Learning Program remains open as well, as enrollment continues through Friday, August 7, 2020 at 4 p.m.

LOCS administrators continue to look at COVID-19 statistics, while listening to health and medical professionals, scientists, other area school leaders, governmental leaders, staff, and parents as we evaluate the changing landscape. All this information will assist us as we move forward in our decision-making process. There is a significant amount of information, emotion, and opinion about how we begin school on September 8, 2020 and we are listening and absorbing all of it.

This is a very difficult time and decision for educators. We find ourselves considering information that is outside of our typical scope. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate through this pandemic to provide the safe environment and high-quality education that our Dragons have come to expect.

Yours in Education,

Ben Kirby

LOCS Superintendent

 

Fall planning information from Superintendent Ben Kirby

Greetings LOCS Families, 

This week has been another great one for me at Lake Orion Community Schools. I got the privilege of attending my first graduation at our outstanding district. The experience did not disappoint! I was amazed at the collaboration that was shown by staff, students, families, and administration. Without a clear vision, the execution couldn’t have been as flawless as we witnessed. The number of students who were honored and were able to walk across the stage in the presence of their family and friends was heart-warming. Special thanks to Orion Township officials and staff for their support of the fireworks display to cap off the night.

I was able to observe, firsthand, the progress that is being made because of the community support of the bond passage. The work at Orion Oaks Elementary, Carpenter Elementary, and Webber Elementary is progressing as expected. It was exciting to see the exciting changes, especially the STEM rooms, the new media centers, secure entrances and other impressive improvements. Many thanks to our community for your support.

We continue to create plans for the possibilities that this fall brings. We are currently in Phase 4 of the state of Michigan Safe Start Plan, so we are preparing to serve students for in-person instruction and virtual learning. If we are moved to Phase 3 by Governor Whitmer, we will be prepared to educate students without bringing them to school for in-person instruction. We have worked to address questions regarding different scenarios by creating a Frequently Asked Questions document on the district website. As we receive new questions, we add them to the document. Looking forward, the district opened Dragon Virtual registration on Thursday, allowing interested families to submit their student's interest before the August 7 deadline.

It is important to understand that the education that was delivered to the students this past spring was accomplished during an emergency. Most, if not all, districts reduced the amount of curriculum that was taught and worked hard to support students and families emotionally during the pandemic. Districts were provided many parameters through Executive Orders that didn’t allow us to maintain the same expectations or rigor in our delivery models. What our students will receive in the fall, if we are unable to educate in person, will be much more rigorous. There will be intentional times and opportunities for students to connect with both teachers and peers. In addition, the content will be that of our excellent curriculum. As change continues in our society, know that we are paying close attention, working with area districts, area educators, and moving forward from the lessons learned in the spring.

Thank you for trusting us with the education of your children! 

Go Dragons! 

 

Ben Kirby 

LOCS Superintendent

Dear LOCS Families-

After months of preparation, feedback, and study, Lake Orion Community Schools released its “printed” 2020-21 Return to School plan (PDF version) on Thursday.

The plans outlined the various health and safety protocols for in-person learning, laid out the parameters for the Dragon Virtual program, and shared the processes LOCS plans to follow this fall as students return to our school community – both in-person and virtually.

As noted in the document, this is the LOCS plan as of this week. As we move closer to school, the plan will surely evolve and our Return To School website (LakeOrionSchools.org/ReturnToSchool) will be continuously updated with those details.

Thanks to the questions from many community members, we have already established a significant list of Frequently Asked Questions (LakeOrionSchools.org/FAQ), where many explanations are available. Please check this document for answers to general questions, prior to reaching out to an administrator.

Next week will feature the next steps in the Return to School process as a Dragon Virtual information meeting will be held on Monday and Dragon Virtual registration will open on Thursday.

The Dragon Virtual registration period will open July 30 and run through August 7, with families registering on the link at LakeOrionSchools.org/DragonVirtual2020.

Students who choose to remain with the in-person learning this fall are already enrolled. The Dragon Virtual program requires an opt-in registration.

Moving forward, we understand the path of the COVID-19 virus and the impact on our state and community are unpredictable. But as a school district, we continue to work for the students every day, to provide the best and safest possible learning experience this fall.

 

We have a few additional updates this week:

TRANSPORTATION SURVEY

As LOCS continues to focus on fall planning, the district would like all families to complete this linked Transportation survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SR599Z5. 

Hopefully, parents/guardians can take a brief minute between today and the end of the day on Wednesday, July 29, to complete the few questions, allowing the district to more appropriately plan fall busing routes and schedules given the unique circumstances. This is only a general survey to gather district information, not a commitment in or out for fall busing.

DRAGON VIRTUAL INFORMATION MEETING

On Monday, July 27, at 7 p.m., the LOCS Teaching and Learning Department will host a community information presentation about the Dragon Virtual program, broadcast on the LOCS YouTube channel. The intent is to give families as much information as possible to make an informed decision about their fall plans.

Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Heidi Mercer, Director of Curriculum Kerri Anderson and Dragon Virtual coordinator Nick Coccia will present the program details and answer questions submitted by the community. Questions can be submitted in advance at communications@lok12.org. A recording of the meeting will be posted at LakeOrionSchools.org/ReturnToSchool following its conclusion.

SCHOOL MESSENGER

All 2020-21 LOCS student information entered School Messenger, the school’s email/text/phone system. All families should be now receiving 2020-21 updates from the district (including this message) and the student’s neighborhood school. Should families want to adjust their distribution settings, please follow the prompts on the LOCS School Messenger page.

Please have a safe and healthy week.

Thank you,

LOCS Administration

Dear LOCS Families-

After processing the state’s Return to School Roadmap, the LOCS Administration is establishing school plans for the fall.

With the State of Michigan currently in Phase 4 of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s Safe Start Plan, LOCS has created a two-path approach for students this fall.

• In-Person Option: Involves students in school for in-person learning five days a week. LOCS will follow required health and safety guidelines within the Return to School Roadmap, with a more detailed description being shared next week.
• Virtual Learning Option: Offered for any family who would prefer to keep a student home for the semester, for any reason. LOCS will offer a robust curriculum using LOCS teachers for the class offerings. The Dragon Virtual program and registration details will be shared next week.

Assuming the state remains in Phase 4 or even improves to Phase 5, this is the LOCS plan.

The district is also preparing a remote learning plan in the event that a student, classroom, school or the district needs to close for a period of time, due to a COVID-19 outbreak. This would be for a temporary circumstance.

Remote and virtual learning during the 2020-21 school year will have far more rigorous requirements and more robust academic instruction than the stopgap measures put in place during the COVID-19 crisis last spring.

All staff will be trained in best practices for remote learning, due to the uncertain nature of the state’s COVID-19 orders.

As the Return to School Roadmap explains, if the state of Michigan slides back into Phase 3 or lower, all classes will be remote.

A full Return to School plan with details on both academic options, health and safety guidelines and protocols and LOCS processes will be shared with the community next week, allowing families to make the best decision for their student.

 

This week’s updates:

TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATE STOPS

The Transportation Department is hoping for families who know they will have an alternate bus stop planned for this fall (e.g. day care), to submit the attached form to the department to assist in scheduling.

 

HIGH SCHOOL SUMMER PROGRAM

The second session of the virtual high school summer program will begin on Monday, July 20.

The Credit Forward and Credit Recovery registration will be conducted online and the classes run through the Edgenuity platform.

Registration will remain open until Monday at 8 a.m.

 

RETURNING STUDENT INFORMATION

The Returning Student Information links remain open for families to complete their student's record. Please complete as soon as possible for planning purposes.  

Tips for a successful submission:

• Understand 2019-20 grade levels and building will appear until district rollover later in the summer
• Use a computer instead of a phone
• Use Google Chrome
• Clear out your browsing cache, found in the computer's settings

 

Thank you,

LOCS Administration

Dear LOCS Families-

After processing the state’s Return to School Roadmap, the LOCS Administration is establishing school plans for the fall.

The state’s plan is set up with different levels of guidance for districts: requirements, strong recommendations and general recommendations.

While the more stringent Phases 1-3 of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s Safe Start Plan require virtual learning, and Phase 5 will simulate a more normal school year, the state of Michigan is currently between those two, in Phase 4.

As a result, the health and safety requirements in Phase 4 are driving many of the district’s fall decisions.

To provide more insight into the district’s processes, it may help families to know what will be required for in-person learning this fall – assuming the state remains in Phase 4.

There are a number of categories with requirements and we wanted to share those with you today as you begin to think about the 2020-21 school year and your family’s comfort with your student returning to school.

The district’s fall options, which will include a virtual learning choice, will be rolled out in the near future.

 

We have a few additional updates for this week:

HIGH SCHOOL SUMMER PROGRAM

The second session of the virtual high school summer program will begin July 20.

Registration will re-open Monday, July 13, with information posted at LakeOrionSchools.org and on the LOCS social media channels.

The Credit Forward and Credit Recovery registration will be conducted online and the classes run through the Edgenuity platform.

 

RETURNING STUDENT INFORMATION

The Returning Student Information links remain open for families to complete their student's record. Please complete as soon as possible for planning purposes.  

Tips for a successful submission:

• Understand 2019-20 grade levels and building will appear until district rollover later in the summer
• Use a computer instead of a phone
• Use Google Chrome
• Clear out your browsing cache, found in the computer's settings

 

SUPERINTENDENT OFFICIAL

New LOCS Superintendent Benjamin Kirby was officially hired on Thursday when his contract was approved by the LOCS Board of Education at a special meeting. His official start date is July 20, though he is already connecting with Dragons in the district and across the community.

 

Have a safe week,

LOCS Administration

Dear LOCS Families-

In the heat of summer, the 2020-21 school year may be the farthest from the minds of your children, who are enjoying the freedom and fun.

For the LOCS Administration, next fall’s preparation is underway.

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and her return-to-school task force released a detailed plan on June 30, explaining the protocols and procedures schools should follow planning to re-open for fall in-person learning.

Our team is diving into the specifics and how those can be adapted for LOCS and our student and staff community.

The state’s Safe Schools Roadmap focuses on the in-person learning circumstances, which will be dictated to some extent by the state’s late August phase of the Safe Start Plan.

 

We have a few updates this week:

REMOTE LEARNING IN FALL

LOCS will have a remote learning path available for families who choose that option this fall to start the 2020-21 school year.

Remote technology, a robust online interactive plan and strong teacher-student connections are all major focuses of our planning process.

The details will be shared soon.

 

HIGH SCHOOL SUMMER PROGRAM

The second session of remote high school summer program will begin July 20 and registration will re-open next week, with information posted at LakeOrionSchools.org and on the LOCS social media channels. 

The Credit Forward and Credit Recovery registration will be also conducted online and the classes run through the Edgenuity platform.

 

SUPERINTENDENT SELECTION

The LOCS Board of Education completed the Superintendent selection process on June 30, voting unanimously to hire Benajmin Kirby as the next LOCS Superintendent, replacing retired Superintendent Marion Ginopolis.

Currently the Assistant Superintendent of Administrative Services at South Lyon Community Schools, Mr. Kirby is negotiating his Superintendent contract with the LOCS Board of Education. Once that is complete, the Board will hold a special meeting for formal approval of the contract.

Mr. Kirby is scheduled to officially begin work in LOCS on July 20.

Details are available at LakeOrionSchools.org/SuptSearch.

 

BOND IMPLEMENTATION

The LOCS Bond construction work continues at five district sites this summer: Webber Elementary, Orion Oaks Elementary, Carpenter Elementary, the new Early Childhood Center and the Lake Orion High School soccer stadium.

Webber, Orion Oaks and Carpenter are receiving new secure entrances, as well as varying levels of interior work.

Photos of the current school projects were shared earlier this week.

 

Have a safe holiday weekend,

LOCS Administration

Dear LOCS Families-

As we approach the holiday week, Lake Orion Community Schools continues to move forward on multiple fronts, creating the best opportunity for our students.

The prospect of the fall back-to-school environment should emerge by the middle of next week, when Gov. Gretchen Whitmer releases the recommendations and requirements for schools to follow. The state legislature announced school funding proposals last week, but any definitive results from those remain in the future, as the legislative process will continue.

This will be a far more eventful summer than most, with our district changing superintendents, administrators planning for an unprecedented school year, significant bond construction occurring in five sites across the district and celebrating our high school graduates later in the summer than usual.

All of these moments are an opportunity for LOCS to move forward and enhance our standing as an elite district, educating and supporting our students.

I appreciate all of the connection and interaction with our communications during my years in the district and your passionate involvement in your children’s education. Our staff has focused on putting the students first in our decisions and I have complete faith that will continue.

 

A few updates this week:

HOME LEARNING SURVEY

The Lake Orion Community Schools Teaching and Learning Department reached out to the parent community and students in the late spring of 2020, seeking feedback from the Home Learning Plans during the COVID-19 pandemic-related school closure.

The survey results are intended to help the district's Teaching and Learning staff learn what was successful and the areas where improvement is needed.

The individual comments submitted were reviewed by the LOCS Administration and will help form the fall academic plans.

Another parent survey is anticipated prior to the start of the 2020-2021 school year.

The survey results are available at LakeOrionSchools.org/SpringSurveyResults.

SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH

The LOCS Superintendent finalists, Mr. Benjamin Kirby and Dr. Venessa Keesler, spent the past week continuing the interview process.

Each had a final interview with the LOCS Board of Education on Monday and one day each with individual stakeholder meetings for the administrators, staff and community members.

On Thursday and Friday, Board representatives met with associates of each candidate in remote “site visits.”

The next step in the process is scheduled for a special meeting Monday, June 29 at 6 p.m., when the Board is scheduled to discuss and potentially vote to select the new superintendent. The meeting's live-stream will be available at LakeOrionSchools.org/BoardMeeting.

RETURNING STUDENT INFORMATION

The Returning Student Information links are now re-opened for families to complete and submit their student's record. If a student was unsubmitted, the building secretary reached out by email earlier this week. Please complete the information as soon as possible as it helps LOCS determine staffing and plans for the fall. Secretaries are available for assistance by email through June 30.

RETIREE APPRECIATION

The end of the 2019-20 school year also concluded many careers as 21 staff members said goodbye to the district, moving into retirement. The group combined for 452 years of service to LOCS. 

The Board of Education and administrative cabinet thanked them for their tenure at Wednesday’s Board meeting. A video of their goodbyes was shared with the Board.

BOND IMPLEMENTATION

The LOCS Bond construction projects are moving along at a rapid pace. 

The new Early Childhood Center at Joslyn and Clarkston Roads has broken ground, the secure entrances and classroom additions at Carpenter and Orion Oaks Elementaries are making significant progress, the progress towards Webber Elementary’s new wing is advancing, and the refurbished soccer stadium at Lake Orion High School is quickly emerging. 

All information about the bond progress, including updated photos of the sites, is available at LOCSBond.org. 

INDEPENDENCE WEEK

The Lake Orion Community Schools Administration staffwill be out of the office and unavailable from Monday, June 29-Friday, July 3, 2020 for the Independence Day week. 

The staff will be available for normal business beginning on Monday, July 6, 2020, at 8 a.m.  

Have a safe holiday week,

Marion Ginopolis

Superintendent, Lake Orion Community Schools

LOCS Families-

Happy Summer! Hopefully, your students are enjoying the weather and the freedom, getting a chance to relax.

Now that we are a week removed from the school year, we are starting to get some clarity on what the fall may look like for our students. Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that Michigan schools may have in-person learning this fall with the appropriate safety precautions. While there were few specifics about that plan, she indicated that a detailed set of requirements and recommendations will be shared June 30.

Once the LOCS Administration receives that framework, we will be able to refine the plans our staff members have been preparing to this point.

Thank you for your patience in this process. Although the 2020-21 school year remains more than two months away, those will be a busy few months for our administrators, preparing the safest and most appropriate educational situation for your students.

We have a few updates to end this week:

SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH/BOARD OF EDUCATION

On Thursday, the LOCS Board of Education voted in a special meeting to advance two candidates, Benjamin Kirby and Dr. Venessa Keesler, to the finalist stage for the Superintendent position. 

The 60-minute interviews with the Board of Education will be conducted the evening of Monday, June 22 and live-streamed at LakeOrionSchools.org/BoardMeeting.

The schedule: 6 p.m., Benjamin Kirby, Assistant Superintendent of Administrative Services, South Lyon Community Schools in South Lyon, Mich.; 7:10 p.m., Dr. Venessa Keesler, Deputy Superintendent at the Michigan Department of Education in Lansing, Mich.

The finalist interview process will continue through the week.

The Board will also be meeting remotely at 6 p.m. Wednesday night for its regularly scheduled June 24 meeting, also live-streamed at LakeOrionSchools.org/BoardMeeting.

 

SUPERINTENDENT STAKEHOLDER MEETINGS

The Board will hold virtual stakeholder meetings with the candidates on Tuesday and Wednesday of next week, including one for parents/community members at 3 p.m. each day. 

Due to the virtual format, the questions must be submitted in the online form at LakeOrionSchools.org/SuptQuestions, prior to 8 a.m. Tuesday morning. 

The questions, including the submitter’s name, will be asked by Superintendent consultant John Silveri in each session and the candidate will answer them during the 60-minute time session.

To “attend” the meeting in view-only mode for Benjamin Kirby, from 3-4 p.m. on Tuesday, June 23, click https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81909661991 and use the password 134703.

To “attend” the meeting in view-only mode for Dr. Venessa Keesler, from 3-4 p.m. on Wednesday, June 24, click https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88399333103 and use the password 907567.

 

HIGH SCHOOL SUMMER SCHOOL

Enrollment remains open for LOCS High School students (LOHS and Learning Options) who want to take advantage of the virtual summer school program. The Credit Forward and Credit Recovery program information and enrollment is available at LakeOrionSchools.org/HS-SummerSchool but will close on Monday, June 22, with the start of the program.

The elementary and middle school virtual summer school program registration closed today, June 19.

 

HOME LEARNING PLANS

While the end of the school year was the completion of the new Home Learning Plans, the plans are currently still posted on the LakeOrionSchools.org/HomeLearning page. They will be removed on June 30, so please download the lessons if you plan to use them this summer with your student. The padlet of resources will remain live online.

 

REPORT CARD UPDATE

Students in grades Kindergarten through eighth grade will not be receiving an end of the year report card. High school students will be able view their final grades in PowerSchool beginning today, June 19, 2020.

 

LAPTOP RETURNS 

Families who borrowed a laptop for the Home Learning period should return the device at the upcoming drop-off days July 7 and July 8 from 1-3 p.m. at the CERC Building ( 455 E Scripps Rd, Lake Orion, MI 48360.)

(The only exception is if the student is enrolled in virtual summer school. Those students may keep their device until the end of the summer session.)

Drop-off items: 1- Laptop, 2- Power cable, 3- Note identifying name of the parent and student returning the device.

 

TECHNOLOGY PURCHASES

Lake Orion Community Schools and Sehi Computer Products, Inc. have partnered to create a device purchasing program that offers discounts on laptops, desktops, monitors, etc. This unique shopping link for LOCS families and staff is now open. Please register to receive access to district-endorsed devices and special pricing.

LOCS Parents & Staff Device Purchasing Portal: https://www.buysehi.com/category.jhtm?cid=1214

 

RETURNING STUDENT INFORMATION  

LOCS has paused the 2020-21 returning student information, due to issues with the PowerSchool program. Our service provider continues to work through the technical challenges. LOCS will re-open the information submission process as soon as possible and will communicate that opportunity to those who have not yet entered information for next fall. 

The district strongly encourages families to input information when the opportunity is available, as that helps with the administration’s fall staffing and planning. All fees (extracurricular programs, etc.) will not be collected until August.

 

Sincerely,

Marion Ginopolis

LOCS Superintendent

Dear LOCS Families- 

We made it! For three months, your students and our staff have adapted in ways few of us could have imagined. They embraced the evolving Home Learning Plans, they shifted to Zoom and Microsoft Teams meetings and they tried to experience new opportunities.

Hopefully, the summer allows some downtime for your students to recharge. As we shared early this week, we don’t have a definitive design for this fall, but we are working on multiple options. Our staff will be prepared for whatever direction the state of Michigan requires, still focused on bringing your students the best possible education.

While the school year is finished, the administrative work of the district continues and we will reach out as appropriate.

We have a few updates this week: 

 

LAPTOP RETURNS 

LOCS set up a return period for devices families borrowed for the home learning period.  Anyone may return the device for a student.  Students who picked up a laptop and are enrolled in virtual summer school can return their device at the end of the session. 

Drop-off items: 1 – Laptop, 2- Power cable, 3- Paper/note attached to laptop identifying the name of the parent who picked up the laptop as well as the name of the student. 

Drop-off location: CERC Building  (455 E Scripps Rd, Lake Orion, MI 48360) 

Dates: Thurs., June 18/Fri. June 19, 9-11 a.m.; Tues., July 7/Wed., July 8, 1-3 p.m. 

Directions: Please enter off Scripps Road and proceed down the west side of the building toward the north parking lot. Please remain in your car and follow the distribution line. Cars will exit out of the parking lot onto Stadium Drive and turn left toward Lapeer Road. 

 

RETURNING STUDENT REGISTRATION 

Lake Orion Community Schools has paused the registration for returning students during 2020-21 school year due to issues with the PowerSchool program. The issues are expected to be cleared next week and LOCS will then re-open the registration. The district will communicate that re-opening opportunity to those who have not yet registered for next fall. We strongly encourage families to register as soon as possible, as that helps with the administration’s fall staffing and planning.

 

BOARD OF EDUCATION 

The LOCS Board of Education will hold special meetings Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday next week to interview six candidates for the Superintendent position. There will also be a meeting on Thursday to determine the position finalists. The meetings will be remote and live-streamed at LakeOrionSchools.org/BoardMeeting. The Board will be accepting public input about the candidates during the interview process. LOCS will post an input form on the website once the interviews begin Monday evening.

 

YEAR-END VIDEO

The 2019-20 school year was unconventional for Lake Orion Community Schools. It was a year of highlights and wonderful moments. Join us for a trip from September through June in our district. https://youtu.be/tBw2Ndy5sGg

 

HOME LEARNING PLANS

While the end of the school year was the completion of the new Home Learning Plans, the plans are currently still posted on the LakeOrionSchools.org/HomeLearning page. They will be removed on June 30, so please download the lessons if you plan to use them this summer with your student. The padlet of resources will remain live online.

 

SUMMER SCHOOL

LOCS will hold virtual tuition-based summer school opportunities for high school, middle school and elementary school this summer. The high school program has two online sessions: June 22 – July 17, 2020 and July 20 – August 14, 2020 while the middle school and elementary school programs run in one session from July 13-August 6. Registration links for all three programs are available.

 

SUMMER LEARNING PACKET PICK-UP

LOCS will have the limited remaining Summer Learning packets available for pick-up next week. 

For elementary students: the pick-up will be Monday, June 15 from 2-3 p.m. at Scripps Middle School.

For middle school students: the remaining packets will be available at the locker clean-out days. 

A map and description of the one-way pick-up process is on the LOCS website, entering off Stadium Drive and passing through the CERC complex before exiting onto Scripps Road. Please follow the directions for a smooth distribution.

 

REPORT CARDS

Students in grades Kindergarten through eighth grade will not be receiving an end of the year report card. High School students will be able view their final grades in PowerSchool beginning June 19, 2020.

 

Sincerely,

Marion Ginopolis

LOCS Superintendent

June 5, 2020

Dear LOCS Families-

The world around us has changed dramatically in the past week, but our LOCS staff remains focused on ending the school year consistently, providing our students the best possible finishing experience to this unusual year.

The Lake Orion High School seniors made their final visit to the high school this week to pick up their caps and gowns, while our middle school and elementary school students began approaching their final weeks before summer, staying focused on their Home Learning plans.

While the school year will conclude as scheduled a week from today, on Friday, June 12, LOCS will continue to communicate via email and at LakeOrionSchools.org as circumstances arise and our fall plans evolve.

We have a few updates at the end of this week:

SUMMER LEARNING PACKETS

Elementary and middle school families will be able to pick up their reserved summer learning packets on three dates at the CERC building next week: 

·      Tuesday, June 9 – 12-2 p.m.

·      Wednesday, June 10 – 3-4 p.m.

·      Thursday, June 11 – 6-7 p.m. 

A map and description of the one-way pick-up process is on the LOCS website, entering off Stadium Drive and passing through the CERC complex before exiting onto Scripps Road. Please follow the directions for a smooth distribution.

Families can choose any of the available times for pick-up.

 

LOCS PLAYGROUNDS

LOCS school playgrounds are now open to the general community following the Oakland County Health Division’s announcement this week. The usual summer outdoor athletic field procedures are now reinstated.

Visitors are still required to practice social distancing (six feet apart), wear a face covering and frequent handwashing/hand sanitizer.

LOCS does not plan to regularly disinfect the playgrounds, so the playgrounds and equipment will be used at the individual’s own discretion and risk. 

 

HOME LEARNING PLANS

LOCS is releasing one more week of Home Learning Plans today for the elementary and middle school students, taking the lessons through the end of the school year on June 12. While all of the Home Learning Plans since the start are currently on the LakeOrionSchools.org/HomeLearning page, they will be removed on June 30, so please download the lessons if you plan to use them this summer with your student.

The padlet of resources will remain live online.

 

SUMMER SCHOOL

LOCS will hold virtual tuition-based summer school opportunities for high school, middle school and elementary school this summer. The high school program has two online sessions: June 22 – July 17, 2020 and July 20 – August 14, 2020 while the middle school and elementary school programs run in one session from July 13-August 6. Registration links for all three programs are available.

 

TECHNOLOGY RETURNS

Families who have borrowed technology devices from LOCS for the home learning period will be asked to return them at an undetermined date in July for processing. LOCS will send out a message with return instructions once those details are finalized.

 

UNITY AND HEALING

Earlier this week, I shared a message with the community about Unity and Healing, amidst the national protests. Please take a minute to read the letter, if you missed it this week.

 

MEALS DISTRIBUTION

The LOCS meals distribution for children in need will conclude on Monday, June 8, due to the end of the school year. The usual pick-up locations at CERC and Carpenter will still be in effect at the usual time, from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. The packages distributed will be food to last through the end of the week.

A round of applause to all of the Food Service, Transportation, LOCS Board of Education trustees and LOCS Administrators, who have distributed more than 37,000 breakfast and 38,000 lunch meals during the nearly three-month process.

Food Service director Marla Ernst, who is retiring from LOCS at the end of the month, deserves individual praise. Thank you for years of service and your extraordinary leadership feeding those in need during the school closure.

 

ORION LIVING

The Orion Living Summer issue was recently delivered to residents’ homes. The issue features a look at the stellar LOCS Special Education program.

 

BOARD OF EDUCATION

The LOCS Board of Education will hold a special meeting on Monday, June 8, to discuss the next step in the Superintendent Search process. Though the meeting will be remote, most of the meeting will be held in a closed session to discuss the applicants and determine those who will be invited to interview. The Board will announce those invitations publicly at the end of the meeting.

 

SCHOOLS-OF-CHOICE

LOCS is continuing the Schools-of-Choice program for out-of-district residents interested in enrolling in the district for the 2020-21 school year. The application period is open through June 9.

The Schools-of-Choice Application 2020-2021 is available for students interested in Grades K-8, Learning Options Alternative High School, and the PHASES program (Special Education students ages 18-26.)

More information about the Schools-of-Choice program is available at LakeOrionSchools.org/SOC.

ECC GROUNDBREAKING

The Lake Orion Community Schools Early Childhood Center groundbreaking ceremony was held on Thursday, June 4 and attended by the LOCS Board of Education trustees, along with LOCS administrators and members of the ECC design team. Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Heidi Mercer, Board of Education president Jim Weidman and Early Childhood director Kim McLean shared the excitement of the bond project and impact the center will have on the district and the community.

Watch the ceremony to see their messages.

 

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we wind down the school year with the present and future of the district as our top priorities.

 

Sincerely,

Marion Ginopolis

LOCS Superintendent

May 29, 2020

Dear LOCS Families-

As we conclude another week of our unprecedented school year, we appreciate that the weather is improving and more areas of our lives are inching closer to normal.

With only two weeks remaining in the school year for our students, our staff is still focused on providing a strong academic experience through June 12, the final day of the school year.

We appreciate the support from all the families reminding the students that, even though we’re not in the school buildings, learning occurs every day.

For those families seeking a resource to explain the coronavirus to your students, the University of Michigan released a wonderful video explainer for students 6-11 years old.

We have a few updates to share this week:

 

FINANCE ADVOCACY

Our state schools will be facing massive budgetary shortfalls due to decimated state revenue.

LOCS is expecting a large per-pupil cut in the current fiscal year, anticipating a $500-700 per-pupil reduction, which equates to an overall $5-7 million cut. That would require substantial adjustments to our general fund operating budget in all areas.

Educators across Michigan are being asked to take part in the “Our Children, Our Future Campaign” to advocate for recovery dollars for Michigan's schools. Congress has passed the CARES Act, which sent nearly $400 million to Michigan, but we will need $3-5 billion over the next three fiscal years to avoid catastrophic cuts to education in every community in our state.

We ask that you please take the first step of contacting your member of Congress using our Voter Voice portal. Please take a minute to send this letter. Feel free to edit the text to tell your story and what a $700 per-pupil cut would look like for our district and community.

 

RETURNING STUDENT REGISTRATION

Lake Orion Community Schools is now registering returning students for the 2020-21 school year at LakeOrionSchools.org/Register.

The registration process is conducted through an online program called “PowerSchool Enrollment” using the students’ individual SnapCode sent to families in an email last week.

LOCS will not be collecting school-related fees at this time. School-related purchases/fees will be processed online in August.

 

SCHOOLS-OF-CHOICE

LOCS is continuing the Schools-of-Choice program for out-of-district residents interested in enrolling in the district for the 2020-21 school year. The application period is open through June 9.

The Schools-of-Choice Application 2020-2021 is available for students interested in Grades K-8, Learning Options Alternative High School, and the PHASES program (Special Education students ages 18-26.)

More information about the Schools-of-Choice program is available at LakeOrionSchools.org/SOC. 

 

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT INFORMATION

The Lake Orion High School seniors completed their academic career today, May 29. Though they couldn’t walk out of the LOHS building on their last day, many honored it by walking out of their homes, completing the school year’s theme of #StrongerTogether. Check out their departure.

LOHS families received a message on May 21 from the school administration, outlining the dates and times of the scheduled pick-up of year-end items and return of items.

For those who missed the message, the information is posted on the LOHS year-end page at LakeOrionSchools.org/LOHSYearEnd-2020.

 

SURVEY

With this school year almost complete and administrators planning for the fall – as much as possible, given the state guidance -- LOCS is seeking the community’s input. Families and students will be receiving a survey next week regarding home learning. The district asks that families and students complete the survey by the end of next week.

 

BOARD OF EDUCATION

The LOCS Board of Education continues to meet in a virtual setting.

The next regularly scheduled board meeting for district business will be held on Wednesday, June 3, at 6 p.m.

Each meeting will be live-streamed by ONTV and public participation is available by emailing the LOCS Board at least two hours prior to the meeting. More information on the board meetings is available on the Board of Education pages.

The Board wrapped up Teacher Appreciation Month with a video reminding the teachers that they are valued.

 

MEALS DISTRIBUTION

Only three pickup dates remain for the meals distribution for children in need: Monday, June 1; Thursday, June 4; and Monday, June 8.

The times (11 a.m.-12 p.m.) and locations (CERC building and Carpenter Elementary) remain the same.

 

ELEMENTARY BOOKS, FIELD TRIP

The elementary students continue to embrace learning in the final weeks.

Last month, the LOCS academic staff embraced a partnership with Golden Valley to deliver free books to the LOCS Kindergarten, first and second grade students. Nearly 13,000 books were delivered to students’ homes and they enjoyed their special surprises.

In the June 1 Home Learning Plans, second grade students will experience a tour of Lake Orion from teacher Kathy McMinn. Traditional field trips are not currently an option, but her recreation of our history and highlights is an experience all Dragons can enjoy.

 

ECC GROUNDBREAKING

As bond construction work continues, LOCS will feature a small groundbreaking ceremony next week for the new Early Childhood Center. 

Though the state’s stay home order and social distancing restrictions will limit the in-person attendees to those associated with the project, the ceremony will be live-streamed with viewing information shared next week at LOCSBond.org and LakeOrionSchools.org/EarlyChildhood. 

 

Thank you for your support as we approach the end of the school year. Though the future is uncertain, we gain more clarity each week and our staff members continue to plan, providing the best education for the students.

 

Sincerely,

Marion Ginopolis

Superintendent, Lake Orion Community Schools

 

Dear LOCS Families-

Thank you for your continued effort to keep the students engaged in learning through the end of the school year. Even though the circumstances have changed and we understand parents are more involved in the learning process, we appreciate that the student engagement remains strong.

The first week of increased video conferencing with teachers and students was a wonderful success, even as both sides ironed out the kinks. Seeing how everyone adapted to the new technology platforms gives us strong confidence moving forward, whatever the fall may bring.

Please remember Monday is Memorial Day, so it is a day off from school for staff and students, even in our home learning environment. Please spend the day considering those who have given their lives to keep us safe and enjoy (more) time with your family.

LOCS administrators are working on plans for the fall. However, nothing can be finalized without guidance from the Michigan Department of Education and the governor’s office. The district will be conducting a survey at the beginning of June to receive feedback and input regarding remote learning and fall scenarios.

 

A few district-wide updates for this week: 

RETURNING STUDENT REGISTRATION

Lake Orion Community Schools is now registering returning students for the 2020-21 school year at LakeOrionSchools.org/Register. The registration window runs from May 21 to June 12, 2020.

LOCS is aware of the initial issues regarding the appropriate student school/grade level assignments and the error message that arose. Both are being addressed by the district’s Central Enrollment department and will be sorted out as soon as possible.

The registration process is conducted through an online program called “Powerschool Enrollment” and families received their students’ individual SnapCode information this week.

LOCS will not be collecting school related fees at this time. School-related purchases/fees will be processed online in August.

Please complete the registration by June 12, 2020.

 

DEVELOPMENTAL KINDERGARTEN INTEREST

The DK interest form (LakeOrionSchools.org/DK-Interest) needs to be completed by any in-district parent no later than Friday, May 29 at 3 p.m. to have their child entered into the DK lottery.

Students MUST be turning 5 years old from July 1-December 1, 2020, in order to be eligible for DK for the 2020-21 school year. Students with birthdays prior to July 1 will not be eligible for DK.

The DK lottery will be at 10 a.m. on Monday, June 1, 2020.

 

SCHOOLS-OF-CHOICE

LOCS is continuing the Schools-of-Choice program for out-of-district residents interested in enrolling in the district for the 2020-21 school year. The application period is open through June 9.

The Schools-of-Choice Application 2020-2021 is available here for students interested in Grades K-8, Learning Options Alternative High School, and the PHASES program (Special Education students ages 18-26.)

More information about the Schools-of-Choice program is available at LakeOrionSchools.org/SOC.

 

SUMMER LEARNING PACKETS

Specific decisions regarding summer school for elementary and middle level students will not be made until LOCS receives guidance from the governor’s office and the Michigan Department of Education.

To supplement students' education this summer, LOCS will offer families summer learning packets.

These packets include literacy and math for Grades K-8. This is a great opportunity to keep students academically engaged throughout the summer.

Please take a moment to visit LakeOrionSchools.org/Summer-Packets to reserve a student’s printed summer learning packet.

The district will be printing these packets and will offer a drive-through, pick-up service the week of June 8 at Scripps Middle School (385 East Scripps Rd., Lake Orion)

The deadline to reserve a summer packet is Tuesday, May 26 at 3 p.m.

 

LAKE ORION HIGH SCHOOL PICK-UP/DROP-OFF DAYS

Lake Orion High School families received a message on Thursday, May 21, from the school administration, outlining the dates and times of their scheduled pick-up of year-end items and return of items.

For those who missed it, the information (along with all previous messages) is posted on the LOHS year-end page at LakeOrionSchools.org/LOHSYearEnd-2020.

 

BOARD OF EDUCATION

The LOCS Board of Education continues to meet in a virtual setting.

The next regularly scheduled board meeting for district business will be held on Wednesday, May 27, at 6 p.m.

Each meeting will be live-streamed by ONTV and public participation is available by emailing the LOCS Board at least two hours prior to the meeting.  More information on the board meetings is available on the Board of Education pages.

 

MEALS DISTRIBUTION

The LOCS meals distribution for children in need will shift slightly next week, occurring on TUESDAY, May 26, due to the Memorial Day holiday.

The times (11 a.m.-12 p.m.) and locations (CERC building and Carpenter Elementary) remain the same.

The schedule will resume with the usual Monday/Thursday distribution (after next Tuesday) and continue until the end of the scheduled school year, with the final distribution occurring on Monday, June 8. The full schedule of dates is available at LakeOrionSchools.org/FoodService.

 

FOOD SERVICE

The Food Service Department is encouraging families who may be experiencing a reduction or loss of income, due to the closures, to apply for the USDA’s Free and Reduced Meal Program. 

We realize that breakfast and lunch at school aren’t available, but there are many more benefits available for families based on their free or reduced meal benefit eligibility status.

Children who qualify will remain in effect for the first 30 operating days of the 2020-2021 school year. Please submit your online application at www.lunchapp.com.

 

Sincerely,

Marion Ginopolis

LOCS Superintendent

May 15, 2020

LOCS families-

I hope you are well and staying healthy.

The Lake Orion Community Schools staff continues to work hard for the district’s students, with a focus on the end of this school year and an eye towards the fall possibilities.

As our students continue to adapt to the Home Learning plans, our teachers are working to make it as effective as possible.

A teacher from each level (elementary, middle, high school and special education), came together this week in a video to explain the process.

Below are a few district-wide updates pertinent to this week.

 

POWERSCHOOL REGISTRATION FOR RETURNING STUDENTS

Next week, LOCS will begin the returning student registration process for the 2020-21 school year. All returning LOCS families will receive a communication from building principals on how to register your returning student for the 2020-2021 school year on Monday, May 18.

When families complete the returning student registration, LOCS will NOT be collecting fees for fall 2020 during returning student registration. Fees/school-related purchases will be collected in August. If you do not receive this PowerSchool Registration letter with your student’s personal Snap Code by May 22 at 4 p.m., please email your student’s building secretary or building principal for support. (Please check your junk mail/clutter to make sure the Snap Code was not routed there.)

 

HOME LEARNING UPDATES

LOCS will be expanding the Home Learning plan to twice-weekly video conference calls for students, beginning the week of Monday, May 18. The time schedule for each class’ meeting will be communicated by the student’s teacher.

Elementary teachers (grades DK-5) will be meeting via Zoom and teaching content from the weekly home learning template that is emailed and posted at LakeOrionSchools.org/HomeLearning. 

Secondary teachers (grades 6-12) will be meeting with students via Zoom or Microsoft Teams Teacher meetings will range from 30-40 minutes for grades 6-12. 

These meetings are optional for students; however, strongly encouraged. More information is available on the Home Learning page.

 

TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT

Parents/guardians whose district-issued technology device has a problem or if there is a password issue can contact the Oakland Schools Service Desk for assistance.

Only the parent/guardian can call, not a student. The parent/guardian can grant approval during the call for the student to speak, as long as the parent remains present.

If you have any questions or require assistance, please contact the Oakland Schools Service Desk by creating a service ticket, calling (248) 209-2060 or emailing osservicedesk@oakland.k12.mi.us.

More tech support, including how to maximize bandwidth, is available on the Home Learning page.

 

SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH

The LOCS Board of Education met Monday, May 11 to outline the next steps of the Superintendent Search.

Deciding to re-open the application process, the Board will now accept applications until June 1 at 4 p.m. and meet in a virtual setting on June 8 to determine the interview candidates. Following the meeting, they will be released publicly.

Monday’s decision reset the timeline for a hire and the new superintendent now has a scheduled start date of July 20.

More information about the Superintendent Search, including the application process, is available at LakeOrionSchools.org/SuptSearch.

 

BOARD OF EDUCATION

The LOCS Board of Education continues to meet in a virtual setting.

The next regularly scheduled board meeting for district business will be held on Wednesday, May 27, at 6 p.m.

Each meeting will be live-streamed by ONTV and public participation is available by emailing the LOCS Board.  More information on the board meetings is available on the Board of Education pages.

 

SCHOOLS-OF-CHOICE

LOCS is continuing the Schools-of-Choice program for out-of-district residents interested in enrolling in the district for the 2020-21 school year. The application period is open through June 9.

The Schools-of-Choice Application 2020-2021 is available here for students interested in Grades K-8, Learning Options Alternative High School, and the PHASES program (Special Educations students ages 18-26.)

More information about the Schools-of-Choice program is available at LakeOrionSchools.org/SOC.

 

Sincerely,

Marion Ginopolis

LOCS Superintendent

 

May 8, 2020

Dear Lake Orion Community Schools Families-

Hopefully, you’ve had a positive week, filled with outside enjoyment, opportunities to embrace spring and meaningful home learning experiences from the LOCS staff.

(It’s still a great time to thank them, capping off Teacher Appreciation Week.)

As we all continue to adapt to the various state and county orders, within LOCS we are evaluating, guiding and planning.

We have a few updates to end this week.

 

POWERSCHOOL REGISTRATION FOR RETURNING STUDENTS

LOCS usually sends out Snap Codes to families for returning student registration in July for high school students and August for middle school and elementary students. For the 2020-2021 school year, LOCS is going to start the registration process for returning students earlier (May 18 – June 12). 

All returning LOCS families will be receiving a communication from building principals the week of May 18, with Snap Codes to register your student for the 2020-2021 school year.

If you do not receive this PowerSchool Registration letter with your personal Snap Code, please email the building secretary or building principal for support.

 

BOND CONSTRUCTION

The LOCS Bond planning meetings have continued, remotely, during the school building closures. The design teams for the Stadium Drive and Paint Creek projects continue to discuss the plans and tweak designs. Updates on those meetings and all bond information is available at LOCSBond.org.

With the construction ban lifted, LOCS construction manager Frank Rewold and Sons was back on site immediately on Thursday, May 7, progressing with the projects at Carpenter Elementary and Orion Oaks Elementary. Both were underway prior to the state’s construction shutdown.

 

ACADEMIC PLAN

Students throughout the district continue to embrace the academic Home Learning Plans. The elementary and middle school plans are shared on Friday afternoons by teachers and at LakeOrionSchools.org/HomeLearning. The high school students receive their weekly plans from teachers on Monday morning. The student engagement and creativity applying their learning shows the resiliency of our Dragons.

 

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION

Kindergarten registration for the fall of 2020 is now available online. The enrollment link is available on the Central Enrollment page at LakeOrionSchools.org/Enroll. We look forward to meeting our new students in the fall!

 

BOARD OF EDUCATION

The LOCS Board of Education will hold two meetings next week.

On Monday, May 11 at 6 p.m., the Superintendent Search process will officially resume as the board determines the interview candidates. The majority of that meeting will be held in a closed session as the board members assess the applications. Once the closed session is complete, they will return to the open forum and announce the candidates who are offered interview slots.

A regularly scheduled board meeting for district business will be held on Wednesday, May 13, also at 6 p.m.

Each meeting will be live-streamed by ONTV. More information on the board meetings is available on the Board of Education pages.

 

Thank you for your support of LOCS in these changing times.

 

Sincerely,

Marion Ginopolis

LOCS Superintendent

May 1, 2020

Dear LOCS Families-

 

With May finally here and the weather turning, hope is rising.

Lake Orion Community Schools staff and students continue to shine with our Home Learning Plan, showing off their creativity whenever possible.

As we look forward, district administrators are planning for the final six weeks of this school year and beyond, into the summer and next fall.

Though there is uncertainty about the landscape, we are trying to prepare however we can to provide the best experience for our students in every situation.

Most of our updates this week focus on the future, which is an exciting thought for many of us.

 

KINDERGARTEN

Have a child ready to join our district and join the great Dragon tradition? LOCS announced that Kindergarten registration for the fall of 2020 is now available online. The enrollment link is available on the Central Enrollment page at LakeOrionSchools.org/Enroll. We look forward to meeting our new students in the fall!

 

HIGH SCHOOL SUMMER SCHOOL (CREDIT FORWARD/CREDIT RECOVERY)

Enrollment is now open for LOCS High School students (LOHS and Learning Options) who want to take advantage of the traditional summer school program. The Credit Forward and Credit Recovery program information and enrollment is available at LakeOrionSchools.org/HS-SummerSchool.

Summer school programs for elementary school, middle school and special education students would be more appropriate in an in-person setting, so LOCS will have to wait to see if the state of Michigan orders allow for that scenario. The district will share that option if it becomes available.

 

STUDENT LUNCH BALANCES

With the school buildings closed for the rest of the 2019-2020 school year, the LOCS Food Service Department has a few year-end reminders for families. Each current student’s meal account balance will roll over automatically into the new school year. Students who are graduating or moving out of the district may contact the Food Service Office to address their remaining balance. Parents can opt to donate the balance to a “Pay It Forward Account” which helps students who are in need; roll it over to a sibling’s meal account; request a refund and provide the address where to mail the check. For information, please contact Lynette Van Houzen in the Food Service Department at Lynette.Vanhouzen@lok12.org or by calling (248) 814-0201.

 

EBT CARDS FOR STUDENTS IN STATE MEAL PROGRAM

The state of Michigan established a Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer Program (P-EBT) to provide temporary funding to address emergency food needs for families affected by the pandemic.

Students ages 5-18 who are enrolled in the Michigan Department of Education program for free or reduced-price school meals were scheduled to be sent supplementary funds to support their nutritional needs.

An EBT debit card was slated to be sent by mail to families, so please be aware. More information about the program is available on the state of Michigan website.

 

BOND CONSTRUCTION

In a recent executive order, the state of Michigan announced that construction could resume safely throughout the state on May 7. LOCS is hoping this will allow the district’s previously scheduled bond construction projects to resume, so they can be completed in time for the start of the 2020-21 school year.

 

SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH

The Lake Orion Community Schools Superintendent Search has resumed. The LOCS Board of Education will hold its next meeting the evening of May 11, which will be live-streamed through the ONTV web portal. The meeting will comply with the Open Meetings Act by opening and closing in a public setting, but the bulk of that agenda will be conducted in a closed session to discuss the candidate applications and determine those invited to be interviewed. More information, including future meeting dates, is available at LakeOrionSchools.org/SuptSearch.

 

TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK

The first week of May is recognized nationally as Teacher Appreciation Week. Though our students are not in the school buildings, our teachers continue to connect with them through the Home Learning plans. Hopefully, families have even more appreciation for the wonderful connection our teachers have with the students and can help recognize them in some way next week. 

Today, May 1, is Principal Appreciation Day, so it’s also an opportunity to recognize our school leaders.

 

HONORING THE FRONTLINE LOCS ALUMS

The district would like honor all Lake Orion Community Schools alums who are frontline medical workers.

If you know someone who is working in the medical profession, helping protect all of us during the COVID-19 outbreak, please share their information and attach a photo -- ideally on or at their workplace -- below so we can honor them.

Please complete the form at LakeOrionSchools.org/FrontlineAlums so the community can see these Dragons making an impact.

 

Thank you for your interest and support of our district during this challenging time. Please reach out with your questions on these and other topics at communications@lok12.org.

 

Thank you,

Marion Ginopolis

LOCS Superintendent

 

April 24, 2020

Dear LOCS Families-

As we conclude another week in our COVID-19 world, I am pleased with our progress.

While respecting the state of Michigan’s executive orders to Stay Home and Stay Safe, our staff and families have adapted to our changing reality and found a rhythm.

I hope you were able to view my video message last week about my pride in our LOCS and Orion community, thoughts shared by all of our administrators.

Today, I’d like to share a few updates on district-related programs and important information.

 

STAY HOME ORDER

State of Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer extended the state’s Stay Home order for an additional two weeks, scheduled to expire on May 15.

She explained the restrictions will relax in a few areas, but none of those items directly impacted the school plans, so LOCS buildings and facilities remain closed as we abide by the state order.

 

PROGRAM REGISTRATIONS

We understand that many families would like to begin registering for programs. At this time, with the Stay Home order in place, our departments are only operating remotely. When that changes, we intend for the registrations to follow as we will have a better idea of what programs will be possible. Until then, all registrations are on hold. If alternative means are available, we will share that information.

There are many uncertainties with our programs and celebrations scheduled for the end of the school year. LOCS administrators are working to keep as many intact as possible, in whatever form is available. These are constant internal conversations, taking into account the health guidelines and we will share details on the programs as they are determined and adjusted.

 

POWERSCHOOL

Earlier this month we shared that PowerSchool’s server was reset, changing our access links. We have updated them on our website and you can update your browser bookmark (https://lakeorion.powerschool.com/public/). If you use the mobile app and are having any problems, please remove it and re-install it to ensure it is updated to the new server.

 

MINDFULNESS

LOCS Mindfulness Instructor Stephanie Harris continues to produce three Mindfulness sessions each week, one for elementary students, one for teens and one for adults. Please embrace these free opportunities to calm and boost the mental health of you and your students. Featured on Fox 2 News this week, they are available to all residents in and out of the community at LakeOrionSchools.org/Mindfulness.

 

MEALS DISTRIBUTION

Pre-packaged meals continue to be distributed each Monday and Thursday for children in need. The meals are distributed from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. at Carpenter Elementary and the CERC Building, with the LOCS staff taking appropriate social distancing precautions in preparation and distribution. Each distribution contains a bag with enough meals to cover the span until the next distribution (i.e. Monday has 3 days of meals and Thursday has four days.) The meals are intended for children 18 years and under, as well as those with intellectual disabilities age 26 and younger.

 

ACADEMIC PLAN

The LOCS Continuity of Learning Academic Plan, approved by the state of Michigan’s guidelines, continues to offer lessons for LOCS students each week. The Home Learning Plans are distributed by Grades DK-8 teachers through email each Friday afternoon, as well as posted at LakeOrionSchools.org/HomeLearning. The high school plans are shared from teachers to students each Monday morning. More details about the high school plans are available at LakeOrionSchools.org/LOHS. Specific questions about the Grades 9-11 plans were also clarified in a video from Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Heidi Mercer. Special Education students are contacted directly by their teachers. 

 

BOARD OF EDUCATION

The LOCS Board of Education has resumed its regular meeting schedule, in a virtual setting. As with their previous meetings in the board room, the meetings are live-streamed on ONTV’s website (https://orionontv.org/live-stream) and broadcast on the Education Channel. They’re also archived for playback at any time (https://playback.orionontv.org/CablecastPublicSite/?channel=2). 

 

SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH

The Board took action during a special meeting on Monday, April 20, to re-open the Superintendent Search. The next step will be reviewing applicants and narrowing the field to the interviewees at an upcoming closed-session meeting. Once the interviewees are determined, their names will be released publicly and public interview times will be shared so the public can view on the live-stream broadcast. All Superintendent Search details are available at LakeOrionSchools.org/SuptSearch.

 

Our country and world are experiencing an ever-changing traumatic event and we are all doing our best to adapt daily. My thoughts go out to the families who have faced personal loss during this time and we hope to support you if we can. Please reach out to LOCS at communications@lok12.org if we can assist your family.

 

Please stay safe,

Marion Ginopolis

Superintendent, Lake Orion Community Schools

After a month of watching LOCS students and staff embrace change, Superintendent Marion Ginopolis shared her pride and offered updates in a video to the community. #AlwaysLakeOrion

 

Dear LOCS Families-

At the end of another week of our unexpected circumstances due to the COVID-19 virus, we all should be proud of how we’re handling the challenges, how we’re modifying our routines and how we’re embracing the adjustments.

While school buildings are closed for instruction through the remainder of the school year, the work of Lake Orion Community Schools rolls on, although in a different form.

We will continue to bring you these updates, both to remind that we are still connected to your children and your family as well as sharing the impressive work continuing among our staff.

 

ACADEMIC PLAN

Hopefully, your student found the upgraded Home Learning Plan this week and began finding a rhythm to complete the opportunities. LOCS staff members have created the plans tailored to each grade for DK-8, shared in emails to all students/families on Monday and also posted at LakeOrionSchools.org/HomeLearning. Students in Grades 9-12 will receive an email from their individual teachers on Monday and special education students also will be contacted by their teachers. Please check emails and the website link the morning of Monday, April 13 for the new week’s opportunities. 

As the Teaching and Learning Department continues to process the state’s academic plan requirements, the plans will continue to evolve.

 

STAY HOME, STAY SAFE ORDER

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer extended the state’s “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order on Thursday, shifting the end to April 30. LOCS is making every effort to abide by the order, which requires all non-essential jobs to remain shut down. The order also instructs citizens to observe and follow appropriate social distancing polices and not gather with a group beyond those in an immediate household.

 

LOCS BUILDINGS/FACILITIES CLOSED

Due to the Stay Home order, all LOCS buildings/fields/facilities are closed. That means all fields and playgrounds are off-limits to everyone. While many students and parents have inquired about retrieving items from the school buildings, due to the order, the buildings are closed until the order is lifted. When that occurs, LOCS will notify families of the process to enter buildings for specific items. Please do not try to enter schools or buildings at this time.

 

MEALS DISTRIBUTION FOR CHILDREN IN NEED

Thanks to our wonderful Food Service and Transportation staff members, the meals distribution for children in need continues on the new schedule – Monday and Thursday from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. The same two sites, the CERC Building and Carpenter Elementary, are the locations for the orderly pick-up of meals, which last for the duration until the next pick-up date. Please remember, families are asked to pick up only at one site and only for children in need.

 

BOARD MEETING

The LOCS Board of Education held its first remote board meeting on Wednesday afternoon to hear about the multitude of district-related issues during the school closure and discuss district business. The meeting was live-streamed on ONTV, is currently re-airing on the education channel and is available for on-demand replay at https://playback.orionontv.org/CablecastPublicSite/show/986?channel=2.

 

COUNSELING

The LOCS counseling staff and Family School Coordinators at each school are available for student connection via email. Students can contact the counseling staff at their individual email addresses to set up an email exchange appointment. For families looking for some calming resources for their children and themselves, please check out our Mindfulness sessions posted three times each week at LakeOrionSchools.org/Mindfulness.

 

As we continue to move forward, we are thinking of you and your families, especially as many are experiencing a holiday season. Please stay safe and reach out to us at communications@lok12.org if there is anything we can do or assist in finding help beyond our district roles.

 

Thank you,

Marion Ginopolis

Superintendent, Lake Orion Community Schools

April 3, 2020 Dear Dragon Family, We hope this communication finds you and your family healthy. We are all in uncharted waters. The global pandemic is impacting every corner of our lives, which is hard not only on our children, but also us, as parents and educators. Learning remains our mission, so we in Lake Orion Community Schools will continue to find ways to enhance that, even from a distance. Based on our school closure extending through this school year, staff have been working hard to prepare remote learning opportunities for all of our students. As we get used to this “new normal,” we are asking for patience and understanding from all stakeholders. Although we want work to be rigorous and meaningful, we also do not want to overwhelm or add stress to our students and families.  There is no replacing the interactions between teachers and students. But we can offer suggestions and supports to help our students stay engaged through this unprecedented disruption in their education.  Our intent is to offer flexible academic options for our students, understanding the family support varies, due to personal circumstances.      Elementary On Monday, April 6, parents of Grades DK-5 students will be receiving the first week’s activities.  These activities will be sent via email by your student’s teacher at 10:00 a.m. These activities will also be posted on our website. The plans will come out each Monday for the week. Students can work at their own pace and time. There will not be a specific scheduled time for elementary students to have to “attend class” via a video platform. All students across the district will be receiving the same activities, according to their grade level. There will be one template with all content areas and specials included, see the attached document. These activities are not required but strongly suggested. The Home Learning Resource Padlet that has been on the website will also continue to be available. Students can send their work/activities via email to teachers and teachers will provide feedback.     Middle School On Monday, April 6, parents of Grades 6-8 students will be receiving the first week’s activities. These activities will be sent via email by your student’s teacher/team at 10:00 a.m. These activities will also be posted on our website. The plans will come out each Monday for the week. Students can work at their own pace and time. There will not be a specific scheduled time for middle school students to have to “attend class” via a video platform. All students across the district will be receiving the same activities, according to their grade level. There will be one template with all content areas and elective classes included, see the attached document. These activities are not required but strongly suggested. The Home Learning Resource Padlet that has been on the website will also continue to be available. Students can send their work/activities via email to teachers and teachers will provide feedback. No standards-based grades will be given at this point.     High School On Monday, April 6 at 10:00 a.m., students will be receiving emails from each of their teachers with classwork. This classwork is not required at this point but strongly encouraged.  Students can send their work/activities via email to teachers and teachers will provide feedback. No grades will be given at this point.     All Students It is important to note that we are continuing to evolve our academic plan to best meet our students' needs. There may be changes to the plan as time progresses, such as grading of work and work being required especially at the high school level. We are currently reviewing the executive order from Governor Whitmer to ensure we meet all requirements. The district must submit a learning plan to our local intermediate school district. That template is not available currently. It is expected later today.  The district will then further work on the learning plan to ensure all requirements are met and submit the plan as soon as possible. We do not anticipate at any time for there to be required class times via Zoom or other internet-based platforms that students would need to engage with their teacher at a specific scheduled time of day for DK-8. We realize that many families are sharing devices and to stipulate a specific time would be difficult for many families. We continue to work on technology distribution. The district did conduct a survey. We are prioritizing based on need. We do not have enough devices for every family. In addition, Governor Whitmer’s executive order states that the learning plan cannot be 100% online. Our plan will have a variety of activities, all will not require a device. Below are a couple links for wi-fi: https://corporate.charter.com/newsroom/charter-to-offer-free-access-to-spectrum-broadband-and-wifi-for-60-days-for-new-K12-and-college-student-households-and-more https://www.internetessentials.com/covid19#thingstoknow&all_Pricingandotherinfo As always, thank you for your understanding and dedication in making the 2019-20 school year a success, regardless of the unprecedented situations we all face together. Please know that we take your child’s education seriously and are committed to doing the best we can to support your child both academically and social emotionally. As a reminder, there are many resources for parents and students on the Home Learning Resource Padlet that may help you support your child’s emotional and mental well-being during this time. We will get through this together! We are DRAGON strong! Sincerely, Heidi Mercer Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning Lake Orion Community Schools

Dear LOCS Families:

At the end of another week of our school closure, I remain very proud of our staff, students and community members for their resiliency.

The twists and turns continue and everyone is adapting the best they can.

This week’s executive order from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer stated that all school buildings will be closed through the rest of the 2019-20 school year. She detailed the need for remote learning during the continued school closure. While the requirements of her order are still being interpreted by administrators across the state, our team in Lake Orion Community Schools is already ahead of this process.

The district’s remote learning opportunities will launch next week, under the direction of Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Heidi Mercer and her team. They’ve spent numerous hours preparing for Monday’s launch and I have full confidence that it supports our students and their educational growth.

REMOTE ACADEMIC PLAN

The LOCS remote academic plan will begin on Monday, April 6, 2020. The K-8 plan will be distributed in two ways: via teachers directly through emails to parents and it will be posted on LakeOrionSchools.org. High school staff will communicate directly with the students. Rest assured, there will not be specific times in which students will be required to complete their work. More specific information will be shared in a district-wide communication on Friday, April 3.

ONLINE AWARENESS

With families remaining home during the stay at home order from Gov. Whitmer, online time has likely increased within your homes. Now, more than ever, we ask that parents be vigilant in protecting their children’s online privacy and be aware of their online interactions.

The remote conferencing platforms (Zoom, GoToMeeting, WebEx, Google Hangouts) are wonderful communication tools, but all have vulnerabilities as well. Please remind students to act and dress appropriately when in front of the camera, do not accept online invitations from anyone unknown and not to share information with anyone they do not know.

Parents, please make your best effort to monitor what sites and tools your students are using and ask them not to record or take photos of the screen when anyone else is visible. Under no circumstances should they share an online group conference photo or screen on social media, due to the privacy concerns of the other children on screen.

POWERSCHOOL UPDATE

PowerSchool will be updated and available by the end of the week. The website links have changed for all staff, students and parents. But usernames and passwords remain the same.

New link for Parents and Students: https://lakeorion.powerschool.com/public/home.html

Teachers: https://lakeorion.powerschool.com/teachers/pw.html

Administrators:  https://lakeorion.powerschool.com/admin/pw.html

The links are also updated on the LOCS website (LakeOrionSchools.org/Resources).

The PowerSchool mobile app login remains the same. If a parent/student has a problem with the app, remove it and reinstall. The app’s LOCS district code is ZWXF.

BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING

The LOCS Board of Education will hold its regularly scheduled meeting on April 8, with a few modifications for the current situation. The meeting will be held remotely, at 2 p.m., with all board members and LOCS administrators participating via a remote platform. The community will be able to watch the meeting on the usual ONTV livestream: https://orionontv.org/live-stream

MEAL DISTRIBUTION UPDATE

LOCS will continue to distribute meals to all children in the community ages 18 and younger. The distribution schedule will shift slightly beginning Monday, April 6, as meal distributions will be held only on Monday (three days of meals) and Thursday (four days of meals.)  We will still have our planned distribution this Friday, April 3. The distribution will continue at the same locations (CERC and Carpenter Elementary) and remain from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. on each of the two days.

In closing, there are many unknowns based on the executive order that will have to be examined in the coming days, so we don’t have all the answers yet. But as we finalize them, I will continue to keep you informed.

Thank you for your patience and understanding in our evolving world.

Marion Ginopolis, Superintendent

March 27, 2020

Dear LOCS Families-

We’ve progressed through another week few could have imagined and I’m so impressed with our community. Seeing our students’ creativity at home, our teachers’ remote collaboration and our staff and Board of Education trustees assisting with meals inspires me.

The Orion community, in and around our district, encourages me daily in this process. Each week, I participate in group online meetings with the leaders of the Orion area and the way our community rallies, helping those who need it and understanding the severity of the situation, is rare among cites and townships.

These experiences and seeing your social media sharing remind me why I have enjoyed my time in LOCS over the past decade and it heartens me for when we reach the other side of this trying time.

SCHOOL CLOSURE

Though Governor Gretchen Whitmer made a public statement on Friday about her expectation for the school schedule, I would like to remind our families that nothing is definitive. I am aware of her comments, but my understanding is that a conclusive answer will come in the future, not today. As we have previously, LOCS will inform you when we have an official notice of the plans beyond the April 13 expiration of the stay-at-home order. 

POWERSCHOOL

Due to a previously planned server update, families and staff members will not be able to access Powerschool next week, March 29 through at least April 3. LOCS will send out an email with more information once it is up and running again.

FIELDS, BUILDINGS, FACILITIES CLOSED

LOCS buildings, fields and facilities are closed to the public. As the district complies with the state of Michigan’s stay-at-home order, the goal is to avoid public gatherings. By having our fields and buildings closed, that is one significant way to assist that process.

MINDFULNESS

Thanks to our LOCS Mindfulness expert, Stephanie Harris, students and parents in our district have an opportunity to ease their anxiety in this time of need. She is producing short videos to be released once each week for three different groups – one for our middle and high school students on Mondays, one for adults on Wednesdays and one for elementary students on Fridays – as an opportunity to help community members cope. The videos are available on our Mindfulness page: https://www.lakeorionschools.org/resources/mindfulness.

HOME LEARNING

The Teaching and Learning Department has spent the recent weeks creating the next phase of home learning for our students. Following spring break, the LOCS educational program will evolve. Using remote learning capabilities, students will connect with teachers in a designed program with more specific materials than the current padlet. While the padlet will still be available and updated for supplementary resources, teachers will be reaching out with grade and class-specific lessons. More details will be sent to families prior to April 6.

SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH

The LOCS Board of Education has suspended the Superintendent Search process during the school closure. President Jim Weidman's letter to the community is available for more details:  https://www.lakeorionschools.org/board-of-education/superintendent-search.

FOOD

The LOCS meals distribution program will continue moving forward on the Monday/Wednesday/Friday schedule from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. at the CERC building and Carpenter Elementary site. The process is extremely efficient with our food service, transportation, and administrative staff all playing a role while respecting social distancing. We would like to thank those families who have picked up food for their orderly and respectful understanding of the procedures.

SOCIAL MEDIA  

Twitter: If you don't already have a twitter account, you may want to sign up so that you can receive very current information from me and from the district. If you need help setting up a Twitter account, email communications@lok12.org and we can send you instructions. To follow me: @marionginopolis. To follow the district @LKOrionSchools.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lkorionschools/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/LakeOrionCommunitySchools/

Website: I encourage you to frequently visit our district website at https://www.lakeorionschools.org/ and especially updated information about the Corona Virus https://www.lakeorionschools.org/resources/coronavirus-awareness.

I wish all of you and your families a safe, healthy modified spring break week ahead. Please follow all directives so that we can get through this most difficult time and unknown future.

Sincerely,

Marion Ginopolis

Superintendent, Lake Orion Community Schools

March 23, 2020

LOCS families –

As we enter the second week of the COVID-19 school closure, we wanted to reach out and keep connecting with you. We miss seeing your students in person, so we hope you will continue to reach out on social media to share the adventures and experiences everyone is embracing in their adjusted home life.

The serious nature of our society’s shift continues to intensify and we want to be a resource for families and students who need help. If there are circumstances you feel are weighing down your family or children, please reach out to us confidentially at communications@lok12.org and we will try to find assistance wherever we can.

We are keeping in close touch with Orion community leaders as well and we have a strong belief that working together is an essential component in unusual times.

Today, we have a few topical updates to share:

STATE ORDER: STAY HOME

Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer issued a three-week “stay home” order for the state of Michigan for all citizens, with only essential personnel considered exceptions. The order details were announced earlier today. Because the order extends until April 13, the school closure will continue until at least that point.

HOME LEARNING

When LOCS returns to its home learning on April 6, following spring break, the LOCS educational program will evolve. Using remote learning capabilities, students will connect with teachers in a designed program with more specific materials than the current padlet. While the padlet will still be available and updated for supplementary resources, teachers will be reaching out with grade and class-specific lessons. More details will come prior to April 6.

STATE ASSESSMENTS

The annual M-STEP state assessment testing will likely be waived for this year. The state of Michigan applied for a waiver to be released from those assessment tests this year and it was granted by the federal government on Monday.

MINDFULNESS

Our LOCS mindfulness expert, Oakview Middle School teacher Stephanie Harris, is preparing short resources for our students to embrace and ease their anxiety in this time of need.

The short videos will be released once each week – one for our Grade K-6 students and one for our Grade 7-12 students – as an opportunity to help them cope.

Ms. Harris is also working on a presentation to support adults and we will share more information about that when it is finalized.

MEALS

The first week of meal pick-up went smoothly at the CERC building and Carpenter Elementary. The LOCS Food Service workers, Transportation staff, Safe-Ed employees and a few administrators were wonderful participants, providing meals for the community’s children.

LOCS will continue the program on Wednesday, March 25, from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. at the same sites -- the CERC building (455 E. Scripps Road) and Carpenter Elementary (2290 Flintridge) – with meals for all children 18 and younger.

BUILDINGS CLEANED

After closing the LOCS buildings for six full days to allow any strains of the virus to die off a hard surface, the schools are scheduled to be disinfected this week by the cleaning crews. That is an extensive process that will take much of the week and prepare the building for when our students and staff members return.

KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION POSTPONED

The Kindergarten Registration Day previously scheduled for this week is postponed indefinitely. Please share that information with family, friends and neighbors who were planning to attend, as they are not in our School Messenger system. LOCS will widely announce a rescheduled date when it is available.

 

Sincerely,

Marion Ginopolis

Superintendent

Lake Orion Community Schools

Dear LOCS Families –

Hopefully your families are staying safe as the COVID-19 school closure continues.

Lake Orion Community Schools will continue to reach out with information on a regular basis, as developments emerge.

Today, we wanted to share just a few items.

 

MEALS

The first day of meal pick-up (Wednesday, March 18) went smoothly at the CERC building and Carpenter Elementary. The LOCS Food Service workers, Transportation staff and Safe-Ed employees did a great job providing meals for the community and handling a process that was brand new to everyone.

LOCS will continue the program on Friday, March 20, from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. at the same sites -- the CERC building (455 E. Scripps Road) and Carpenter Elementary (2290 Flintridge) – with meals for all children 18 and younger. Because it is a Friday, there will be meals provided to last through the weekend, until Monday’s distribution.

 

COMMUNITY INTERACTION

As stated in national briefings, the recommendation is to keep gatherings to under 10 people to help flatten the curve and reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Nationally and regionally, that has involved various group events being canceled.

Locally, we want to remind families that should extend to avoiding playdates and sleepovers.

We understand it is challenging to have children at home with only their family members for extended periods of time, but we are all following these recommendations for the greater community result and hopefully a quicker resumption of our usual lives.

 

HOME LEARNING RESOURCES

LOCS takes seriously the mission of educating every student every day while in the classroom. We also take special care regarding our students emotionally. 

The LOCS academic plan is built on the foundation that we cannot replicate the classroom experience and we are trying to minimize student and family stress. 

All resources are optional and designed to offer students the chance to enjoy learning, at their own pace and discretion.

LOCS also recognizes that our teachers need to take care of their own families during this time.

The information we receive regarding the situation changes frequently and our administration is processing and adapting to it as it shifts. Our Teaching and Learning staff members meet in a virtual setting every day to discuss the programs.

The padlet is our academic plan through April 5. We are facing two weeks of lost instruction time. The third week (March 30-April 3) is our scheduled spring break. If the district is required to remain closed after April 5, further details will be provided.

Teachers will not assign new classwork through April 5.

All Home Learning Resources on the padlet are linked on the front page of each school’s website.

There are many areas children can grow during this time that are just as valuable as core content. Students may learn to cook, work around the house, write a letter, practice filling out a job application, interviewing skills, create a resume, enjoy the outdoors, among other opportunities.

For those looking for more specific information about the LOCS curriculum for your student’s grade level, check out the curriculum pages: https://www.lakeorionschools.org/teaching-and-learning/curriculum

Please be sure that you are staying in tune with your child’s emotional state. This is a very unsettling time and your child’s mental well-being should come first over academic learning.  

If a family has more questions about the Home Learning Resources, there is an LOCS Frequently Asked Questions page addressing many of those.

 

PHYSICAL HEALTH

The health and safety of LOCS students remains a high priority and, even away from the LOCS buildings, remaining vigilant about health is essential.

As Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said, mitigation of the virus is the reason for closing schools and that should remain foremost in everyone’s thoughts during the period away from school as well.

Please monitor students and all others in their families for any signs of compromised health.

Oakland County has set up an Emergency Hotline for COVID-19 (248-858-1000).

It is important for families to be aware of the signs of the virus and to report to a health official if symptoms indicate concern of the situation.

Patients with confirmed infection have reportedly had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of: 

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath 

The precautions and recommendations from state health officials remain in place.

• The best prevention for viruses, such as influenza, the common cold or COVID-19 is to: 
• Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for 20 seconds. If not available, use hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.   
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or upper sleeve when coughing or sneezing.   
• Avoid contact with people who are sick.
• If you are sick, stay home, and avoid contact with others.

 

MENTAL HEALTH

With such a significant disruption, students may be confused or struggling to process the extreme events of the recent days and weeks.

There are many resources available from reputable organizations to address anxiety and explain the virus, as well as the process unfolding. We have posted a number of these on the LakeOrionSchools.org/coronavirus page.

 

Our LOCS students and families remain in our thoughts, even as they are away from the buildings during this required closure.

LOCS will continue to share information as it evolves and is pertinent to our students and staff.

Resources continue to be updated on the LakeOrionSchools.org/coronavirus page, day by day.

 

Sincerely,

Marion Ginopolis

Superintendent, Lake Orion Community Schools

Dear LOCS Families-

This is an unprecedented time in our country battling the COVID-19 coronavirus and, like all of you, we are trying to make the best decisions for everyone, particularly the Lake Orion Community Schools students.

As we all adjust our current reality, we will try to keep you informed as we acquire more information.

Thank you for those who entered the buildings briefly Monday to retrieve necessary student personal items. It was an efficient process and reminded of our community’s understanding of the circumstances.

This update shares information about the Home Learning Resources, the food distribution plan, wireless connectivity, building access and the LOCS communication channels.

 

HOME LEARNING RESOURCES

LOCS takes seriously the mission of educating every student every day while in the classroom.  We also take special care regarding our students emotionally.  The following plan is built on the foundation that we cannot replicate the classroom experience and we are trying to minimize student and family stress. All resources are optional and designed to offer students the chance to enjoy learning, at their own pace and discretion. 

LOCS also recognizes that our teachers need to take care of their own families during this time.  In addition, the information we receive regarding the situation changes frequently.  We are doing the best we can with the information. 

• Please be sure that you are staying in tune with your child’s emotional state. This is a very unsettling time and your child’s mental well-being should come first over academic learning.  
• The padlet is our academic plan through April 5. We are dealing with two weeks of lost instruction time. The third week is our scheduled spring break. If the district is required to remain closed after April 5, further details will be provided.
• Teachers will not assign new classwork through April 5.
• There are many things that children can learn during this time that are just as valuable as core content.  This is an opportunity where students may learn to cook, work around the house, write a letter, practice filling out a job application, interviewing skills, create a resume, enjoy the outdoors, among other opportunities.
• All learning resources are linked on the front page of each school’s website.
• LOCS continues to monitor end of the marking period dates. Lake Orion High School exams will be postponed. No new dates have been set.
• State standardized testing (M-STEP, PSAT/SAT) remains suspended, while grad requirements, make up of instructional time and AP testing will be communicated at some point in the future.
• For those looking for more specific information about the LOCS curriculum for your student’s grade level, check out the curriculum pages: https://www.lakeorionschools.org/teaching-and-learning/curriculum.

 

FOOD DISTRIBUTION

LOCS established a food distribution plan for all children 18 years old and younger, regardless of their school or the community where they live. Meals will be available Monday, Wednesday and Fridays from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. at the CERC Building (455 E. Scripps Road) and Carpenter Elementary (2290 Flintridge.) 

The distribution will begin this Wednesday, March 18.

Packaged breakfast and lunch will be available for enough days until the next pick-up appointment. Parents may pick up meals for their children, without the children present.

A flyer detailing the pickup details is available at LakeOrionSchools.org/FoodService.

 

WIRELESS CONNECTIVITY

With many residents remaining home as they practice social distancing, Internet access remains a priority.

Comcast shared information on Monday, with a few offers.

From the press release: Xfinity WiFi hotspots across the country will be available to anyone who needs them for free – including non-Xfinity Internet subscribers. For a map of Xfinity WiFi hotspots, visit www.xfinity.com/wifi. Once at a hotspot, consumers should select the “xfinitywifi” network name in the list of available hotspots, and then launch a browser.

New customers will receive 60 days of complimentary Internet Essentials service, which is normally available to all qualified low-income households for $9.95/month.

 

BUILDING ACCESS/CLEANING

With COVID-19 spreading, cleaning the facilities is critical.

To accomplish that in the most effective manner, the buildings will be closed from Tuesday, March 17-Sunday, March 22, to all personnel, public and LOCS staff members. 

The Centers for Disease Control shared that the virus can live up to three days on a hard surface. As a precaution, the district will close all buildings for twice that long, six full days, to ensure any potential remnants of the virus are eliminated.

Beginning the week of March 23 and continuing the week of March 30, the cleaning crews will disinfect the buildings, technology and school buses with only limited access to certain LOCS staff members.

 

PHYSICAL HEALTH

The health and safety of LOCS students remains a high priority and, even away from the LOCS buildings, remaining vigilant about health is essential.

As Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said, mitigation of the virus is the reason for closing schools and that should remain foremost in everyone’s thoughts during the period away from school as well.

Please monitor students and all others in their families for any signs of compromised health.

Oakland County has set up an Emergency Hotline for COVID-19 (248-858-1000).

It is important for families to be aware of the signs of the virus and to report to a health official if symptoms indicate concern of the situation.

Patients with confirmed infection have reportedly had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of: 

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath 

The precautions and recommendations from state health officials remain in place.

The best prevention for viruses, such as influenza, the common cold or COVID-19 is to: 

• Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for 20 seconds. If not available, use hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.   
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or upper sleeve when coughing or sneezing.   
• Avoid contact with people who are sick.
• If you are sick, stay home, and avoid contact with others.

 

MENTAL HEALTH

With such a significant disruption, students may be confused or struggling to process the extreme events of the recent days and weeks.

There are many resources available from reputable organizations to address anxiety and explain the virus, as well as the process unfolding. We have posted a number of these on the LakeOrionSchools.org/coronavirus page.

Our LOCS students and families remain in our thoughts, even as they are away from the buildings during this required closure.

LOCS will continue to share information as it evolves and is pertinent to our students and staff.

Resources continue to be updated on the LakeOrionSchools.org/coronavirus page, day by day and often hour by hour. 

 

COMMUNICATIONS

Please rely on official sources of communication to obtain information about the district’s intentions and plans.

The LakeOrionSchools.org website and social media channels will be monitored and updated as usual during the school closure. If there is a pressing matter, please contact the district at communications@lok12.org.

 

Thank you for your patience during this uncertainty. Even as your students are away from our classrooms, we know they are growing in the world and learning in many unseen ways. We look forward to having them back in our schools and all of us together as soon as it is safe.

I wish the best for you and your families in this period of time.

 

Sincerely,

Marion Ginopolis

Superintendent, Lake Orion Community Schools

Dear LOCS Families-

Thank you for your patience.

In these unique times amid the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, the Lake Orion Community Schools administrative team is working day and night to live up to our promise to provide the best education and support for our students.

With the closure of all LOCS schools through at least April 5, that promise extends beyond the traditional learning environment and today our administrators worked to address many of the questions from our community.

This communication will address many of those topics and, as with all communications, will be posted at LakeOrionSchools.org.

With rapidly-changing events and declarations, please remember to rely only on LOCS official district channels for pertinent school-related information.

School Messenger’s email/text/phone is the official direct communication tool, as well as the website LakeOrionSchools.org and the district social media sites.

 

ACCESS

The LOCS school facilities will be open on Monday, March 16 from 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. for students to retrieve any necessary personal items, including individual medication, needed for the duration of the closure.

• Following Monday’s opportunity, the facilities will be closed to the public for an indefinite period of time, so students and staff are asked to remove everything necessary.
• On Monday, staff members will be in their classrooms, secretaries will be in the office and administrators will be available in the buildings from 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. as a resource for students and parents.
• LOCS buildings will close at 2 p.m.

 

CLEANING

With COVID-19 spreading, cleaning the facilities is critical.

• To accomplish that in the most effective manner, the buildings will be closed from Tuesday, March 17-Sunday, March 22, to all personnel, public and LOCS staff members. The Centers for Disease Control shared that the virus can live up to three days on a hard surface. As a precaution, the district will close all buildings for twice that long, six full days, to ensure any potential remnants of the virus are eliminated.
• Beginning the week of March 23 and continuing the week of March 30, the cleaning crews will disinfect the buildings, technology and school buses with only limited access to certain LOCS staff members.

 

LEARNING ACTIVITIES

LOCS takes seriously the mission of educating every student every day while in the classroom.

• During this unprecedented period, LOCS will offer home learning resources and activities, but there will be no mandatory academic work. We cannot replicate the classroom experience. We are trying to minimize student and family stress. All resources are optional and designed to offer students the chance to enjoy learning, at their own pace and discretion.
• The Home Learning Resources are available in a document attached to this email and also will be linked from LakeOrionSchools.org/coronavirus.
• The two pages feature a padlet of external academic resources (password: Dragons) and enjoyable learning opportunities for students.
• All of these resources are not part of the graded curriculum and are only offered as an option for students while away from school.
• Virtual learning students will continue as scheduled and connect with their mentor about the next steps.

 

TECHNOLOGY

LOCS will not be providing devices or home Internet access to students during this period.

For those seeking discounted Internet access, there is a potential resource at https://www.internetessentials.com/covid19 and families can contact their mobile phone provider for other options.

 

FOOD

LOCS will not be offering food service to any student during the week of March 16-20.

• Decisions about food service for the following weeks will be made at a later date and time and be communicated, if available.
• Blessings in a Backpack recipients will be able to accept their food on Monday, March 16, at their school during the 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. visiting opportunity.
• Community resources for local food banks are located on the LOCS website at LakeOrionSchools.org/FoodService.

 

EVENTS/SCHEDULE

All events in and out of the district associated in any way with LOCS students, staff and facilities will not occur.

• In most cases, those are cancellations. Should there be a rescheduled event, such as the Kindergarten Registration Day, that information will be communicated as soon as a new date is secured.
• The lone exception to the schedule is the LOCS Bond construction work, which is contracted to continue outdoors on the existing sites.
• Potential refunds for any events, if appropriate, will be addressed at a later time.

The extended calendar and potential resumption of school remains undetermined. Those decisions involve multiple entities, including federal and state governments and health organizations, in addition to LOCS.

As soon as it is appropriate to share a resumption date, LOCS will communicate to the community.

 

PHYSICAL HEALTH

The health and safety of LOCS students remains a high priority and, even away from the LOCS buildings, remaining vigilant about health is essential.

As Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said, mitigation of the virus is the reason for closing schools and that should remain foremost in everyone’s thoughts during the period away from school as well.

Please monitor students and all others in their families for any signs of compromised health.

Oakland County has set up an Emergency Hotline for COVID-19 (248-858-1000).

It is important for families to be aware of the signs of the virus and to report to a health official if symptoms indicate concern of the situation.

Patients with confirmed infection have reportedly had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of: 

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath 

The precautions and recommendations from state health officials remain in place.

The best prevention for viruses, such as influenza, the common cold or COVID-19 is to: 

• Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for 20 seconds. If not available, use hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.   
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or upper sleeve when coughing or sneezing.   
• Avoid contact with people who are sick.
• If you are sick, stay home, and avoid contact with others.

 

MENTAL HEALTH

With such a significant disruption, students may be confused or struggling to process the extreme events of the recent days and weeks.

There are many resources available from reputable organizations to address anxiety and explain the virus, as well as the process unfolding. We have posted a number of these on the LakeOrionSchools.org/coronavirus page.

Our LOCS students and families remain in our thoughts, even as they are away from the buildings during this hiatus.

LOCS will continue to share information as it evolves and is pertinent to our students and staff.

Resources continue to be updated on the LakeOrionSchools.org/coronavirus page, day by day and often hour by hour.

 

Thank you for your support and understanding,

Marion Ginopolis

Superintendent, Lake Orion Community Schools

Dear LOCS Families-

Late Tuesday night, the first presumptive positive cases of the coronavirus COVID-19 in the state of Michigan were announced by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

She shared that they remain presumptive cases, still to be confirmed by the national Centers for Disease Control, but the state is operating as if they are positive based on testing at the state lab in Lansing.

Though it was mentioned that one case is in Oakland County and one is in Wayne County, no more specific details or locations were provided.

At this time, Lake Orion Community Schools will remain in session.

Until we get further guidance from Gov. Whitmer and the Oakland County Health Division, the following measures are being enacted by LOCS.

For the immediate future, the following are being suspended:

• Building rentals
• All field trips, activities and events outside the district
• All middle school athletic competitions, including the Oakland County middle school wrestling tournament on Saturday
• All LOCS Enrichment Services/Community Education classes, including Saturday’s mom-to-mom sale at CERC
• All parent-teacher conferences
• All large-group activities

The district will defer to the MHSAA regarding those high school athletic competitions and, currently, those are proceeding. Athletic practices will continue for the time being.

The following events remain on as scheduled:

• SACC (School Age Child Care)
• GAP/Elementary enrichment programs
• Mini-Daze camps at CERC March 13 and March 19

LOCS will continue to reassess as events warrant.

Unless there is information that the LOCS community is directly affected, our staff and students will continue to take great care of their hygiene, while the district custodial staff will remain vigilant in the cleaning processes.

The same requests remain, as previously shared: sick students should remain home and be examined by a medical professional if any of the virus warning signs are apparent. When healthy students and staff are in school, they should continue to follow proper hygiene and wash hands with increased frequency.

The web page for information and trusted sources remains active at LakeOrionSchools.org/coronavirus. Governor Whitmer’s press release from Tuesday night is currently posted on the page.

LOCS remains focused on best practices to keep students safe and provide the best education every day.

Updates will be shared as appropriate.

Thank you,

Marion Ginopolis

Superintendent, Lake Orion Community Schools

March 5, 2020

Update on the coronavirus in Michigan

Governor Gretchen Whitmer created a task force “to combat the spread of coronavirus and assess the impact it may have on Michiganders’ day-to-day lives. The task force includes K-12 and university/college education, which will be a significant consideration as the state assesses the response and oversight.

“While there have been no confirmed cases in Michigan yet, we must recognize that this virus has the potential to impact nearly every aspect of our lives,” Governor Whitmer said in a released statement. “From our public schools, colleges, and universities to our businesses and hospitals, we must harness all of the resources we have to ensure we can prevent the spread of coronavirus and keep Michiganders safe. This is a strong, smart team that will make protecting our public health their number one priority and work closely with me to protect the people of our state.”

Within the district, the school and classroom cleanings continue.

Students and staff are encouraged to continue hand-washing whenever possible. The LOCS elementary schools have sinks and those are being used for students to wash their hands. Though hand sanitizer in every classroom is not immediately achievable due to the shortages, the district is making every effort to procure as many as possible as soon as they become available. The current dispensers are being converted to the alcohol-base when available. Spray bottles in the classroom are also being filled with disinfectant.

LOCS continues to make every effort to monitor the virus and, currently, that involves everyone in the schools and buildings practicing proper hygiene.

The district will continue to post updates on this page, including resources for parents to share with their children to help explain the situation.

Dear LOCS Families-

We are reaching out today to share Lake Orion Community Schools’ focus on the coronavirus (COVID-19) and district’s oversight as the virus spreads wider throughout the world and the United States.

LOCS’ goal is to keep our students as safe as possible and, at the current point, much of that centers around education and a proactive approach about the virus.

LOCS has created a webpage (LakeOrionSchools.org/coronavirus) to contain relevant and appropriately sourced information. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and the Oakland County Health Division are the reputable organizations regarding the virus and updates. Those sites are linked off the LOCS coronavirus page and are continuously updated with the latest news for the general public.

At the district level, we have increased our focus on educating students and staff about the best ways to remain healthy.

• The CDC passed along information for K-12 school districts, including: “staying home when sick; appropriately covering coughs and sneezes; cleaning frequently touched surfaces; and washing hands often.”
• Handwashing is a particular emphasis, specifically “washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.”

The LOCS custodial staff has taken increased measures with the building cleanings during this period of heightened sensitivity. Large bottles of hand sanitizer will be placed in every classroom, while every student desk, table and community shared area will be regularly wiped down, as well as door knobs and frequently touched areas. All of these actions are to reinforce the importance of cleanliness and hygiene.

As the coronavirus progresses, the district will continue to monitor changes and update the web page accordingly.

Sincerely,

LOCS Administration

LOCS Families-

As the coronavirus spreads to multiple countries, Lake Orion Community Schools is watching the progress closely with our students’ safety in mind.

Oakland Schools, the county’s Intermediate School District, shared a fact sheet from the Oakland County Health Division about the virus and how citizens can protect themselves. Information is also available on the county's website.

LOCS plans to follow the guidelines shared by the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Michigan Department of Health and Oakland County through the process.

LOCS will update families as appropriate moving forward.

For more specific questions, please contact the Oakland County Health Division at 248-858-1280 or health@oakgov.com.

 

LOCS takes seriously the mission of educating every student every day while in the classroom.

• The Home Learning Resources are currently available.
• The two pages feature a padlet of external academic resources (password: Dragons) and enjoyable learning opportunities for students.
• All of these resources are not part of the graded curriculum and are only offered as an option for students while away from school.
• Virtual learning students will continue as scheduled and connect with their mentor about the next steps.

During this unprecedented period, LOCS will offer home learning resources and activities, but there will be no mandatory academic work. We cannot replicate the classroom experience. We are trying to minimize student and family stress. All resources are optional and designed to offer students the chance to enjoy learning, at their own pace and discretion.