7.23.20 – Club News

CLUB News written by Dawn Smith

Today’s featured speaker was Thomas DeJonge, Superintendent, Grand Rapids Christian Schools.

He addressed “Return to Learn”, a topic focusing on COVID-19 and the impact on education and returning to school.

All local superintendents work together and have much discussion around whether or not to return totally to school, offer virtual classes or other online learning programs.

Grand Rapids Christian Schools will be offering both in-person education and virtual learning for those students whose parents do not want to send their kids to school. Grand Rapids Christian Schools are in an unique positions for these virtual classes , as they started their planning process back in March when schools were first shut down, so they have the process streamlined.

They will have areas assigned for quarantined students or staff who show symptoms. The room that they were in will be vacated for 48 hours and sanitized.  The students and teachers will move to “clean” rooms during that period of time. Students in grades K-5 will not be required to wear masks, but will remain in their rooms all day. Their their teachers must wear a mask full-time. Students in grades 6-12 will be required to wear a mask.

Sports are another matter. They are currently going ahead with preseason conditioning, all done outside with temperature checks being done.  They are hoping to have abbreviated seasons for their sports program and working with the MHSAA to follow their guidelines.

Thomas feels that kids need to be in school and they are taking every precaution to allow them to “Return to Learn”.