- Kalamazoo Public Schools
- FAQ's for 2021-22
2021-22 School Year
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Virtual School 2021-22 FAQ's
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Does Calvert offer music as an elective?
At this time it does not.
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Can KFLEx students take in-person courses at their home school?
In general, no, but this will be addressed on a case-by-case basis. Transportation would not be provided.
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Does KFLEx offer honors or AP classes?
KFLEx does not offer honors classes. AP classes are available to KPS students through Michigan Virtual on a first-come, first-serve basis.
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Will families be given in-person enrollment confirmation before the deadline to opt-in to virtual learning?
Student assignment letters will be sent between June 14-30.
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Can KFLEx students participate in KAMSC, EFE and EFA?
Yes
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If I do not opt-in to virtual learning by the deadline and over the summer I change my mind, can I still choose virtual?
Anyone who thinks that they may not be comfortable with face to face learning should choose virtual. We are sharing the timeline now for decision making so families can weigh which learning model is best for their child. The deadline to opt into virtual learning is May 3rd and this date is not negotiable.
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Are there English Language Learner supports for virtual students?
Yes. If a virtual student requires English Language services it will be provided by a certified KPS teacher. If education experts notice that a particular English Language Learner is not doing well in the virtual model, then, under the 21f law of the Michigan Revised School Code, the district may require that particular student to move to face to face learning.
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Are there fees for students in the virtual program?
No. There are no costs to KPS families for KPS virtual learners. The district will bear all licencing fee costs and all other related costs associated with virtual learning.
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Are there supports for virtual students with IEPs?
Yes. IEP teams will make individualized decisions based on the needs of the student, which might require some or all of the services/instruction delivered face to face within a primarily virtual model. Under the 21f law of the Michigan Revised School Code, the district may require that a particular student move to face to face learning.
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Can high school virtual learners still play sports?
Yes, students at all levels can participate in extracurricular activities.
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Can virtual students be involved in Academically Talented or A/T?
No. Unlike this school year there is not a virtual version of A/T for next year.
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If we find that the virtual learning program isn’t working for our child, can we transfer back to a KPS building?
Students/families are committed to the first trimester after June 6th. If you want to transfer to face to face, then, at least 4 weeks prior to the end of each trimester you would need to notify KPS if you would like to move to face-to-face learning for the remainder of the school year. Preferred building placement in grades K-8 is not guaranteed.
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Is KFLEx on trimesters or semesters?
Semesters. However, students who wish to transition to in-person learning may do so for the KPS second or third trimester. A three to four-week notice will be required.
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Is there a chance the start of the school year will be delayed?
No. School will start for all KPS students on August 30.
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My child was in Option 1 this year and I am leaning toward virtual because the vaccine is not yet available for children under 16. How do you suggest I learn more about the Calvert platform?
We are hosting a virtual Zoom meeting next week where you will be able to see a demonstration of Calvert and ask questions of the experts. We also have online resources available for parents to review at their leisure.
In-Person School 2021-22 FAQ's
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Will there be in-building orientations for students new to a school, especially for students who have not ever been in their new building?
I am aware that ice cream socials, meet and greets, and other orientations will be provided by schools once school begins. This will be a building by building decision and planning will happen with all CDC safety protocols in place. These will be optional.
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Will there be a cap on the number of students per classroom?
We will adhere to student-teacher ratios outlined in our labor contract with the teacher’s union.
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Will the elementary kids still have playground time?
Yes. We want children to have as much time outside as possible during recess and physical education.
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Will students in middle and high school switch classes?
Yes. Students will follow their class schedule.
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Will staff be required to be vaccinated?
We will follow federal and state guidelines on vaccine requirements. As of right now there are no COVID-19 vaccine requirements. However, the vast majority of our staff has already been fully vaccinated.
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Will middle school sports resume in the fall?
Yes. We will continue as we have been this year following guidance from MHSAA.
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Will masks be required to be worn all day in elementary classrooms?
Everyone will be masked, at all times, from the time they get on the bus (or arrive at school by other means) until they arrive home at the end of the school day. This applies to all grade levels.
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Will KAMSC be in-person next school year?
Yes. KAMSC will resume its in-person instruction.
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What screening tools will be used for staff, students and visitors to the buildings?
No screening tools will be used by the district. We expect everyone to self-monitor and use the screening tools provided at home prior to stepping foot in our buildings. Fully vaccinated individuals do not need to use the screening tools, but it is recommended. They are required to wear masks at all times within our busses and buildings.
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What happens if a student shows symptoms during the day then tests positive?
Our families will play a big role in not only keeping our KPS family of students and staff safe, but also our larger community safe. If your child is showing symptoms, please don’t send them to school. If your child comes to school with an active infection and show symptoms, we have a process in place to manage that. We have a quarantine room in every school and will work with the Kalamazoo County Health Department on contact tracing and provide further guidance about quarantining.
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Is there a chance the start of the school year will be delayed?
No. School will start for all KPS students on August 30.
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If the pandemic gets worse will in-person school continue?
We have no plans to stop in-person schooling completely unless required by the state and/or MDHHS. We have contingency plans for intermittent closures for select groups of students where we don’t shut down the entire classroom we just send a small group in quarantine. We also have plans for shutting down entire classrooms if needed, entire schools if needed, and the entire district if needed and recommended by the Health Department. Like we have always done, we will lead with safety first. We will ensure that learning will still continue for those in quarantine. It is important to note that fully vaccinated individuals (staff and students alike) will never need to quarantine.
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For students over 16, will you ask who has been vaccinated?
We will follow federal and state guidelines on vaccine requirements. As of right now there are not COVID-19 vaccine requirements.
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Can students bring their own lunch?
Yes, students may bring their own lunch. We will also offer cafe style lunches with safety protocols based on guidance from the Michigan Department of Education, the United States Department of Agriculture, and the Centers for Disease Control.
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Will masks be provided for anyone who does not have one?
Yes. We will have masks for anyone who needs one.