Return to School/COVID Information

Big Rapids Public Schools is committed to providing a healthy and safe environment for each one of our students and staff during this pandemic.  Every effort will be made to provide both social and emotional support to help to reduce any barriers that may get in the way of learning.  We promise to provide quality instruction in every delivery format in order to ensure the educational success of our students.

Together, we will make this another successful year at BRPS!

We ask BRPS parents to review the Return to School Overview.  

Next, please respond by submitting your choice on the Learning Options Selection Form (for each child) by August 5th.  This will help us further plan and prepare for the first day of school.   

All phases are determined by the MI Safe Start Plan and follow the MI Return to School Roadmap.

Remote Model

If our region is in Phase 1, 2 or 3, Big Rapids Public Schools will offer on-line learning through the Connecting Cardinals site found at www.brps.org/connectingcardinals.
 

• Quality instruction will be taught by highly-skilled, thoughtful, and caring BRPS teachers.
• Chromebooks will be available for students in need with hotspots available in the community.
• Students and families will have access to class resources, progress, and grades.
• All inter-school, after-school, and athletic activities will be suspended.
• A food distribution plan will be implemented.
• There will be social and emotional support provided.
• Daily attendance will be required.

Hybrid/Transition to In-Person Model

If our region remains in Phase 4 on August 26th, Big Rapids Public Schools will begin the transition back to school with a hybrid model of learning. In this model, families will be notified as to whether their child(ren) is in the BLUE or RED group. The goal will be to help our students and staff feel comfortable in this new learning setting and to introduce students to what learning could look like in each phase. (Siblings will be kept in the same groups to make this transition easier for families and groups will be communicated by August 14th.) The transition period will follow this outline:

• All staff will be required to wear face masks with consideration for medical toleration.
• Facial covering will be worn by all during transportation, while in hallways and common areas, and by all students in grades 5-12.
• K-4 students will wear facial coverings outside of their classroom and may be asked to when social distancing is not possible as well.
• K-4 students will have scheduled hand-washing with soap and water every 2-3 hours. Students in grades 5-12 will be provided frequent hand-washing opportunities.
• Screening will follow Health Department guidelines and parents will be expected to screen children before sending them to school.
• Buses will be disinfected before and after every route and students will be required to use hand sanitizer before entering the bus and wear masks.
• Schools will provide adequate supplies to support healthy hygiene behaviors.
• Heightened cleaning procedures and new social distancing procedures will be in place.
• Athletics will comply with MHSAA guidance.
• There will be social and emotional support provided.

In-Person Learning

After the 2 week transition period, all students will attend school with the new requirements in practice as listed above.

In-Person Learning Model

If our region is in Phase 5, Big Rapids Public Schools will offer in-person learning with all required protocols in place from the MI Safe Schools Roadmap including some of what is listed under the Phase 4 protocols for cleaning, screening, masking, and social distancing.

Available for any (non-BRVS) student, the Big Rapids Public Schools LEARN FROM HOME option allows families to maintain the supports, curriculum, and activities of BRPS from the safety of their own home.

• Support from BRPS Staff for all grade levels on the learning program.
• Students in grades 6-12 must commit to a full trimester.
• Students in grades K-5 must commit to Learn from Home until after Holiday break.
• Curriculum provided by BRPS.
• There will be social and emotional support provided.
• Students have the option to participate in extracurricular activities.
• Technology will be available for students in need.

Feel free to download the Return to School Frequently Asked Questions or visit the Return to School FAQ page.