Virtual Learning Contract Deadlines
If you are going to be going back to school making use of the Virtual Learning Options the Virtual Learning Contract for Elementray and Middle School is due back before Aug 28 and for Timberland/High School students the deadline is before Aug 21.
Click the Links below to view notes from the Community Forums.
Summary of Input from Community Forums
*All Farwell Parents and Students*
Dear FAS Family,
On September 14, 2020, the Farwell Area Schools Board of Education approved an early release for the next three Friday’s. The purpose of this release is to allow our staff time to collaborate regarding on line learning and hold office hours for students. The goal is to continue to improve our on line instruction. This will benefit all students if we were forced to return to phase 3 and 100% remote instruction.
On September 18, September 25 and October 2 the students of the Farwell Area School will be released at 1 pm. The afternoon bus routes will begin two hours earlier. Our Afternoon CTE buses will still run to and from the CTE classes. The elementary is exploring expanding their day care options, so if this early release causes you a child care hardship, please contact the elementary office.
On another issue. If you are dropping off your student or picking them up. Please help us to be a good neighbor and don’t block the driveways of the neighboring houses. If you see them attempting to depart their drive way, we ask that you be considerate and give them space to exit.
Thank you for your cooperation with these issues. We appreciate your patience and support as well continue to strive to educate our Farwell Eagles.
Thank you and Go Eagles!
Steve Scoville
*Nominate Your Favorite Staff for a PIZZA*
Know a staff member that you think is making a difference?
One faculty member from each school building will be selected each week for a $20 gift card from Buccilli's Pizza!
Eagle Update
from Superintendent Steve Scoville
July 23, 2020
Farwell Area Schools are committed to developing a plan for this fall that keeps our staff and students safe, as well as provides the best education options for our families. Many day-to-day details are still not known, because we won't know what phase we will be in at the start of school. What we do know is that we are working in partnership with our local health officials and the Clare-Gladwin RESD to develop the best plan for safely reopening.
We are offering multiple options, so that families can be part of the decision of what is best for their student/family. Superintendent Scoville has shared the available options in a letter that is posted on the top of this information. The letter includes a link to sign up for online education, if that is what the family desires. We ask that if you are choosing online learning, please sign up by August 14, 2020 for planning purposes.
Download Mr. Scoville's Letter HERE
Click here and Use this link to sign up for the online option
This is not a one-size-fits-all situation, and we understand there are many different factors to be considered. Please reach out to us if you have questions! (Phones are still not working - either send a fb message, or email kvanbuskirk@farwellschools.net and Kate will get your message to the appropriate administrator.)
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July 2, 2020 Update on Covid Preparedness
The Farwell Area Schools are using the Governor’s Return to Learn Plan as a starting point. We are working closely with our local Health Department, the CG-RESD, and the schools in our region to develop a plan that focuses on the safety of students and staff as our first priority. Education and Flexibility will also be key tenants to our plan. We hope to have our plan approved by our Board of Education and published by early August. I am attaching a link of a survey for parents, I welcome your input regarding your child’s education in the 2020-2021 school year
( https://forms.gle/UtWr9FPgAybM7uer9 ).
Bond Update
The work on the Farwell Area Schools Bond Project continues despite the cancelation of in person instruction. Some projects like the boiler/heating/ventilation projects for all three schools are well ahead of schedule. The two new boilers in the elementary replace 11 boilers that were 32 years of age. The two new boilers in the high school replace 8 aged boilers. All of the piping and wiring for these system have been completed in the hallways. The new boilers are far more efficient and much easier to maintain and operate. The individual room unit ventilators are being replaced as they arrive. Due to COVID -19, we are experiencing some delays in their arrival.
Our Administrative team and board committees have meet several times to review plans for secure entrances of all buildings, work that is planned for the summer of 2021. The roof projects for the high school and middle school are also started and progressing on schedule.
The project at our athletic complex that were scheduled for the summer of 2020 remain in question. Due to Michigan’s restrictive polices related to COVID-19, the contractors who were lined up to repair and resurface the track have moved on to projects in other states. This has moved our project that was scheduled for early May to the back of the list. We will know by early August if this project will be able to be done yet this summer.
Budget Uncertainty
The Farwell Area Schools continue to operate with major questions regarding our school funding. Although progress continues, it is slow and way overdue. The Leadership in Lansing is still wrestling with the funding for the 2019-2020 school year, while we are trying to determine our staffing needs for the 2020-2021 school year. Decisions that were made at the end of June could have and should have been made prior to the end of May.
Boards of Education are required to pass budgets by the end of June. The FAS BOE did this while they had many unknown details for the coming year. We are being told that the cost to educate a student in the new COVID-19 norm will increase by $500 per student / per year. Meanwhile, we are being told to anticipate funding cuts of $600 to $1000 per student for the 2020-2021 school year. The Farwell Area Schools were on track to end the 2019-2020 School year with a 10% fund balance prior to the COVID-19 Shutdown. We will continue to keep the focus on educating our students and providing them a safe and quality learning opportunity.
Schools can only make good plans if they have good facts on which to base these plans. We know the COVID-19 Pandemic will cause us to remain flexible on how we educate our students going forward. The unknowns of this virus do not excuse the leaders in Lansing and Washington from making budget decisions by the deadlines. Schools need answers regarding funding and pupil accounting. Without these details we cannot make good plans. Stakeholders of the Farwell Area Schools are encouraged to communicate your concerns to the leadership in Lansing and Washington. Schools and families need to make plans for the fall.
Schools of choice applications for 2020-2021 school year
Under the Schools of Choice legislation (Section 105 and Section 105(c) of the School Aid Act), kindergarten through twelfth grade students residing within Clare Gladwin Regional Education Service District (RESD) and contiguous intermediate school districts, may apply to Farwell Area Schools for enrollment for the first semester of the 2020-2021 school year. Application may be made for all grades (K-12) with unlimited openings.
Transportation for these students is the responsibility of the parents or guardians.
Application must be made to the school district no later than the end of the first week of school.
Wi-Fi Access
The Farwell Area Schools has wi-fi access available from the parking lots Please practice appropriate social distancing while using it.
Click Here for a Larger Version!
Bond Planning Updates
January Bond Planning Update
February Bond Planning Update
