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November 20, 2020
Dear Parent/Guardian,

We have learned a lot during the first twelve weeks of school.  We have learned that safety protocols are key to keeping our students healthy, in-person instruction is most successful and our students are resilient.  We want to thank you for your patience as we have developed the many procedures needed to keep your students safe. As we move into the second trimester of the school year, we would like to take this opportunity to seek your continued help in keeping our students safe and learning effectively.

Farwell Elementary has and will continue to follow the guidance of the Central Michigan District Health Department. Right now, this means keeping elementary students in school.  Careful consideration goes into keeping each child safe and healthy.  If we continue to follow the safety protocols put into place, we can keep our doors open even when other schools close.

We would ask you as parents/guardians to help us continue to maintain safety protocols, particularly by keeping children home if they are not feeling well and communicating with the school.  This will help us, together with the Health Department, to make wise quarantine decisions. The goal is to limit the need to quarantine and if we all work together we can make this possible.  Since the elementary students do not mix with students from other classrooms, it is possible to quarantine one group of students without affecting students in another classroom.  For more information concerning quarantines and actions to take please visit the COVID Dashboard on the Farwell Area Schools Website at farwellschools.net.

Another area where we need your help involves virtual learning. Farwell Elementary has made virtual learning an option for our students in an effort to support families during this difficult time. Although we believe in-person instruction is best, we realize that this option is necessary at this time. We also know that consistency of learning is best for students. Students need a steady learning routine and environment. For this reason, we kindly ask families to make their final decision for in-person or virtual learning by November 24, 2020.  After this date we will not be releasing students for virtual learning, unless there is an individual quarantine, classroom quarantine, or school closure.  Thank you for your support in this matter. We look forward to continuing to work with you to help your child learn safely.

Sincerely, 

Catheryn Gross 

 

Clcik on the links below to see the 2020-21 School Supply Lists

 

Kindergarten   |   1st Grade   |   2nd Grade   |   3rd Grade   |   Specials 

The following requirements will be in effect for the November 2019 reporting period: Required for all children entering kindergarten, all 6th grade students, and all children changing school districts:

• Two doses of varicella (Var) vaccine or history of chickenpox disease

Required for all children 11-18 years of age who are changing school districts or who are enrolled in 6th grade:

• One dose of meningococcal (MCV4 or MPSV4) vaccine

 There are many resources available to you at www.MCIR.org or call the Region 5 MCIR Help Desk at (888) 217.3904 or the State MCIR Help Desk at (888) 243.6652.  If you have any questions or problems, please feel free to also call your local health department.

Community Mental Health for Central Michigan

Community Mental Health for Central Michigan (CMHCM) is offering a variety of services to our communities via telephone and teletherapy options during this challenging time.  In addition to our existing services we are now offering short-term brief therapy at no cost to members of our communities.  CMHCM serves Midland, Gladwin, Isabella, Clare, Mecosta, and Osceola Counties.  Community members will have access to up to four sessions of free therapy to address mental health needs related to our current difficult times.  Please contact your local CMHCM office to inquire about this service.

The following Crisis Intervention Services remain available:

CMHCM-24-7 Crisis Mobile Intervention Team Services (CMIT).  If you or someone you know is having a crisis, the CMHCM CMIT staff can assess, safety plan and connect you with services.  CMIT is available 24-7 and can be reached by calling (local CMHCM phone number).

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is also available 24-7 at 1-800-273-8255.
• Crisis text line is available 24-7 by texting home to 741741.
• National Disaster Distress helpline 1-800-958-5950.
• COVID-19 Helpline is available at 1-800-535-6136 or by text at 66746. 
• A statewide peer-operated warm line is available at 1-888-733-7753, which is operated by individuals in recovery who are available to connect one on one with you.