- Detroit Public Schools Community District
- In-Person Learning
Welcome Back, Students!
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We look forward to a return to at-scale face-to-face teaching and learning while maintaining ongoing safety protocols and best practice mitigation measures designed to keep our community safe.
The District’s decisions regarding reopening are grounded in recommendations from local and national healthcare professionals including the Centers for Disease Control, the Detroit Health Department and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, all of which have indicated that a return to face-to-face instruction is not only in the best interest of students, but can be done safely when proper safety protocols are used. Beyond the recommendations of medical professionals, the District’s reopening plan is in alignment with local and national leaders, including leadership from the American Federation of Teachers, who all agree it is critically important to get students back to school safely.
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Health & Safety
As the District reopens schools for 2021-2022, the most important aspects of DPSCD’s COVID-19 mitigation strategy remains its adherence to basic safety commitments, including:
- Correct use of masks required by all students, staff, contractors, visitors, parents and volunteers when inside school buildings; masks are optional when outdoors*
- Weekly COVID-19 saliva testing for all employees (and students who have a consent form completed)
- Required “return to work” saliva testing prior to initial reporting in August and September
- Physical distancing (3ft for student seating)
- Handwashing and respiratory etiquette
- Cleaning and maintaining healthy facilities
- Contact tracing in combination with isolation and quarantine as well as dedicated nursing staff at all schools
- Daily symptom screening & temperature checks for all students and staff
*Central office staff in central office locations where students are not present are required to wear masks if they are unvaccinated. Masks may be worn by anyone vaccinated who feels comfortable doing so.
These safety measures may be revisited or revised as the data indicates changes are necessary and/or the District is directed to comply with other orders or requirements by local health officials.
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Support Services
Translation Assistance: DPSCD offers district wide language access services to support staff, students, and families. Translation | Interpreter | Sign Language Interpreter. To request language access services, please speak with the clerical staff at your school or contact us translation.request@detroitk12.org or (313) 212-4312.
Mental Health Support Line and Homework Hotline and Parent Hotline: The Detroit Public Schools Community District Homework, and Mental Health Support Hotline will continue. These free resources are available for all DPSCD students and families. Translation services may be requested.- Homework Hotline: Encourages outstanding achievement by giving students an additional platform to ask for help and emphasize problem solving skills. Students and families can call in for help with Literacy and/or Math homework. Starting September 13, the Homework Hotline will be offered during the academic year on Monday – Thursday, from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. The number is 1-833-466-3978 (follow the prompts).
- The Mental Health Support Line: Will be offered during the academic year on Monday – Thursday, from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Please dial 1-833-466-3978 and hit prompt #4.
*Please note that District hotlines will not operate on days that schools are closed for holidays.
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Transportation
The District provides transportation services to families daily. Students are offered transportation under the following guidelines:
- Regular education students in grades K-8 who reside more than 3/4 of a mile from their neighborhood school;
- Regular education students in grades 9-12 can ride DDOT for free by showing their DPSCD issued student ID and DDOT bus pass available at each high school;
- Exceptional education students according to their IEP; and
- Career and Technical Center Students between their high school and respective Career and Technical Center.
- DPSCD will expand neighborhood transportation options for our students and provide additional pickup opportunities through vans. Check with your school for further details.
To learn more, please call the DPSCD Transportation Help Line at (313) 945-8600. Parents of exceptional education students may visit the Frederick Douglass Academy South Wing at 2001 W. Warren Suite 166, Detroit, MI 48208-2216, or call (313) 748-6499.
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Athletics
Similar to what was done to combat the pandemic at athletic events during the 20-21 school year, spectators can anticipate temperature checks and other safety pre-cautions for the 2021-22 school year. Measures such as such as mask wearing indoors and temperature checks upon entry will make viewing your student's event safe for everyone. Learn more about our athletics protocols here.
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Parent Academy
Parent Academy: The Family and Community Engagement Team is working hard to ensure families and students have free resources and opportunities in their communities. The Summer catalog has classes through September 30, 2021. Join the team for a free class, classes range from learning how to navigate the parent portal, health, fundraising and alumni participation. Learn more about an upcoming class.