• Expanded the Grab-n-Go (weekly meals) sites to include Gompers and Clemente
• From April 22-24, 31 from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. additional sites will have printed packets only for families to pick up (See note below for schools with translated packets and packets for ESE students)
• All Distance Learning Resources are now available on the website: detroitk12.org/DistanceLearning

DETROIT – April 14, 2020 – Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) announced today its launch of a 10-week distance learning plan for the District’s 51,000 students in grades PreK-12. Teachers will engage students in lessons via telephone or virtually using the Microsoft Teams app. Academic resources are now live on the District’s website, https:/detroitk12.org, and printed packets will be available for families and students next week. The District submitted its Continuity of Learning Plan to Wayne RESA and has already received approval as required by Governor Whitmer’s Executive Order 2020-35, mandating statewide school closures due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) crisis.

“Our district team has worked tirelessly to put together the distance learning plan to ensure as much learning as possible occurs during the shutdown of buildings,” said Nikolai Vitti, Superintendent, Detroit Public Schools Community District. “Through the distance learning plan, we will provide academic support, as well as, emotional and mental support to our students. We will reach students and families where they are during this crisis. Some are ready to continue learning as if we were in school and others will find it difficult to complete the lessons because of real life challenges.”

Beginning the week of April 20^th, students in grades PreK-12 will engage in distance learning in core subjects (ELA/Reading, Mathematics, Social Studies and Science) with opportunities throughout the day for families to incorporate physical activity, wellness and arts enrichment by visiting https://detroitk12.org/DistanceLearning. The District’s curriculum and instruction team, along with the fine and performing arts team developed videos, readings, and student work pages for each content area. These resources are available on the District’s YouTube Channel.

DPSCD will hold two intensive days of professional development for teachers this week. Families can expect assignments to be provided, feedback and scheduled engagement with students. Students will not receive credit for the assignments.  Instead, teachers will provide feedback on assignments.  For students who do not have access to the internet or technology, printed packets will be provided at the District’s 19 Grab-and-Go food resource locations and at an additional 32 school sites from Wednesday, April 22 – Friday, April 24 from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. (See list attached)

During this phase of distance learning, teachers will work Monday through Friday and engage their students through recommended student schedules. Students in different grade levels have a different number of recommended live meetings and video engagements. On average, students may spend between three to four hours a day engaged in recommended academic activities. DPSCD’s goal is to keep learning occurring at a pace individual students and their families can support. The Homework Hotline, along with counselors and social workers, will be accessible through a hotline for support during select hours outlined below.

The District is working in collaboration with business and community leaders to provide tablets and internet for each DPSCD family. In the interim, printed packets will be available for all families who need them during the week of April 20, additional resource locations will be available for academic packet pick up only.

Students will receive a PASS/FAIL second semester grade. PASS/FAIL marks will be based on grades earned by students prior to the state mandated closure of all schools during the 3rd quarter (with all grades inputted before the shutdown). Students who earned a D- or higher grade will receive a PASS. If they had an F grade, then they will receive a FAIL. Teachers will be given the opportunity to give a student a PASS if they had an F grade and believed that student would have earned a D- or higher grade with more instructional time, and/or if the student completes assignments during the distance learning period.

Report cards will not be given for the 3rd/4th quarters or the semester. Transcripts will use the PASS/FAIL code. This will allow students to gain course credit for promotion and/or graduation. This also allows GPAs to remain neutral as a result of the shutdown. For athletic eligibility, a student will need to receive a PASS in the majority of their courses for fall semester sport participation. Seniors will receive separate instructions from their school to determine if they are on pace to graduate. An extensive Frequently Asked Questions document is available on the District’s website that addresses questions for families, students and staff.

DPSCD students will continue to have access to blended online learning programs which include:

• Khan Academy - Independent practice and guided learning for K-12 Mathematics and Literacy; 9-12 Science and Social Studies, AP, and SAT.
• myOn - Large library of online books with built-in reading supports.
• i-Ready - Independent practice for K-8 Mathematics and Literacy.
• Newsela - News and events articles at a range of reading levels.
• Imagine Learning - The District expanded access to this site for all schools with English Language Learners.

The District will also continue to provide support services for families and students. The Homework Hotline, along with counselors and social workers will be accessible through the hotline for support during select hours outlined below. The Homework Hotline can be reached by calling 1-833-466-3978:

• Monday – Thursday: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Friday: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

In support of students with IEPs, the District ensures that ESE (certified Special Education teachers) and translations for students and families who are non-English speaking will remain available.

Counselors and support staff can be reached, after April 20, through the same hotline, 1-833-466-3978:

• Monday – Thursday: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Friday: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Breakfast and lunch service will continue Monday and Thursday from 8am – 1pm at the 19 resource locations.

Breakfast/Lunch and Academic Pick Up Locations (Grab-and-Go)

Distance Learning Printed Packets will be available after April 20

Monday and Thursday at these locations and the additional 32 locations indicated below

1. Denby
2. East English Village
3. Fisher Upper
4. Law
5. Martin Luther King
6. Pershing
7. Southeastern
8. Brenda Scott
9. Cass
10. Central
11. Charles H. Wright
12. Cody
13. Frederick Douglass Academy
14. Mumford
15. Munger
16. Renaissance
17. Western
18. Gompers*
19. Roberto Clemente*

*Newly added

Academic Packet Only Locations – Pick up 4/22, 4/23, 4/24