WMAA Families,
This website is intended to provide you with the most accurate and recent information about the state-wide mandatory school closures impacting you and your families. As we receive relevant information and as we make decisions about next steps impacting your child's education, we will be updating this website regularly. Information will be posted in chronological order, with the most recent information displaying at the top of the screen.
We thank you for your continued support and patience as we work to keep you informed about the situation regarding COVID-19 and its impact on our school community. Please direct all questions you might have to [email protected], and please also understand that some decisions may not yet be made due to the ongoing nature of this event.
This website is intended to provide you with the most accurate and recent information about the state-wide mandatory school closures impacting you and your families. As we receive relevant information and as we make decisions about next steps impacting your child's education, we will be updating this website regularly. Information will be posted in chronological order, with the most recent information displaying at the top of the screen.
We thank you for your continued support and patience as we work to keep you informed about the situation regarding COVID-19 and its impact on our school community. Please direct all questions you might have to [email protected], and please also understand that some decisions may not yet be made due to the ongoing nature of this event.
WMAA COVID-19 FAQs
Please click this link to find a list of frequently asked questions and their answers.
Technology Access Survey
We are working hard to ensure that each of our families is connected to WMAA during this time away from school. Should the situation change and students are required to remain out of school longer than originally predicted, we want to make sure that we as a school are prepared to meet that challenge.
Please encourage your student to complete this survey so that we can identify any technology needs in our student body.
Please note: the survey link will only work for student WMAA gmail accounts
Please encourage your student to complete this survey so that we can identify any technology needs in our student body.
Please note: the survey link will only work for student WMAA gmail accounts
Continuity of Learning Plan - CLP
Our WMAA teachers have been working to develop meaningful learning opportunities and experiences for our students. We recognize and understand each of our families are navigating unique circumstances due to COVID-19, so this plan was developed to allow for both accountability and flexibility.
Implementation of the Plan begins on Monday, April 20, 2020 and concludes on June 4, 2020. The complete Plan including school, parent, and student responsibilities are outlined on our website: http://www.westmichiganaviation.org/clp/
Implementation of the Plan begins on Monday, April 20, 2020 and concludes on June 4, 2020. The complete Plan including school, parent, and student responsibilities are outlined on our website: http://www.westmichiganaviation.org/clp/
News & Communications:
Friday, May 15
Dear WMAA Families:
We are rounding out week 4 of our Continuity of Learning Plan (CLP) implementation and are grateful 149 parents/guardians took time to provide us feedback through our Mid-Point Feedback Survey. We are pleased to share key highlights and actions we are taking in response. As we navigate this unique situation, we will continue to align our actions to our WMAA Mission, Vision, and Values. In doing so, even in these unprecedented times, we can rest assured knowing we are serving your student(s) in the ways you trust us to do so.
Our short survey focused on how satisfied you are with the implementation of our CLP and communications, what you have appreciated thus far, what we can consider in doing better, and any celebratory stories you wanted to share. Here are some key points we heard from you along with some of the actions we have/will be taking in response to your voices:
Commencement/Senior Update
As we continue to share our communication as transparently as possible, we may not have met our goal in communicating some of the details that come with having to make many decisions in a short time. We appreciate the feedback we have received, both from families in support of our decision to host a virtual commencement ceremony as well as those who are disappointed and have expressed thoughts that we are not making an effort to provide closure to our seniors. Please know our decisions occur with intentionality and care with safety as a priority.
We continue to explore additional ways to celebrate the Class of 2020. Ideas include a late summer senior breakfast with yearbook signing, a senior picnic, and/or an invitation to join our class of 2021 commencement ceremony next May. We have reached out to other districts/universities to hear their plans and inquire about renting space in the late summer to accomodate an outdoor ceremony where we could socially distance. With many unknowns, they are hesitant to commit their outdoor space due to the Stay Home, Stay Safe Order extensions and CDC recommendations, along with their fall sport teams needing access to the facilities. Additionally, we continue to monitor the sheer number of events that are being cancelled due to COVID-19. As you consider your student, know that we are open to your ideas and suggestions.
End of School Year - June 4
With just three weeks left, the end of the school year is rapidly approaching. We know these past couple months have presented challenges to the educational process, but all of us at WMAA are committed to helping your student find success this academic year. We hope that you have found our teachers’ websites, Week-in-Previews, and GoogleClassrooms helpful in communicating our learning intentions and assignment goals. In these last three weeks of the school year, our team members will continue to reach out to help support students in meeting their academic goals by the end of the semester. If your student is expressing that they are experiencing challenges in the current learning environment or if they would benefit from some additional academic help, we urge them to take advantage of our weekly teacher office hours so that they can connect with their teacher for direct, one-on-one support.
As you continue to support your student from home, we hope you find these resources helpful:
Returning Materials/Chromebooks
As we approach the end of the school year, students will need to return all school materials.
Seniors who have completed the Continuity of Learning Plan should return materials and clean out lockers on Wednesday May 27 (parents only) from 11:00am-4:00pm, Friday May 29th 8:00am-12:30pm, or Saturday, May 30th from 8:00am-12:30pm.
Seniors who are completing their course work through June 4 will need to return school materials and clean out their locker on Thursday June 4 8:00am-4:00pm or Friday, June 5 between 8:00am-4:00pm.
*Due to the challenges with COVID-19, all seniors will be able to retain their Chromebooks; senior devices will not be collected this year.
Freshman, Sophomores & Juniors need to return their Chromebook, Chromebook charger, and school materials between 8:00am-4:00pm on June 5 or during the week of June 8-12. Additionally, students will need to clean out their locker during one of these times.
*Students who are registered for summer school through KISD should keep their Chromebook for use for their summer school course(s).
The following guidelines will be enforced:
We are rounding out week 4 of our Continuity of Learning Plan (CLP) implementation and are grateful 149 parents/guardians took time to provide us feedback through our Mid-Point Feedback Survey. We are pleased to share key highlights and actions we are taking in response. As we navigate this unique situation, we will continue to align our actions to our WMAA Mission, Vision, and Values. In doing so, even in these unprecedented times, we can rest assured knowing we are serving your student(s) in the ways you trust us to do so.
Our short survey focused on how satisfied you are with the implementation of our CLP and communications, what you have appreciated thus far, what we can consider in doing better, and any celebratory stories you wanted to share. Here are some key points we heard from you along with some of the actions we have/will be taking in response to your voices:
- 80% Very Satisfied/Satisfied with our remote learning instruction
- 86% Very Satisfied/Satisfied with our communication
- Parents/Guardians have appreciated:
- Ongoing, clear, and timely communication
- Staff making personal connections with students
- Thoughtful and comprehensive Continuity of Learning Plan
- Areas of improvement with actions we have taken:
- Desire for more live interaction opportunities for students
- Actions: Remind families that teachers have office hours which provide live opportunities for assistance and engagement. Additionally, we have asked teachers to consider hosting periodic live lessons or times for students to connect to each other.
- Desire for more live interaction opportunities for students
- Confusion/challenge due to different due dates for assignments
- Action: Remind families that each teacher posts their Week-In-Preview (WIP) to help lay out the assignments for the week. This is part of our regular ongoing practice to assist in communication. Additionally, we have asked our teachers to reach out to parents/guardians when assignments are missing. Teachers have invited parents/guardians to their Google Classrooms which allows them to see the checklist of assignments/calendar due dates.
- Concern about their students’ ability to be successful in an online environment.
- Action: Teachers are continuing to monitor grades and attendance to identify students in need of support. Teachers will continue to make individual connections based on student performance indicators. Our student attendance team will continue to notify parents/guardians when a student is marked absent for the week, which means he/she did not engage in one or more courses during the week. Our Student Support Services team is working with families who voice a need or appear to need additional supports.
Commencement/Senior Update
As we continue to share our communication as transparently as possible, we may not have met our goal in communicating some of the details that come with having to make many decisions in a short time. We appreciate the feedback we have received, both from families in support of our decision to host a virtual commencement ceremony as well as those who are disappointed and have expressed thoughts that we are not making an effort to provide closure to our seniors. Please know our decisions occur with intentionality and care with safety as a priority.
We continue to explore additional ways to celebrate the Class of 2020. Ideas include a late summer senior breakfast with yearbook signing, a senior picnic, and/or an invitation to join our class of 2021 commencement ceremony next May. We have reached out to other districts/universities to hear their plans and inquire about renting space in the late summer to accomodate an outdoor ceremony where we could socially distance. With many unknowns, they are hesitant to commit their outdoor space due to the Stay Home, Stay Safe Order extensions and CDC recommendations, along with their fall sport teams needing access to the facilities. Additionally, we continue to monitor the sheer number of events that are being cancelled due to COVID-19. As you consider your student, know that we are open to your ideas and suggestions.
End of School Year - June 4
With just three weeks left, the end of the school year is rapidly approaching. We know these past couple months have presented challenges to the educational process, but all of us at WMAA are committed to helping your student find success this academic year. We hope that you have found our teachers’ websites, Week-in-Previews, and GoogleClassrooms helpful in communicating our learning intentions and assignment goals. In these last three weeks of the school year, our team members will continue to reach out to help support students in meeting their academic goals by the end of the semester. If your student is expressing that they are experiencing challenges in the current learning environment or if they would benefit from some additional academic help, we urge them to take advantage of our weekly teacher office hours so that they can connect with their teacher for direct, one-on-one support.
As you continue to support your student from home, we hope you find these resources helpful:
- You can access your student’s grades at https://ps.westmichiganaviation.org/public/home.html
- Teacher websites and Week-in-Previews are available at http://www.westmichiganaviation.org/faculty-websites
Returning Materials/Chromebooks
As we approach the end of the school year, students will need to return all school materials.
Seniors who have completed the Continuity of Learning Plan should return materials and clean out lockers on Wednesday May 27 (parents only) from 11:00am-4:00pm, Friday May 29th 8:00am-12:30pm, or Saturday, May 30th from 8:00am-12:30pm.
Seniors who are completing their course work through June 4 will need to return school materials and clean out their locker on Thursday June 4 8:00am-4:00pm or Friday, June 5 between 8:00am-4:00pm.
*Due to the challenges with COVID-19, all seniors will be able to retain their Chromebooks; senior devices will not be collected this year.
Freshman, Sophomores & Juniors need to return their Chromebook, Chromebook charger, and school materials between 8:00am-4:00pm on June 5 or during the week of June 8-12. Additionally, students will need to clean out their locker during one of these times.
*Students who are registered for summer school through KISD should keep their Chromebook for use for their summer school course(s).
The following guidelines will be enforced:
- No more than five students/parents will be allowed in the building at any one time when returning materials
- Social distancing will be enforced
- Anyone who wishes to enter the building must bring and wear a mask
- If you or anyone in your family is ill, please do not come to the building. Other arrangements can be made at an appropriate time.
Wednesday, April 15
Dear WMAA Families,
I hope this communication finds you well-rested and ready to engage in our WMAA Continuity of Learning Plan. Since our last communication, we have been informed that our Continuity of Learning Plan (“the Plan”) submitted to Bay Mills Community College, our charter Authorizer, has been approved. In anticipation of this news, our WMAA teachers have been working to develop meaningful learning opportunities and experiences for our students. We recognize and understand each of our families are navigating unique circumstances due to COVID-19, so this plan was developed to allow for both accountability and flexibility.
Implementation of the Plan begins on Monday, April 20, 2020 and concludes on June 4, 2020. The complete Plan including school, parent, and student responsibilities are outlined on our website: http://www.westmichiganaviation.org/clp/
It is critical that all of our parents are informed of our required remote learning, so please check your email as a link to the Plan has been sent to you and your student. We are sending this letter in attempt to ensure all parents/guardians are informed. If you have specific questions, please email [email protected] and we will send the email to the appropriate person to respond.
We ask for your understanding and patience as we work through this new opportunity of fulfilling our WMAA Mission, Vision, and Values. It is likely we will get to do more problem-solving on new situations that present themselves, and as adaptable leaders, we will make necessary adjustments. If your student(s) has/ have questions or need(s) support, please encourage him/her/them to connect to a teacher, counselor, or administrator. This is new for all of us and we stand ready to navigate it alongside you.
Sincerely,
Nicole Gasper, CEO
I hope this communication finds you well-rested and ready to engage in our WMAA Continuity of Learning Plan. Since our last communication, we have been informed that our Continuity of Learning Plan (“the Plan”) submitted to Bay Mills Community College, our charter Authorizer, has been approved. In anticipation of this news, our WMAA teachers have been working to develop meaningful learning opportunities and experiences for our students. We recognize and understand each of our families are navigating unique circumstances due to COVID-19, so this plan was developed to allow for both accountability and flexibility.
Implementation of the Plan begins on Monday, April 20, 2020 and concludes on June 4, 2020. The complete Plan including school, parent, and student responsibilities are outlined on our website: http://www.westmichiganaviation.org/clp/
It is critical that all of our parents are informed of our required remote learning, so please check your email as a link to the Plan has been sent to you and your student. We are sending this letter in attempt to ensure all parents/guardians are informed. If you have specific questions, please email [email protected] and we will send the email to the appropriate person to respond.
We ask for your understanding and patience as we work through this new opportunity of fulfilling our WMAA Mission, Vision, and Values. It is likely we will get to do more problem-solving on new situations that present themselves, and as adaptable leaders, we will make necessary adjustments. If your student(s) has/ have questions or need(s) support, please encourage him/her/them to connect to a teacher, counselor, or administrator. This is new for all of us and we stand ready to navigate it alongside you.
Sincerely,
Nicole Gasper, CEO
Friday, April 10
Dear WMAA Families:
While these are challenging times, I hope this time with your family has provided opportunities to enjoy one another and build new memories. This week our WMAA Team finalized and submitted our Continuity of Learning Plan (“the Plan”) to Bay Mills Community College, our charter Authorizer with anticipation of being approved. We appreciate and congratulate our entire WMAA Team who worked collaboratively to build a thorough system of support to ensure future learning opportunities for all our students.
Next Steps
Implementation of the Plan begins Monday, April 20, 2020, and concludes on June 4, 2020. The complete Plan, including school, teacher, student, and parent/guardian responsibilities, will be sent via email, US mail, and posted on the WMAA website by April 15, 2020. We will also continue to communicate weekly updates to all families.
Student participation in the Plan, to the extent they are able, is required. If a student is unable to participate in the Continuity of Learning Plan, please communicate with the Dean of Student Life. A separate communication will be sent from their classroom teachers to all seniors regarding their participation in the Plan.
The Plan is structured and designed to meet the unique needs of our students while remaining flexible so each family can implement in a manner consistent with their unique circumstances. It is not intended to replicate the structure and timeframes of a normal face-to-face school day. While no remote learning plan can fully replicate the robust classroom experiences we are all accustomed to, I am confident our staff will provide rich and valuable learning experiences for all our students. Here is a sneak peak at what you can expect from our WMAA remote learning environment:
Weekly Learning Schedule
This schedule was created using state-provided guidelines for maximum online course interaction for high school students. Within this plan:
In this environment of remote instruction, students can expect to engage with content in a variety of formats. Often, lessons will be provided in an asynchronous format, meaning that they will receive pre-created materials and will be expected to engage with course content independently. Asynchronous learning could include pre-recorded lectures or tutorials, reading materials, or independent practice with specific learning activities. Lessons may also be provided in a synchronous format, meaning that students will sometimes meet with teachers for a live class. These synchronous learning opportunities will only occur within the established times in the schedule, and they could include live video or conference calling.
If students are unable to attend a synchronous learning opportunity, all content and materials will be made available to them in another format.
Governor Whitmer, in her Executive Order, included a statement that asks us to focus less on strict compliance and more on the other Cs: Communication, Common Sense, Compassion, Creativity, and Collaboration. In following her advice, above all else, we strive for grace and flexibility. We ask students to be flexible in structuring and managing their time, handling technical difficulties, and accepting longer response times from their teachers. We ask families to be patient and have grace with teachers as they navigate teaching and learning in a virtual environment. Lastly, we have asked teachers to be flexible in terms of technical difficulties, deadlines, and individual student circumstances.
We appreciate everyone working together and doing the best they can in a unique situation for the good of our students and their learning. As part of our systems approach, our Team will develop and administer a survey to collect constructive feedback from all stakeholders. We have built a Plan that is flexible and adaptive to meet the needs of the students we serve. As such, please take time to adjust to this new model and then provide feedback through the mechanism we will share with you. However, as was stated above, if you have immediate needs, please do not hesitate to contact [email protected]. Also, please continue to visit the WMAA FAQ for updated information.
Building Access
If it is imperative for a student or parent to access the building to obtain materials mandatory for their education and the April 8 date did not work for them, we will be opening up the school again on Wednesday, April 22 from 7:30am-3:30pm. Students or parents will be allowed in the building for a limited time. Restrictions will be made for the number of people allowed in the building at any one time. Students or parents may be asked to wait in their car until safe passage through the school is attained, limiting the number of people in the school at any one time. Note: If you are sick or anyone at your home is sick, stay home. Arrangements can be made to get what you need by contacting Mr. Fisher via email.
Thank you for your continued patience and support as we finalized the Plan. With the difficult times we are in, we need each other now more than ever. Please continue to heed the Governor’s order of Stay Home, Stay Safe, Save Lives and social distancing. Our actions will determine our future.
Sincerely,
Nicole Gasper, CEO
While these are challenging times, I hope this time with your family has provided opportunities to enjoy one another and build new memories. This week our WMAA Team finalized and submitted our Continuity of Learning Plan (“the Plan”) to Bay Mills Community College, our charter Authorizer with anticipation of being approved. We appreciate and congratulate our entire WMAA Team who worked collaboratively to build a thorough system of support to ensure future learning opportunities for all our students.
Next Steps
Implementation of the Plan begins Monday, April 20, 2020, and concludes on June 4, 2020. The complete Plan, including school, teacher, student, and parent/guardian responsibilities, will be sent via email, US mail, and posted on the WMAA website by April 15, 2020. We will also continue to communicate weekly updates to all families.
Student participation in the Plan, to the extent they are able, is required. If a student is unable to participate in the Continuity of Learning Plan, please communicate with the Dean of Student Life. A separate communication will be sent from their classroom teachers to all seniors regarding their participation in the Plan.
The Plan is structured and designed to meet the unique needs of our students while remaining flexible so each family can implement in a manner consistent with their unique circumstances. It is not intended to replicate the structure and timeframes of a normal face-to-face school day. While no remote learning plan can fully replicate the robust classroom experiences we are all accustomed to, I am confident our staff will provide rich and valuable learning experiences for all our students. Here is a sneak peak at what you can expect from our WMAA remote learning environment:
Weekly Learning Schedule
This schedule was created using state-provided guidelines for maximum online course interaction for high school students. Within this plan:
- Students can expect a MAXIMUM of 3.5 hours of school work per week day
- Students can expect new content from each of their classes twice per week
- New content will be available at the times posted in the weekly schedule
- All teachers will hold remote office hours on Wednesdays to provide individualized support directly to students
In this environment of remote instruction, students can expect to engage with content in a variety of formats. Often, lessons will be provided in an asynchronous format, meaning that they will receive pre-created materials and will be expected to engage with course content independently. Asynchronous learning could include pre-recorded lectures or tutorials, reading materials, or independent practice with specific learning activities. Lessons may also be provided in a synchronous format, meaning that students will sometimes meet with teachers for a live class. These synchronous learning opportunities will only occur within the established times in the schedule, and they could include live video or conference calling.
If students are unable to attend a synchronous learning opportunity, all content and materials will be made available to them in another format.
Governor Whitmer, in her Executive Order, included a statement that asks us to focus less on strict compliance and more on the other Cs: Communication, Common Sense, Compassion, Creativity, and Collaboration. In following her advice, above all else, we strive for grace and flexibility. We ask students to be flexible in structuring and managing their time, handling technical difficulties, and accepting longer response times from their teachers. We ask families to be patient and have grace with teachers as they navigate teaching and learning in a virtual environment. Lastly, we have asked teachers to be flexible in terms of technical difficulties, deadlines, and individual student circumstances.
We appreciate everyone working together and doing the best they can in a unique situation for the good of our students and their learning. As part of our systems approach, our Team will develop and administer a survey to collect constructive feedback from all stakeholders. We have built a Plan that is flexible and adaptive to meet the needs of the students we serve. As such, please take time to adjust to this new model and then provide feedback through the mechanism we will share with you. However, as was stated above, if you have immediate needs, please do not hesitate to contact [email protected]. Also, please continue to visit the WMAA FAQ for updated information.
Building Access
If it is imperative for a student or parent to access the building to obtain materials mandatory for their education and the April 8 date did not work for them, we will be opening up the school again on Wednesday, April 22 from 7:30am-3:30pm. Students or parents will be allowed in the building for a limited time. Restrictions will be made for the number of people allowed in the building at any one time. Students or parents may be asked to wait in their car until safe passage through the school is attained, limiting the number of people in the school at any one time. Note: If you are sick or anyone at your home is sick, stay home. Arrangements can be made to get what you need by contacting Mr. Fisher via email.
Thank you for your continued patience and support as we finalized the Plan. With the difficult times we are in, we need each other now more than ever. Please continue to heed the Governor’s order of Stay Home, Stay Safe, Save Lives and social distancing. Our actions will determine our future.
Sincerely,
Nicole Gasper, CEO
Friday, April 3
Dear WMAA Families:
These are unprecedented times to live in and while COVID-19 has certainly caused a disruption to our community, WMAA remains committed to our families. Yesterday, we heard from Governor Whitmer in her Executive Order (EO) that face-to-face instruction is no longer an option for the remainder of this school year but moving forward with learning is approved. We are pleased that the EO provides much flexibility for schools so we can finalize a plan that works best for WMAA. We will begin implementing our continuous learning plan on April 20, 2020 and will provide more guidance on April 14, 2020 after our spring break. We recognize we have been away from our school building for three weeks already, but we decided to honor our spring break early on, not knowing what our life circumstances would look like at this time.
We know many of our students are grieving the loss of their school identity and social connections. We plan to help facilitate positive and healthy relationships with our students and staff while still being aware that these times will present some challenges as many of our families have adults who are working from home. We know you have many questions about this quickly changing situation and I can assure you that the WMAA leaders are navigating our next steps with students/families in mind.
Thank you for your grace, patience, and trust in us; we are proud to partner with you and look forward to supporting your student(s) in the upcoming months. Please watch for additional information in the near future. Also, encourage your student(s) to explore the enrichment resources provided by their teachers and on our www.westmichiganaviation.org/closureresources webpage.
Mrs. Nicole Gasper, CEO
Spring Testing - Mrs. Jaclyn Iacco, Dean of Academic and Student Services
All state standardized assessments are cancelled for the 2019-2020 school year, including PSAT, SAT, and MSTEP testing.
For juniors in the Class of 2021 aiming to apply to post-secondary institutions in the fall, the CollegeBoard plans to set up an October School Day SAT in order to equip students with a free, college reportable test score. Additionally, colleges and universities are evaluating ways to support students in the Class of 2021 by modifying college application timelines, test requirements, and student supports. We feel confident our current juniors will continue to be well-prepared moving into the college application season this fall.
Class of 2020 - Seniors
We recognize the additional challenges surrounding our seniors in navigating graduation requirements, commencement and senior celebrations. While we do not yet have specific answers on credits, graduation requirements, or commencement, know that we are being thoughtful in every decision being made during these challenging times. While we want to celebrate with our students, our first priority is the health and safety of our entire community
As we consider various situations and evaluating all the alternate options, we are reviewing guidance from our state and our county as we determine what is in the best interest for seniors at WMAA. As decisions are being made, we will be sure to take into account the desire for celebration and honoring, but within the context of what is safe. As soon as additional decisions are made, we will be able to communicate more information on the details, as well as the decision making process.
Advanced Placement (AP) Exams
The College Board has released plans for an alternate AP exam format during the 2020 exam cycle. Each student who was previously registered for an AP exam will have the opportunity to take their exam at home from any device. The new exam dates are May 11-22 with each subject's exam being taken on the same day at the same time worldwide.
The exams will be 45 minutes in length and will include free response questions only. Exams will continue to be scored on a 1-5 scale with scores released in July 2020. The CollegeBoard has been working with colleges and universities to set students up to earn college credit as they have in the past.
The CollegeBoard will communicate these updates with students via email today. Additionally, a full update with the exam schedule can be found at:: https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/coronavirus-updates/taking-ap-exams
Continuity of Learning Plan - Mr. Chris Williams, Director of Teaching and Learning
Yesterday, Governor Whitmer announced an executive order officially closing school buildings and directing school districts to complete the current school year remotely. The WMAA leadership team is actively processing the accompanying guidance documents and is hard at work developing a Continuity of Learning Plan to best serve and educate WMAA students. As WMAA prepares for this new learning environment, our next steps will be to
(1) submit a comprehensive Continuity of Learning Plan by April 8th for approval,
(2) train teachers and develop digital course content during the week of April 13th, and (3) launch educational services with students beginning on Monday, April 20th.
While this time of separation has been a challenge for us all, know that your student's teachers are working hard to develop the best possible learning solutions for the remainder of this academic year and are excited to reconnect as soon as possible.
Aviation Department - Mr. George Pavey, Dean of Aviation
Our flight instructor cadre remains committed to completing the flight training for the current Class of 2020 pilots to earn their FAA Private Pilot license even if it requires flying throughout the summer months.
Building Access- Mr. Larry Fisher, Dean of Student Life
If it is imperative for a student or parent access the building to obtain materials mandatory for their education before school resumes on April 20 please refer to the schedule below.
Note: If you are sick or anyone at your home is sick, stay home. Arrangements can be made to get what you need by contacting Mr. Fisher via email.
On Wednesday April 8, students or parents will be allowed in the building for a limited time. Restrictions will be made for the number of people allowed in the building at any one time. Students or parents may be asked to wait in their car until safe passage through the school is attained, limited by the number of people in the school at any one time.
Students with a last name beginning with letters:
Shift
A - E 8am-9am
F - J 9am-10am
K - O 10am-11am
P- T 11am-12pm
U - Z 12pm-1pm
Please contact Mr. Fisher ([email protected]) if you are not able to make the designated time work for you.
We ask all students and parents to follow the schedule due to the limited number of people allowed in the building at any one time and the sanitation needed following the use of the building.
Thank you for your flexibility.
These are unprecedented times to live in and while COVID-19 has certainly caused a disruption to our community, WMAA remains committed to our families. Yesterday, we heard from Governor Whitmer in her Executive Order (EO) that face-to-face instruction is no longer an option for the remainder of this school year but moving forward with learning is approved. We are pleased that the EO provides much flexibility for schools so we can finalize a plan that works best for WMAA. We will begin implementing our continuous learning plan on April 20, 2020 and will provide more guidance on April 14, 2020 after our spring break. We recognize we have been away from our school building for three weeks already, but we decided to honor our spring break early on, not knowing what our life circumstances would look like at this time.
We know many of our students are grieving the loss of their school identity and social connections. We plan to help facilitate positive and healthy relationships with our students and staff while still being aware that these times will present some challenges as many of our families have adults who are working from home. We know you have many questions about this quickly changing situation and I can assure you that the WMAA leaders are navigating our next steps with students/families in mind.
Thank you for your grace, patience, and trust in us; we are proud to partner with you and look forward to supporting your student(s) in the upcoming months. Please watch for additional information in the near future. Also, encourage your student(s) to explore the enrichment resources provided by their teachers and on our www.westmichiganaviation.org/closureresources webpage.
Mrs. Nicole Gasper, CEO
Spring Testing - Mrs. Jaclyn Iacco, Dean of Academic and Student Services
All state standardized assessments are cancelled for the 2019-2020 school year, including PSAT, SAT, and MSTEP testing.
For juniors in the Class of 2021 aiming to apply to post-secondary institutions in the fall, the CollegeBoard plans to set up an October School Day SAT in order to equip students with a free, college reportable test score. Additionally, colleges and universities are evaluating ways to support students in the Class of 2021 by modifying college application timelines, test requirements, and student supports. We feel confident our current juniors will continue to be well-prepared moving into the college application season this fall.
Class of 2020 - Seniors
We recognize the additional challenges surrounding our seniors in navigating graduation requirements, commencement and senior celebrations. While we do not yet have specific answers on credits, graduation requirements, or commencement, know that we are being thoughtful in every decision being made during these challenging times. While we want to celebrate with our students, our first priority is the health and safety of our entire community
As we consider various situations and evaluating all the alternate options, we are reviewing guidance from our state and our county as we determine what is in the best interest for seniors at WMAA. As decisions are being made, we will be sure to take into account the desire for celebration and honoring, but within the context of what is safe. As soon as additional decisions are made, we will be able to communicate more information on the details, as well as the decision making process.
Advanced Placement (AP) Exams
The College Board has released plans for an alternate AP exam format during the 2020 exam cycle. Each student who was previously registered for an AP exam will have the opportunity to take their exam at home from any device. The new exam dates are May 11-22 with each subject's exam being taken on the same day at the same time worldwide.
The exams will be 45 minutes in length and will include free response questions only. Exams will continue to be scored on a 1-5 scale with scores released in July 2020. The CollegeBoard has been working with colleges and universities to set students up to earn college credit as they have in the past.
The CollegeBoard will communicate these updates with students via email today. Additionally, a full update with the exam schedule can be found at:: https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/coronavirus-updates/taking-ap-exams
Continuity of Learning Plan - Mr. Chris Williams, Director of Teaching and Learning
Yesterday, Governor Whitmer announced an executive order officially closing school buildings and directing school districts to complete the current school year remotely. The WMAA leadership team is actively processing the accompanying guidance documents and is hard at work developing a Continuity of Learning Plan to best serve and educate WMAA students. As WMAA prepares for this new learning environment, our next steps will be to
(1) submit a comprehensive Continuity of Learning Plan by April 8th for approval,
(2) train teachers and develop digital course content during the week of April 13th, and (3) launch educational services with students beginning on Monday, April 20th.
While this time of separation has been a challenge for us all, know that your student's teachers are working hard to develop the best possible learning solutions for the remainder of this academic year and are excited to reconnect as soon as possible.
Aviation Department - Mr. George Pavey, Dean of Aviation
Our flight instructor cadre remains committed to completing the flight training for the current Class of 2020 pilots to earn their FAA Private Pilot license even if it requires flying throughout the summer months.
Building Access- Mr. Larry Fisher, Dean of Student Life
If it is imperative for a student or parent access the building to obtain materials mandatory for their education before school resumes on April 20 please refer to the schedule below.
Note: If you are sick or anyone at your home is sick, stay home. Arrangements can be made to get what you need by contacting Mr. Fisher via email.
On Wednesday April 8, students or parents will be allowed in the building for a limited time. Restrictions will be made for the number of people allowed in the building at any one time. Students or parents may be asked to wait in their car until safe passage through the school is attained, limited by the number of people in the school at any one time.
Students with a last name beginning with letters:
Shift
A - E 8am-9am
F - J 9am-10am
K - O 10am-11am
P- T 11am-12pm
U - Z 12pm-1pm
Please contact Mr. Fisher ([email protected]) if you are not able to make the designated time work for you.
We ask all students and parents to follow the schedule due to the limited number of people allowed in the building at any one time and the sanitation needed following the use of the building.
Thank you for your flexibility.
Friday, March 20
Dear WMAA Families:
Thank you for your continued understanding, support, and patience as we monitor and adjust to these unique times. As a reminder, WMAA will continue to provide updates through emails and on our website: westmichiganaviation.org >School Closure Resources https://www.westmichiganaviation.org/resources.
Even though we haven’t been physically present at school, the WMAA team has been meeting virtually and wants to share the following new information:
Nicole Gasper, CEO
Thank you for your continued understanding, support, and patience as we monitor and adjust to these unique times. As a reminder, WMAA will continue to provide updates through emails and on our website: westmichiganaviation.org >School Closure Resources https://www.westmichiganaviation.org/resources.
Even though we haven’t been physically present at school, the WMAA team has been meeting virtually and wants to share the following new information:
- A newly developed FAQ in response to questions we have received and/or anticipate receiving can be found on our website here.
- Optional educational resources organized by department to provide enrichment and/or review of learning from content taught prior to March 13, 2020 can be found here.
- A technology survey was sent to your student’s email account. While there are no changes to a return date of April 13 at this time, we are collecting information on students’ access to technology at home. This will help us better understand how many of our students are able to access the resources we are sharing and will better prepare us to consider alternative ways to deliver instruction.
Nicole Gasper, CEO
Tuesday, March 17
Dear WMAA Families,
Our Leadership Team is working diligently to continue to support your family during this time of uncertainty. This communication serves to answer the most frequent questions we have received. Please understand that the facts around this situation are changing frequently, and it is important to refer to the most recent communication for current information. Thank you to all of you in WMAA community for working together, being patient, and understanding while we keep our students, staff, and community safe.
New Link on Website:
We have created a new link on our website containing updated information about our school closure found here https://www.westmichiganaviation.org/resources. You can also access it by going to our westmichiganaviation.org site and clicking on the School Closure Resources link which is found at the top right or bottom center of the main page.
Spring Break:
WMAA will maintain the regularly scheduled spring break from April 3-April 10, 2020, with a scheduled return to school on April 13, 2020.
Internet Assistance:
While we don't endorse any of these companies, we want to share free resources as we hear about them.
Comcast
In response, please be advised that Comcast has increased the speeds of its Internet Essentials home internet service from 15/2 Mbps to 25/3 Mbps. Additionally, households who enroll now will be eligible for 60 days of complimentary service. The formal announcement is attached for your reference and is also available here. As a reminder, Internet Essentials provides a $9.95 per month home internet service exclusively to low-income households.
Update: Comcast announced late Friday, 3/13/2020 that it is suspending enforcement of its data cap and overage fees for 60 days during the coronavirus pandemic. Comcast is also making its Xfinity Wi-Fi hotspots free for anyone to use. Millions of the hotspots are scattered throughout the country; you can find hotspot locations here.
Charter
Charter will offer free Spectrum broadband and Wi-Fi access for 60 days to households with K-12 and/or college students who do not already have a Spectrum broadband subscription at any service level up to 100 Mbps. To enroll call 1-844-488-8395. Installation fees will be waived for new student households.
Access to FREE Meals:
WMAA families may access "grab and go" meals from any of the following service locations Monday through Friday, from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm. These sites are operated by Grand Rapids Public Schools (GRPS) and are available to WMAA Families under our existing service relationship. No identification or other information is required. Parents may pick up two meals per day for each child age 18 and under.
Starting Monday, March 16, there will be four sites open:
These are subject to change and additional sites may be added.
Updates to meal sites are available online through the GRPS website.
Additionally, you may access FREE meals at any of the sites listed on the link below:https://www.wzzm13.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/kent-isd-meals-coronavirus/69-2531bc13-0075-4818-9343-5e6d674c56ab
Remote Learning During School Closure
We will be providing some optional learning resources that you may choose to have your student work on during this time. We will be in touch by Friday 4pm with more information.
End of Year Schedule
We do not have any information regarding the status of end of year activities such as state testing, spring sports, or graduation. The state has not yet given us guidance on whether the days of instruction during the mandatory school closure will be excused. Information will be shared as it is provided.
Prevention
Please continue to follow guidelines from the Center for Disease Control to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Monday, March 16
Food Service
Good afternoon, WMAA Families:
We sure miss being with your students already and are looking forward to being back together as a WMAA school family!
As we continue to monitor and receive guidance for navigating this extended closure due to COVID-19, we will send communications to you. This communication is a priority, as we want to ensure you are aware of sites where you can receive free meals. Please see the information below:
https://www.wzzm13.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/kent-isd-meals-coronavirus/69-2531bc13-0075-4818-9343-5e6d674c56ab
Please note that West Michigan Aviation Academy is not specifically listed on here, however, we do fall under GRPS since they provide our food service and there is a line in this article to pay specific attention to:
"Plans include letting students pick up meals at the closest district to them, regardless of if they attend that district."
We will continue to be in touch. Thank you for your patience and partnership.
WMAA Leadership
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Friday, March 13
Initial closure Information sent to all families:
Good Morning, WMAA Families:
The building will remain open today, March 13, 2020 until 5:00pm to provide an opportunity for students' to gather their belongings. After today, the building will be closed for thorough disinfecting and no access will be permitted.
We will remain closed through Friday, April 3, 2020 pending the Governor's recommendations and we will communicate further information as we receive it. Please continue to monitor your email to understand if our scheduled spring break will be impacted by the Governor's state of emergency declaration.
Students who are enrolled in an AP course(s) and online learning, continue to monitor your email for further information.
For specific questions, please email [email protected] which will be monitored on a regular basis. Please do not leave voice messages on the main phone line as this will not be monitored until we return to normal operations.
Please see the following link for Governor Whitmer's Recommendation: https://www.michigan.gov/whitmer/0,9309,7-387-90499_90640-521560--,00.html.
Dear WMAA Families,
Our Leadership Team is working diligently to continue to support your family during this time of uncertainty. This communication serves to answer the most frequent questions we have received. Please understand that the facts around this situation are changing frequently, and it is important to refer to the most recent communication for current information. Thank you to all of you in WMAA community for working together, being patient, and understanding while we keep our students, staff, and community safe.
New Link on Website:
We have created a new link on our website containing updated information about our school closure found here https://www.westmichiganaviation.org/resources. You can also access it by going to our westmichiganaviation.org site and clicking on the School Closure Resources link which is found at the top right or bottom center of the main page.
Spring Break:
WMAA will maintain the regularly scheduled spring break from April 3-April 10, 2020, with a scheduled return to school on April 13, 2020.
Internet Assistance:
While we don't endorse any of these companies, we want to share free resources as we hear about them.
Comcast
In response, please be advised that Comcast has increased the speeds of its Internet Essentials home internet service from 15/2 Mbps to 25/3 Mbps. Additionally, households who enroll now will be eligible for 60 days of complimentary service. The formal announcement is attached for your reference and is also available here. As a reminder, Internet Essentials provides a $9.95 per month home internet service exclusively to low-income households.
Update: Comcast announced late Friday, 3/13/2020 that it is suspending enforcement of its data cap and overage fees for 60 days during the coronavirus pandemic. Comcast is also making its Xfinity Wi-Fi hotspots free for anyone to use. Millions of the hotspots are scattered throughout the country; you can find hotspot locations here.
Charter
Charter will offer free Spectrum broadband and Wi-Fi access for 60 days to households with K-12 and/or college students who do not already have a Spectrum broadband subscription at any service level up to 100 Mbps. To enroll call 1-844-488-8395. Installation fees will be waived for new student households.
- Charter will partner with school districts to ensure local communities are aware of these tools to help students learn remotely.
- For eligible low-income households without school-aged children, Charter continues to offer
- Spectrum Internet Assist, a low-cost broadband program delivering speeds of 30 Mbps
- Charter will open its Wi-Fi hotspots across our footprint for public use
Access to FREE Meals:
WMAA families may access "grab and go" meals from any of the following service locations Monday through Friday, from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm. These sites are operated by Grand Rapids Public Schools (GRPS) and are available to WMAA Families under our existing service relationship. No identification or other information is required. Parents may pick up two meals per day for each child age 18 and under.
Starting Monday, March 16, there will be four sites open:
- New Faith Temple (1701 Kalamazoo Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49507)
- San Juan Diego Academy (1650 Godfrey Ave SW, Wyoming, MI 49509)
- Creston Plaza Apartments (1080 Creston Plaza NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503)
- Campau Commons (821 Division Ave S, Grand Rapids, MI 49503)
- Hope Academy (240 Brown St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49507)
- Sibley Elementary (943 Sibley St. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504)
- Ottawa Hills High School (2055 Rosewood SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506)
These are subject to change and additional sites may be added.
Updates to meal sites are available online through the GRPS website.
Additionally, you may access FREE meals at any of the sites listed on the link below:https://www.wzzm13.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/kent-isd-meals-coronavirus/69-2531bc13-0075-4818-9343-5e6d674c56ab
Remote Learning During School Closure
We will be providing some optional learning resources that you may choose to have your student work on during this time. We will be in touch by Friday 4pm with more information.
End of Year Schedule
We do not have any information regarding the status of end of year activities such as state testing, spring sports, or graduation. The state has not yet given us guidance on whether the days of instruction during the mandatory school closure will be excused. Information will be shared as it is provided.
Prevention
Please continue to follow guidelines from the Center for Disease Control to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
- Wash hands often and for 20 seconds minimally
- Avoid close contact
- Stay home if you are sick
- Cover cough and sneezes
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Monday, March 16
Food Service
Good afternoon, WMAA Families:
We sure miss being with your students already and are looking forward to being back together as a WMAA school family!
As we continue to monitor and receive guidance for navigating this extended closure due to COVID-19, we will send communications to you. This communication is a priority, as we want to ensure you are aware of sites where you can receive free meals. Please see the information below:
https://www.wzzm13.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/kent-isd-meals-coronavirus/69-2531bc13-0075-4818-9343-5e6d674c56ab
Please note that West Michigan Aviation Academy is not specifically listed on here, however, we do fall under GRPS since they provide our food service and there is a line in this article to pay specific attention to:
"Plans include letting students pick up meals at the closest district to them, regardless of if they attend that district."
We will continue to be in touch. Thank you for your patience and partnership.
WMAA Leadership
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Friday, March 13
Initial closure Information sent to all families:
Good Morning, WMAA Families:
The building will remain open today, March 13, 2020 until 5:00pm to provide an opportunity for students' to gather their belongings. After today, the building will be closed for thorough disinfecting and no access will be permitted.
We will remain closed through Friday, April 3, 2020 pending the Governor's recommendations and we will communicate further information as we receive it. Please continue to monitor your email to understand if our scheduled spring break will be impacted by the Governor's state of emergency declaration.
Students who are enrolled in an AP course(s) and online learning, continue to monitor your email for further information.
For specific questions, please email [email protected] which will be monitored on a regular basis. Please do not leave voice messages on the main phone line as this will not be monitored until we return to normal operations.
Please see the following link for Governor Whitmer's Recommendation: https://www.michigan.gov/whitmer/0,9309,7-387-90499_90640-521560--,00.html.