DPSCD Superintendent Nikolai P. Vitti is requesting additional assistance from Michigan leaders for the sake of the 2020 school year. In his letter, he listed the enhancements that DPSCD has made since closing on March 12 and a list of proposals for the year.
“As the Superintendent who represents the largest school district in the State and as a leader who has seen the rising challenges that COVID-19 is causing in the largest city in the State, I ask that you (Michigan Leaders) read this letter/email with the same openness that the Governor demonstrated two weeks ago when the issue of closing schools was in front of her,” said Vitti.
Here are the following actions listed by Vitti that the District has taken since March 12:
- After sanitization, we promptly opened 58 schools to serve as “Grab & Go” meal sites that distribute breakfast, lunch and printed learning materials by grade and subject.
- We have served about 70,000 meals in the first three days and provided access to over 41,000 printed learning packets to all Detroit students, regardless of enrollment location.
- We launched www.detroitk12.org/covid19 to provide relevant information regarding District programs and services. There have been over 16,000 unique visits to the academics area of this page.
- Through District single sign-on applications, we provide access to iReady (K-8 math and reading lessons tailored to each student based on work already completed during the academic year), myOn (tailored access to age-appropriate reading materials for elementary students), and for High School students access to Khan Academy for SAT/PSAT practice.
- District staff made personal calls to about 80% of our District families, that work will continue this week, and the District’s Homework Hotline provides one-to-one tutoring assistance by certified teachers for the full academic day and into the evening.
Vitti also listed recommendations which include:
- Closing schools until next year and require enrichment through online learning.
- Continuation of full funding from the state for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2020.
- Ensuring that graduating seniors are promoted and receive credit.
To close the letter, Vitti urged Michigan Leaders not to “take another recess before making hard decisions.” “The systems, processes, and infrastructures are not in place for large scale shifts to required online learning, a forced early return to school, or private/public virtual school.”
For more information, visit detroitk12.org.