Wednesday, July 21, 2021

#HighlanderNation 07.21.21


COVID-19 & Communicable Disease Protocols

As you know, we implemented a number of COVID-19 mitigation measures last school year pursuant to the MDHHS orders as well as through our partnership with the Livingston County Health Department. Having provided in-person school for nearly the entire school year, we have the unique ability to reflect on our experiences to determine our best path forward for the 2021/22 school year. The following questions/answers are most frequently asked:


Are face masks required?

No. Face masks are not required.


Will ​staff or ​students be required to be tested for COVID-19?

No. The MDHHS and the MHSAA lifted all testing requirements on June 22, 2021.


Will ​students be required to be vaccinated in order to attend school?

No. The COVID-19 vaccine is not listed on the MDHHS School Required Vaccination List. The Livingston County Health Department strongly recommends that all eligible students, teachers, staff, and household members get the COVID-19 vaccination as soon as possible when supported by their medical advisor. Moreover, please keep in mind that the key strategy for keeping in-person learning available is through achieving high levels of COVID-19 vaccination within our community. 


Will staff and student contact tracing and quarantines continue?

Schools are required to report communicable diseases to their local health department. Probable or positive COVID-19 cases will be reported to the Livingston County Health Department following public health laws. When there is a positive or probable case, an exposure letter will be sent home just as we do with other communicable diseases. We are still awaiting detailed guidance regarding contact tracing and quarantine protocols from the Livingston County Health Department, and we will review this when it becomes available.


What will the cleaning procedures be this year? The district will utilize standard daily cleaning protocols using products approved by the CDC to be effective against the COVID-19 virus. The cleaning of desks and furniture after each period is no longer required.


​For the complete 2021/22 Back to School FAQ, click here. We will update this as new information is made available. In addition, the county educational leaders have been collaborating throughout the summer to develop a consistent framework for the 2021/22 school year relative to COVID-19 health protocols. To view the communication from the county educational leaders, click here.


​New Central Office Team Member​

With the departure of Nikki Reinhardt, we recently completed the hiring process for a new Executive Director of Business and Finance. I happy to announce that Ben Engelter will be filling this position. Ben comes to us from Gratiot-Isabella Regional Education Service District where he was the Business Manager supporting two local school districts. Ben is married with two children and lives in Parma. Please join me in welcoming Ben to Highlander Nation.


Bond Projects Update

It's been another busy summer of bond projects. While the record rainfall has caused some delays, progress continues. The major work includes parking lots, roofs, flooring, sidewalks, and mechanical work throughout the district. In addition, furniture for certain areas of the district will be arriving in early August. You can view the most recent bond project pictures at each of our sites by clicking here (July 19th Update).

For more pictures from the weekly bond project updates, see the links below.




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