In accordance with Governor Whitmer's executive order, American Montessori Academy Campuses will remain closed for the duration of the 2019-2020 school year. All school properties are closed to visitors. Thank you.
4/3/20
Dear American Montessori Academy Families, Staff and Community,
Yesterday, Governor Whitmer issued Executive Order 2020-35 (COVID-19), a comprehensive order that effectively closes all K-12 Michigan schools for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. While this is a necessary step to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and protect the health and safety of our community, we know that it is a heartbreaking loss for our students, our families and our staff, and particularly for our eighth graders, who looked forward to the many traditions and celebrations associated with their promotion. While there are still many more questions than there are answers at this point in time, please know that we are committed to working together with our students, our families and our staff to acknowledge our grief, support one another, and figure out ways to redefine, reschedule and/or celebrate milestones in different ways.
We are in the process of developing our Distance Learning Instruction plan, considering stakeholder feedback received over the past few weeks, and the input of our instructional staff. We are also reviewing the directives outlined in yesterday’s Executive Order, which included a requirement to submit a district Continuity of Learning – COVID -19 Response Plan to our Authorizer for approval prior to implementation. The template for this requirement was made available from the Michigan Department of Education today, April 3, 2020, and can be submitted for approval beginning on April 8, 2020, with implementation required by April 28, 2020.
Families can continue to utilize our website and Facebook page the week of April 6-10, 2020, our scheduled Spring Break, in a manner that best meets the needs of their students/family. Please note that teachers will be preparing for the launch of our Distance Learning Instruction Plan, and therefore will not be scheduling check-ins or meeting with students over Spring Break.
As we thoroughly review the impact of the comprehensive Executive Order 2020-39, we will continue to communicate in as timely a manner as possible. Please continue to forward your questions to school principals, or your child’s classroom teacher.
As we navigate this new landscape, please know that we are mindful that students, families and staff may be dealing with illness, illness of family members or other extenuating circumstances while managing this new landscape. We will all need to keep this in mind as we strive to support learning, along with the health and well-being of our students, staff and families.
Technology Devices
As previously noted, technology devices will be available for students who do not have access and need to borrow this technology from the district. The families that completed the survey will be contacted when your device is ready to be picked up.
Thank you for your patience and support as we continue to navigate unprecedented times, significant change and uncertainty in a few short weeks. Despite the challenges, I am heartened by the ways in which our students, our staff, and our families have already come together to support one another – and know that new learning most often comes in overcoming adversity and finding ways around barriers.
Finally, please continue to follow the Stay Safe. Stay Home. and social distancing guidance that has been issued by our governmental officials, and monitor/encourage all family members to do the same. For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19, please refer to:
State Michigan Coronavirus
United States Centers for Disease Control
Thank you for your partnership as we work together with our students, staff, families and community to promote the safety, health and well-being of all.
Take care and be well,
Renee Arnot
Executive Director
Executive Order 2020-35 Frequently Asked Questions
April 1, 2020
Today we sent out a Parent Survey via your classroom teacher utilizing Remind or Class Tag and via School Messenger. Please complete this survey to give your homeroom teacher an idea of what you are working with at home so we can support you and your student to the best of our ability. Please know that this information will be kept private!
Kindergarten Survey
First Grade Survey
Second & Third Grade Survey
Fourth & Fifth Grade Survey
Six Grade Survey
Seventh & Eighth Grade Survey
Thank you for your partnership as we work together with our students, staff, families and community to promote the safety, health and well-being of all.
Take care and be well,
Renee Arnot
Executive Director
March 23, 2020
Dear AMA Parents, Grandparents, and Guardians,
Wow, it is finally starting to sink in as Governor Gretchen Whitmer issues a shelter-in-place order for all Michigan residents for the next three weeks and closes schools until April 13. The purpose of this email is to check in on YOU. In just a matter of days, so much has been added to your plate. Please know that you are not alone. If you need anything during this time, I’m only an email away. Our teachers are also ready and willing to help. Our building will be closed, but we will be working from home. Food will be distributed at AMA on Wednesday, March 25 and Wednesday, April 1 from 11-1 pm.
Please know that during these times, there is no expectation of perfection. Our staff has worked to give you resources to help create some normalcy for your kids, but we don’t expect you to do it all. We know that you may have so many other things you are trying to shuffle.
We have provided various schedules for you to choose from on our website, but please know that each family situation is different, and it is okay to do what works for you. I do suggest coming up with a routine. This will help not only your kids, but you as well. Also, although it can be a battle, consider limiting screen time as it can cause kids to become anxious and grouchy. Great options for screen time are board games, puzzles, reading or writing, going for a walk or even a bike ride. Again, you need to do what works best for your family, but I want you to know you have my support through all of this!
At this moment, all of us are living through a historical moment. If you are looking for a meaningful assignment to give to your child while we are stuck at home, consider doing a “living through history” assignment. They could jot down their thoughts, questions, concerns, and observations about what’s going on. They could do this as a letter or a daily journal entry or have them post short videos of what they are thinking. “Flipgrid” is great for this. Here are some suggestions to get them started:
- Your family’s trip to the grocery store and “stocking up”
- Cancelled family vacations, canceled field trips, cancelling school
- How weird it is to have to learn at home
- How are you occupying your time?
- How do you feel about this? Psyched that you don’t have to come to school? Bored? Worried? Bummed that you won’t get to see your friends?
- What is changing for you because of this?
- What kinds of things are your families saying/doing/thinking?
- What is your “must have” if you are going to be cooped up for a while?
- What are your “binge watch” recommendations?
- Where is your new desk?
If your child feels comfortable, they can go a little deeper, but remember, they do not have to share anything that they do not want to.
- What is your #1 concern about what is going on right now?
- What is a small way in which your life has changed right now?
- What mattered to you a few days or a week ago that now seems irrelevant? Vice versa?
Remind your child that they are creating a primary source documentation of what one student was thinking in March of 2020 during the global pandemic. Now that we are all a part of history.
Finally, please know that “we got this.” Each of you have raised AMA-zing children. Take time to enjoy your kids, have fun with them, and love them. They will remember that for the rest of their lives. We will get through this together! Again, if you need anything, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Stay healthy and safe,
Renee Arnot
Renee Arnot
Proud Executive Director
Just checking in Google Form
list of locations in Wayne County providing free meals
March 15, 2020
Thank you for being so patient as we all navigate this unprecedented health crisis in our community.
During the next three weeks, and through our scheduled spring break, BOTH Upper & Lower will be CLOSED for all personnel and students. The exception to this is that BOTH Upper & Lower will be open on Monday, March 16 from 8:00 a.m. until noon for parents to pick up any student medication that is needed at home and any supplies from student lockers or desks that are needed.
Teachers have also prepared packets for each grade level. The purpose of this will be to give our students some options for learning during their time off if they choose. Again, this work is just for skills practice and review and to help prevent what we will call, the “Spring Slide!” We will be providing resources to our website and Facebook page with ideas for parents as well.
Comcast offering 'Internet Essentials' package free for low-income customers for 60 days
Food Service
Currently, we are working on a plan for our AMA families in providing meals for our students. We would appreciate your assistance by completing this SURVEY, to see what options would be best for you and your family. Once the plan is finalized, we will send further communication.
March Breakfast & Lunch
We will credit parents for the meals that were not delivered in March. Parents can email our Food Service Director, April Blackburn, at ablackburn@charterschoolpartners.com to inquire about the amount of their credit.
Field Trips
All field trips will be rescheduled. If we are unable to reschedule for some reason, we will communicate with the families of that field trip regarding refunding their money.
Kidztime
We will credit parents for the remaining days in March, starting Monday March 16. That payment would remain as a credit on their account and be applied to April bills once we reopen.
We will continue to monitor the spread of COVID-19 over the next three weeks. We don’t know if schools will re-open after Spring Break and will await guidance from the State of Michigan and the CDC. If we are unable to open schools after Spring Break, a decision will be made prior to April 6. We will continue to communicate with you.
We will also keep you updated by our School Messenger system and utilize our social media channels. Lastly, feel free to get up-to-date information from the CDC website.
Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have additional questions.
Stay healthy and safe!
Sincerely,
Renee Arnot
Renee Arnot
Executive Director
March 13, 2020
Dear Parents/Guardians/Staff and School Community,
First, thank you for your patience and support as we collectively navigate an evolving COVID-19 response plan. Late last evening, Governor Whitmer directed the closure of all K-12 schools statewide from Monday, March 16, 2020 through Sunday, April 5, 2020 in order to slow the spread of COVID-19. The Governor also noted that the number of presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 in Michigan is now 12.
In light of this information, and out of an abundance of caution, American Montessori Academy will also be closed today, Friday, March 12, 2020, with staff reporting for a day of professional development and preparation of resources to support students and families to minimize disruption to learning during the course of this extended school closure. Our offices will likewise be staffed, Monday, March 16 from 8-12 pm for those students/families that may have belongings to pick up at school.
All after-school activities, and events scheduled on Friday, March 13, 2020 through Sunday, April 6, 2020 are likewise cancelled, in accordance with the Governor’s guidance.
Please also note that learning at our schools primarily occurs inside classrooms with face-to-face teaching by certified instructors using interactive technology tools. We are committed to providing students and families with resources to support continuation of meaningful learning during school closures; however, we are not suggesting that this replaces instruction. Any guidance on recovering the learning that may be lost during a potential school closing will come from the Michigan Department of Education.
We will remain vigilant in monitoring the ongoing guidance provided by our health officials, and in sharing timely and accurate information to the extent possible. We are developing a “Frequently Asked Questions” document with additional guidance/clarification of setting aside attendance policies, resources available to support families, and will address specific questions students; families or staff members may have over the coming days and weeks.
We understand that closing school can be difficult for our families; this is a highly unusual situation that calls for our careful and thoughtful response in order to maintain safe and secure learning environments for our students and our staff. As always, we value our strong community partnership as we work together with our students, staff, families and community to promote the safety, health and well-being of all.
Sincerely,
Renee Arnot
Renee Arnot
Executive Director
https://www.waynecounty.com/departments/hhvs/wellness/novel-coronavirus-information.aspx
https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus/
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html