BRONSON, MI (WTVB) – Bronson Community Schools will join the Branch Area Careers Center and Quincy Schools in keeping classes 100% virtual until January 11, 2021.
Superintendent Steve Wilson posted the announcement to the district’s Facebook page, stating that the move would give everyone 10 days after any possible New Year’s Eve gatherings to self-quarantine and get tested if COVID-19 symptoms occur.
Wilson said in the announcement, “I know that many of us have been patiently waiting for numbers to improve in sincere hope that we can move forward with in-person instruction on the 9th. Unfortunately, that is not where we have landed based on the data and working with health professionals.”
Data from the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency, which has Branch County at a risk level of “E”, the highest possible, was used in making the decision.
The full text of the announcement follows:
Good afternoon Viking Nation!
It is with a heavy heart that I announce that we must make the difficult decision to remain virtual at Bronson Community Schools and return to school with face to face instruction on Monday, January 11. As stated and recommended by the health department, this date gives everyone 10 days after any possible New Year’s eve gatherings to self quarantine and get tested if symptoms occur to help with a much safer return.
This decision has been made collectively and with the recommendation and data provided to us by our local health department as Branch County remains at a risk level of ‘E’ which is the highest risk level possible. This decision will follow suit with the rest of the schools in the county and many in the area that have already made a decision to go virtual until after winter break. I know that many of us have been patiently waiting for numbers to improve in sincere hope that we can move forward with in person instruction on the 9th. Unfortunately, that is not where we have landed based on the data and working with health professionals.
Never in my life would I ever imagine that we would be in such a position to have to make these types of difficult decisions like we have had to make lately. It’s sad for students, it’s sad for teachers and sad for our parents and community. This pandemic has taken so much from many of us leaving many to wonder, what’s next.
We have learned from this and that’s one thing that’s positive that can be taken away from this experience. We have learned and we continue to learn about better ways to serve our students. In conversations with the administrative team yesterday, so many great ideas came out that will increase our ability to more effectively reach our students virtually. The principals will be working with staff members to develop a more in-depth plan of what happens next. We have heard thoughts, concerns, and issues from parents and we are making strides to make those situations better as much as we possibly can. As school personnel who have dedicated their entire lives to the education of young people, we completely know and understand how frustrating this is on so many fronts -and trust me we all share them.
Where all of us at Bronson Community Schools understand the importance of education and the academic piece of what we provide, the safety and welfare of our students and staff is a major priority to us in all situations and scenarios. Using the recommendation and current and projected data compiled by health professionals, we feel at this time this is our best option to maintain the integrity of safety for all the students and staff in Bronson. We understand the inconvenience that this causes families and the worry and concern we have for our children and their education. We do desperately apologize that we have all been put in this terrible situation through this pandemic and ask for your patience and understanding as we continue to learn and grow in these uncharted waters.
I do urge you that if you have thoughts and concerns regarding your child’s work, please contact your child’s teacher and they will work with you to the best of their ability to resolve any concerns you may have. All of us at Bronson Community Schools are here to help with whatever we can during this time. Please stay heathy.
With Viking Pride,
Steve Wilson
Superintendent
Bronson Community Schools
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