COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – After Governor Whitmer’s decision to shut down schools in Michigan for three weeks because of the spread of COVID-19, Coldwater Community Schools Superintendent Terry Whelan tried to answer questions Friday that district patrons had about the current situation as it relates to programs, services and spring break.
She said daycare programs and pre-school programs that are housed in school buildings were ordered to close as well. That means no Kids Club and KLA daycare as well as the Branch Intermediate School District programs of Great Start Readiness and Head Start will be closed for the three weeks school is shut down.
Whelan said unless there is a mandate from the Governor or the Michigan Department of Education, Coldwater Schools will be keeping Spring Break in the same time period that had been previously scheduled which is April 6-10.
There are 11 counties in Michigan that share the same spring break time period that Coldwater has.
Whelan says they know that many of families have their vacation plans already in place and it would be a financial hardship on them to cancel plans at this time.
She adds at this time, they do not know if they will be required to make up days at the end of this school year. Those decisions have either not been made or shared with them by the Michigan Department of Education or the Governor’s office.
As for breakfast and lunch, those meals will be ready to be picked up daily for families that would like to participate starting Monday, March 16th. The pickup locations will be Jefferson Elementary and Legg Middle School. The food staff will be providing bagged breakfast and lunches from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Families can drive up to the curb and the food will be handed to you through your car windows. You are asked to use the Western Avenue parent parking lot at Legg Middle School and the Vans Avenue parent loop at Jefferson Elementary. There is no cost for this food or service.
Students were given home work for the time they will be away from school and parents were asked to keep their youngsters engaged with their work and teachers.
