Being Prepared: Government, Organizations Providing Resources to Manage COVID-19
There are now reported cases of the COVID-19 virus in Michigan. To help with communications and management, a number of resources, including those specific to school districts, have been introduced by both the federal and state governments, as well as several organizations.
MASB will continue to keep you up-to-date on this issue and others impacting public education in Michigan. Feel free to reach out to us with any questions.
Please note that it is important to coordinate with your local health department since this is a public health issue.
Also, please share what your district is doing to meet student needs during the COVID-19 closures by using the hashtag #SchoolsGetItDone on Facebook and Twitter.
Information is categorized by:
Sign On to Support Home Internet by March 24, 2020
MASB Communcations
Conducting a Virtual School Board Meeting FAQs From MASB Legal Counsel Brad Banasik, J.D., April 3, 2020
Email Regarding Governor Issuing Executive Order Ending Face-to-Face Instruction for 2019-2020 School Year, April 2, 2020
Joint Statement From MASB, MASA, MAISA, MASSP Regarding Gov. Whitmer’s Order Suspending Face-to-Face Learning for 2019-2020, April 2, 2020
Resolution Granting Emergency Powers to Superintendent, March 25, 2020
Statement From MASA, MASB, MAISA Regarding COVID-19 School Closures and Certainty for Educators, Students and Families, March 25, 2020
UPDATED: Holding School Board Meetings During the COVID-19 Pandemic FAQs From MASB Legal Counsel Brad Banasik, J.D., March 24, 2020
Message From MASB Executive Director Don Wotruba, March 23, 2020
Education Organizations Blast Inaction on COVID-19 School Support, March 17, 2020
Statement From MAISA, MASA, MASB, MASSP, MSBO Regarding State Testing Mandate Waiver From the USDOE, March 17, 2020
MASB March and April Event Updates, March 17, 2020
COVID-19 Response From MASB Executive Director Don Wotruba, March 13, 2020
Statement From MAISA, MASA, MASB, MASSP, MSBO Regarding School Closures Across the State, March 13, 2020
Open Meetings
Conducting a Virtual School Board Meeting FAQs From MASB Legal Counsel Brad Banasik, J.D., April 3, 2020
UPDATED: Holding School Board Meetings During the COVID-19 Pandemic FAQs From MASB Legal Counsel Brad Banasik, J.D., March 24, 2020
MARCH 23, 2020 NOTE: From Legal Counsel Brad Banasik, J.D., the Executive Order going into effect at 12:01 a.m. March 24, 2020 prohibits any type of school board meeting where the board was planning to meet in a physical location. This means your board, and any community participants, may only meet electronically until the order is lifted. You may want to consider an emergency meeting before midnight today to take care of necessary business and avoid having a virtual meeting.
Michigan Public Notices
A method to get notices of emergency meetings up online from the Michigan Press Association.
Simply email emergencypublicnotices@michiganpress.org with the notice and what county you are in and the MPA will take it from there. There is a button on the MIPublicNotices.com homepage labeled "Emergency Coronavirus Meetings" that will take the reader to all of these uploaded notices. The reader can search for notices by county if they desire.
You should also continue to post notices as the law requires for your meetings in the local newspaper. In recognition of the fact that citizens may be unable to access notices posted at government buildings or online, you are encouraged to post notices (with the meeting agenda) in your local newspapers even if you are not legally required to do so in the interest of keeping the public informed.
Executive Order 2020-15 from Governor's Office regarding Temporary authorization of remote participation in public meetings and hearings and temporary relief from monthly meeting requirements for school boards, March 18, 2020
Michigan Department of Education
Map Available to Find Meals for Children During School Closure | Direct Access to Map
Online Instructional Resources webpage
MDE Memo 25: Emergency Provisions for Special Education Student Teaching and Practicum Requirements, April 6, 2020
Continuity of Learning and COVID-19 Response Plan Application Template From MDE, MAISA and MCCSA, April 3, 2020
MDE Memo 24: Template for Continuity of Learning and COVID-19 Plans, April 3, 2020
Press Release: State Superintendent Comments on School Closure Executive Order, April 2, 2020
Press Release: MDE to Request Federal Waiver for Child Nutrition Programs, March 31, 2020
MDE Memo 23: Social-Emotional Supports in a Crisis, March 30, 2020
MDE Memo 22: Career and Technical Education Requirements During COVID-19 Closure, March 30, 2020
MDE Memo 21: Flexibility in Title Funds for Technology, March 27, 2020
Press Release: MDE to Request Federal Waiver for Child Nutrition Programs, March 25, 2020
MDE Memo 20: Individuals With Disabilities Education Act Part C (Early On) During K-12 School Closure due to Executive Orders 2020-11 and 2020-21 (COVID-19), March 23, 2020
MDE Memo 19: Clarification on Distance Learning for Special Education Students, March 24, 2020
MDE Memo 18: Free and Low-Cost Resources for Districts, March 24, 2020
MDE Memo 17: FCC Waives USF Restrictions on Vendor Gifts to Applicants Temporarily, March 24, 2020
MDE Press Release: Michigan Department of Education Receives Federal Waivers, March 23, 2020
MDE Memo 16: Instructional Time During School Closure, March 20, 2020
MDE Memo 15: Guidance and Considerations for Child Care Within Classrooms for Children Ages 6 Weeks Through 5 Years During the COVID-19 State of Emergency, March 19, 2020
MDE Letter: Partnership and Leadership in Unprecedented Times, March 18, 2020
MDE Memo 14: Guidance and Considerations for 31n/C4S Mental Health Providers, March 18, 2020
MDE Memo 13: Guidance Provided to Our Educator Preparation Providers, March 18, 2020
MDE Memo 12: Use of Federal Title Funds During Mandated COVID-19 Closure, March 18, 2020
MDE Memo 11: Guidance on Transition to Online Learning: Considerations and Technical Readiness, March 18, 2020
MDE Memo 10: Compliance Requirements for Great Start Collaboratives and Parent Coalitions funded programs and services during a Public Health Emergency, March 18, 2020
MDE to Request Federal Waivers for Child Nutrition, Emergency Food Assistance & Commodity Supplemental Food Programs, March 17, 2020
MDE Letter: To U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos regarding state assessments waiver, March 17, 2020
MDE Memo 9: Head Start Agency Requirements During COVID-19 Closures, March 17, 2020
MDE Memo 8: 21st Century Community Learning Centers Requirements During COVID-19 Closures, March 16, 2020
MDE Memo 7: Early Middle College Requirements During COVID-19 Closure, March 16, 2020
MDE Memo 6: Career and Technical Education Requirements During COVID-19 Closure, March 16, 2020
MDE Memo 5: Feeding Children During School Closures, March 16, 2020
MDE Memo 4: Update on Student Assessment and COVID-19, March 13, 2020
MDE Nutrition Information: Unanticipated School Closure SFSP Information, March 13, 2020
MDE Memo 3: Compliance Requirements of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act Part C During a Public Health Emergency, March 13, 2020
MDE Memo 2: GSRP Requirements During COVID-19 Closures, March 13, 2020
MDE Memo 1: Compliance Requirements of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act and Michigan Administrative Rules for Special Education During a Public Health Emergency, March 13, 2020
MDE and MDHHS Joint Memo: COVID-19 Updated Guidance, March 11, 2020
MDE and MDHHS Joint Memo: COVID-19 Updated Guidance, Feb. 28, 2020
State/National Government Offices
MDHHS Volunteer Website: www.michigan.gov/fightcovid19
Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos Authorizes New Funding Flexibilities to Support Continued Learning During COVID-19 National Emergency, April 6, 2020
Executive Order 2020-38 from Governor's Office: Temporary Extensions of Certain FOIA Deadlines to Facilitate COVID-19 Emergency Response Efforts, April 5, 2020
Executive Order 2020-35 from Governor's Office, Provision of K-12 Education During the Remainder of the 2019-2020 School Year, April 2, 2020
Executive Order 2020-33 from Governor's Office, Expanded Emergency and Disaster Declaration, April 1, 2020
Federal Stimulus Acts in Response to the Coronavirus Pandemic, Michigan Senate Fiscal Agency, March 31, 2020
Joint Statement from Governor's Office and Legislative Leaders, Supplemental Funding for COVID-19 Response, March 30, 2020
Memorandum from the White House, Providing Federal Support for Governors’ Use of the National Guard to Respond to COVID-19, March 30, 2020
Executive Order 2020-27 from Governor's Office, Conducting Elections on May 5, 2020 Using Absent Voter Ballots, March 27, 2020
Executive Order 2020-26 from Governor's Office, Extension of April 2020 Michigan Income Tax Filing Deadlines, March 27, 2020
Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Advice for the Public: Myth Busters from the World Health Organization
Letter from Governor's Office, Request for Presidential Disaster Declaration Major Disaster, March 26, 2020
Press Release from Governor's Office, Food Service to Children Continues Through the “Stay Home” Order, March 25, 2020
Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Questions and Answers, U.S. Department of Labor
Executive Order 2020-21 FAQs, updated regularly
Executive Order 2020-21 from Governor's Office, Temporary requirement to suspend activities that are not necessary to sustain or protect life, March 23, 2020
Guidance for individuals to determine when they can leave home
Guidance for businesses to determine who can perform in-person work
USDOE Supplemental Fact Sheet: Addressing the Risk of COVID-19 in Preschool, Elementary and Secondary Schools While Serving Children With Disabilities, March 21, 2020
USDOE Press Release: Helping Students Adversely Affected by School Closures, Secretary DeVos Announces Broad Flexibilities for States to Cancel Testing During National Emergency, March 20, 2020
Governor Whitmer Statement on Instructional Time During School Closure, March 20, 2020
House Resolution 6201 - Families First Coronavirus Response Act
Executive Order 2020-15 from Governor's Office regarding Temporary authorization of remote participation in public meetings and hearings and temporary relief from monthly meeting requirements for school boards, March 18, 2020
FCC Press Release: FCC Waives Rural Health Care and E-Rate Program Gift Rules to Promote Connectivity for Hospitals and Students During Coronavirus Pandemic, March 18, 2020
Executive Order 2020-11 from Governor's Office regarding temporary prohibition on large assemblages and events, temporary school closures, March 16, 2020
Executive Order 2020-10 from Governor's Office regarding temporary expansions in unemployment eligibility and cost-sharing, March 16, 2020
Executive Order 2020-9 from Governor's Office, which temporarily closes theaters, bars and casinos, and limits restaurants to carry-out and delivery orders
State of Michigan information page for residents, including fact sheets in languages other than English
Executive Order 2020-5 from Governor's Office regarding events and shared-space assemblages of 250 people or more, March 13, 2020
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services website—latest information about how many people in Michigan have been tested for the virus, along with fact sheets and frequently asked questions
MDHHS statewide hotline open every day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.: 888.535.6136
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued guidance for administrators at K-12 schools for planning, preparing and responding to COVID-19
USDOE COVID-19 ("Coronavirus") Information and Resources for Schools and School Personnel
Other Education Organizations
NSBA's Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201) FAQ
Educational Equity & Coronavirus, The Education Trust-Midwest
American Federation of Teachers Michigan, AFL-CIO Guidance on Reporting to Work, March 16, 2020
COVID-19: Preparing For Widespread Illness in Your School Community: A Legal Guide for School Leaders from the National School Boards Association and National Association of School Nurses
Toolkit for Communicating About Coronavirus Disease 2019 from Michigan School Public Relations Association
Michigan Association of Superintendents & Administrators Resource Center
National School Boards Association Responding to Coronavirus
NSPRA and Blackboard COVID-19 Resource Center for K-12
Education-at-Home Tools
Carnegie Learning
CollegeBoard (for AP students)
Detroit Institute of Arts
Detroit Public TV
Edmentum
Edx
Epic!
Field Museum
Global Digital Library
The Henry Ford
Instruction Partners
Khan Academy Schedules for School Closures
Learning Equality
Learning Heroes
The Learning Network
Lesson Planet
Michigan Virtual
Mystery Science
National Geographic
Scholastic Learn at Home and Resources for Teachers
School’s Out Remote Resources from Facebook
Share My Lesson
Teaching Tolerance
Additional Resources
Broadband and Student Performance Gaps Report, Quello Center, Michigan State University, March 2020
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Coronavirus Coverage FAQs, March 12, 2020
Cleaning, Sanitizing and Targeted Disinfecting on the School Bus
Recent COVID-19 News
- Coronavirus Tracker, updated daily
- #SchoolsGetItDone Twitter stream, updated daily
- Gov. Whitmer Relaxes Michigan FOIA Law, Citing Coronavirus Concerns, April 6, 2020
- Schools Ditch Zoom Amid Concerns Over Online Learning Security, April 6, 2020
- Schools Concerned About Effects of Coronavirus on Census Participation, April 6, 2020
- Detroit Schools to Launch Online Learning as District Faces Problems With Data Plans, April 6, 2020
- Special Education Will be one of the Biggest Challenges for Schools Going Online, April 6, 2020
- Opinion: COVID-19 Proves Educational System too Rigid, April 5, 2020
- Michigan Closes K-12 Schools: What Parents, Teachers, Kids Need to Know, April 2, 2020
- 10 Things you Need to Know About Michigan’s K-12 School Shutdown, April 2, 2020
- State's School Districts Move to Retool Education for Next Three Months, April 2, 2020
- States Largely Have Authority Over When to Shut Down, Reopen, April 2, 2020
- Michigan School Districts, Firms Churn out Masks With 3-D Printers, April 1, 2020
- How Gov. Whitmer's Decision on School Year Will Impact MHSAA's Action on Sports Seasons, April 1, 2020
- Our Teachers Have Earned the Benefit of the Doubt. Be Patient During Pandemic, April 1, 2020
- Disconnected and Disadvantaged: Schools Race to Give Students Access, April 1, 2020
- Coronavirus for Kids Without Internet: Quarantined Worksheets, Learning in Parking Lots, April 1, 2020
- School District Steps up, Creates Health Care Equipment, April 1, 2020
- Public TV Stations Pitch in to Deliver Ed Content During Coronavirus Shutdowns, April 1, 2020
- For Seniors, a Memorable Finale Cut Short, March 31, 2020
- School Shutdowns Raise Stakes of Digital Divide for Students, March 30, 2020
- How to Teach Social-Emotional Learning When Students Aren't in School, March 30, 2020
- Here’s a First Look at Chicago’s new Remote Learning Plan, Which Will Include 100,000 Devices for Students, March 30, 2020
- MSU, K-12 Schools Using 3D Printers to Make Face Shields, Masks for Medical Workers, March 30, 2020
- 3rd Graders Were Supposed to be Held Back if They Couldn’t Read. Then COVID-19 Hit., March 29, 2020
- Area Educators Learn on the Fly how to Keep Students Engaged Online, March 28, 2020
- Florida Schools are Responding Differently to the Pandemic Than Other States, March 28, 2020
- President Trump Approves Michigan’s Disaster Declaration, March 28, 2020
- Michigan Student Learns She's Valedictorian While Working Drive-Thru Because of Coronavirus, March 28, 2020
- Businesses are Stepping up to Help During the Pandemic, March 27, 2020
- Homeschooling During the Coronavirus Will set Back a Generation of Children, March 27, 2020
- DeVos Floats ‘Microgrants’ for Students, Teachers as Coronavirus Upends Schooling, March 27, 2020
- Michigan Students Returning to Classrooms This School Year 'Very Unlikely,' Whitmer Says, March 27, 2020
- Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer Delays State, City Income Tax Filing Deadlines Over Coronavirus Pandemic, March 27, 2020
- What we Need: A Marshall Plan for Public Education’s COVID-19 Response, March 26, 2020
- Educators Step Up to Fill Distance Learning Gap, March 26, 2020
- Most Teachers Say They are ‘Not Prepared’ to Teach Online, March 26, 2020
- The Achievement Gap is 'More Glaring Than Ever' for Students Dealing With School Closures, March 26, 2020
- Michigan Educators Demand Action From State on Plan for Schools, March 26, 2020
- Money for Technology, Cleaning, Summer Learning: What the Coronavirus Stimulus Means for Schools, March 26, 2020
- 5 Things District Leaders Should Brace for During a Recession, March 25, 2020
- School Board Conducts First Virtual Public Meeting, March 25, 2020
- High School Advanced Placement Tests to be Given Online, March 25, 2020
- Pandemic Could Lead to 'Major Upheaval' in School District Budgets, March 25, 2020
- Michigan Scrambles to Salvage School Year in Wake of Coronavirus, March 25, 2020
- East Lansing Schools use 3D Printers to Make Masks for Sparrow Medical Staff Fighting Coronavirus, March 25, 2020
- School Aid Bill in Limbo as Michigan Legislature Cancels Session Amid Coronavirus Crisis, March 24, 2020
- I Regret Taking Normal for Granted, March 24, 2020
- Reaching ‘Our Most Invisible Population’ During a Pandemic: How Schools Are Scrambling to Protect Homeless Students as Coronavirus Disrupts Lives, March 24, 2020
- The Coronavirus Double Whammy: School Closures, Economic Downturn Could Derail Student Learning, Research Shows, March 24, 2020
- Jacques: Crisis Reveals School Leadership Woes, March 24, 2020
- School Meal Distributions to Continue Under Stay-at-Home Order, March 24, 2020
- A Trauma-Informed Approach to Teaching Through Coronavirus, March 23, 2020
- Coronavirus Extends Michigan School Closures Until at Least April 14, March 23, 2020
- State School Chief Urges Lawmakers to Waive Time, Test Mandates, March 23, 2020
- Michigan Sending Absentee Ballot Applications to all May 5 Election Voters Because of Coronavirus Outbreak, March 23, 2020
- Opinion | I’m a Michigan Educator. Here's why Online Learning Should 'Count', March 23, 2020
- Don’t Fret, ’Pandemic School’ is New to us All; Tips From Michigan Teacher of the Year, March 22, 2020
- Michigan Families can get Food, Cash, Internet During Coronavirus Crisis, March 22, 2020
- I Need You to Care About the Education of Other Kids in Michigan, March 21, 2020
- Parents Urge Michigan to Change Rules About Online Learning During Coronavirus, March 21, 2020
- Virus Concerns Lead to `Public' Meetings Without the Public, March 21, 2020
- What the Family First Coronavirus Relief Bill Means for Small-Business Owners and Self-Employed People, March 21, 2020
- Trump Waives School Standardized Test Requirements Amid Coronavirus Outbreak, March 20, 2020
- When Schools Shut Down, We All Lose, March 20, 2020
- A Michigan School Bus Turns Food Truck During Coronavirus School Shutdown, March 20, 2020
- 'There Have Been a Lot of Tears': Coronavirus Threatens to Shut Schools Until the Fall, March 20, 2020
- School Districts in 7 States Getting Remote Learning Help From Public Television, March 19, 2020
- Midland Deploying Hotspot Devices for Offline Students, March 19, 2020
- What’s Standing Between Michigan School Districts and Online Instruction During the COVID-19 Outbreak?, March 19, 2020
- Education Must Be Part Of Our Coronavirus Response, March 19, 2020
- As Schools Shift Lessons Online, Experts Fear Some Kids may get Left Behind, March 19, 2020
- Michigan Governing Goes Virtual During Coronavirus, Posing Host of Questions, March 19, 2020
- Spectrum Offering Free Wi-fi, Broadband to Homes With Students, March 19, 2020
- Ed Department Offers More Special Education Guidance Amid COVID-19, March 18, 2020
- Pressure Mounts for Feds to Drop State Testing Requirements Amid Widespread School Closures, March 18, 2020
- The one Undoubtable Positive to Come of the Coronavirus: A new Appreciation of Teachers, March 18, 2020
- Michigan Schools Asked to Open Emergency Child Care Centers for ‘Essential Workers’, March 18, 2020
- Closing Every School in America Because of the Coronavirus Would Cost the US Economy $51 Billion a Month, March 17, 2020
- In Trying Times, Put Students' Needs First, March 17, 2020
- Michigan’s School Closures: What we Know About Pay, Testing, Meals and More, March 17, 2020
- May School Elections Could get Pushed to August Because of Coronavirus, March 17, 2020
- This is our ‘Greatest Generation’ Moment to Sacrifice for Others, March 16, 2020
- Coronavirus Closes Schools for Half of All Kids in the U.S., Now What?, March 16, 2020
- Michigan Expands Unemployment Benefits Amid Coronavirus Concerns to Include Sick Workers, Caregivers, March 16, 2020
- Questions About Michigan Coronavirus School Closings? We Have (Some) Answers, March 15, 2020
- Schools are Closing—There is a WAY for Learning to Continue, March 15, 2020
- The Best Thing Everyday Americans can do to Fight Coronavirus? #StayHome, Save Lives, March 15, 2020
- Whitmer Bans Public Events of Over 50 People, Down From Friday's Order of 250, March 16, 2020
- Coronavirus Closed Michigan Schools for 3 Weeks. CDC Says That's not Long Enough, March 13, 2020
- Uncertainty Abounds During ‘Unprecedented Situation’ After Governor Orders School Closure, March 13, 2020
- Zoom CEO Eric Yuan is Giving K-12 Schools his Videoconferencing Tools for Free, March 13, 2020
- Talking to Kids About Virus? Experts say be Calm and Honest, March 12, 2020
- CDC Recommends Schools Implement E-Learning Plans, March 12, 2020
- Coronavirus Quarantines Could rob Poor, Rural Students of Access to Education, March 10, 2020
- Schools Should 'Minimize Disruption' Over Coronavirus, CDC Official Says, March 3, 2020
- Schools Around West Michigan Prepare for COVID-19, March 2, 2020
- How to Respond to Coronavirus: 6 Steps for Schools, March 2, 2020
- How US Schools are Preparing for the Coronavirus, March 2, 2020
- Questions and Answers on Providing Services to Children With Disabilities During the Coronavirus 2019 Disease Outbreak, CDC, March 2020
- Coronavirus and School Closures: What Are the Legal, Logistical Issues?, Feb. 28, 2020
- MI School Leaders, Health Officials Take Steps To Ease Fears Of Coronavirus Outbreak, Feb. 28, 2020
- Michigan School Leaders and Health Officials Take Proactive Steps to Ease Fears of a Possible Coronavirus Outbreak, Feb. 27, 2020
- Michigan Schools Scramble to Plan for a Potential Coronavirus Outbreak, Feb. 27, 2020