Students will return to school this fall — but with conditions

Hamtramck Public School District students will be returning to in-person classroom learning this year. The district is taking several safety measures to protect students and staff from being infected by Covid. File photo

By Charles Sercombe
Mask up, students.
That’s the word from the Hamtramck Public School District about what to expect with the return of in-classroom learning.
All students and staff will be required to wear masks while inside school buildings.
In a letter to HPS families, posted on the Facebook page “Jaleelah Ahmed, Superintendent of Hamtramck Public Schools,” the conditions for the return to schools were outlined.
For those parents who wish to continue having their children learn remotely via virtual lessons, the district is requiring you to sign up — and make a commitment.
“We’re all about choice,” said Superintendent Jaleelah Ahmed at Wednesday’s school board meeting.
The HPS school year resumes Sept. 7, and enrollment is going on now.
In addition to wearing masks, social distancing will be enforced, and students will have assigned seats in each class.
While vaccinations are not being required for those eligible to receive one, the district is encouraging students and staff to get them.
Students 12 years and up are eligible for a vaccination, and there may be vaccinations for those younger in the near future.
The normal school immunizations are still required for those enrolling, unless parents have a waiver.
Schools will continue to be cleaned and disinfected daily, and students and staff will be encouraged to wash their hands frequently during the day.
Bus transportation will still be offered, and students will have assigned seating there as well. Buses, just like the school buildings, will be cleaned and sanitized each day.
Masks must also be worn on buses.
School food service will continue, but it will be up to each school to come up with their own schedules.
For those who do not feel well during the school year, they are encouraged to stay home, and get tested for COVID-19 if those symptoms are present.
As for athletics, those programs will continue. The district will follow safety guidelines for sports participants.
While the Hamtramck Public School District is mandating masks, a number of other districts in the state (and in other states) are still debating whether to require them.
In some districts, there have been pushbacks from parents, to the point where board meetings have turned into angry confrontations.
In Hamtramck, where board meetings are still held via zoom only, there have been no objections raised – at least, not as of yet.
Superintendent Ahmed commented on this controversy at Wednesday’s school board meeting, saying masking has “come to the point of being politicized.”
Posted Aug. 13, 2021