COVID-19. Protests. Political rallies. Wildfires. Racial tensions. Hurricanes. Violence.
Considering everything that is happening in our world, it is easy to find ourselves anxious, fearful and worried.
But there is also perspective.
There are a great many events that we allow to affect us. And the truth is that we have no control over these events. We can only control how we respond to these events. If our response is reactionary and without thought, we typically create another event and sometimes add to the problem. However, if we respond with a disciplined and considerate response, positive outcomes result.
Nobody in the Merrill community created the COVID-19 event.
The only control we have is how we choose to respond to this event. While we each respond differently, a common denominator unites us and provides us with common ground: safety. Safety for each other and for ourselves. MAPS administrators and staff have worked very hard to create flexible learning environments for our students with safety as the highest priority. Safety precautions have been implemented for our students, staff and community.
Yes, this year will be unlike any other. Recess times have been modified to ensure proper social distancing. Lunch times have been carefully timed and even the location where some students will eat have been changed to prevent overcrowding. Cleaning protocols are now referred to as sanitization practices and have been elevated to the highest levels. Face coverings are a requirement for all building visitors and their physical presence has been dramatically limited. While Fall sports are scheduled to continue at the high school, attendance at games/meets/matches will be considerably regulated. I continue to respect and appreciate the partnership MAPS has with our community. Together we can accomplish a great deal to benefit our most valuable resource, our children. Thank you in advance for your patience, flexibility and understanding as we all respond with discipline to an event we cannot control in order to achieve the best possible outcome.
Attendance plan for 2020-21 School Year-
Kindergarten-5th Grade-Two Options:
• Face-to Face instruction five days per week
• Enrollment into the Bridges Virtual Academy
Grades 6-12-Three Options:
• Face-to-Face instruction five days per week,
• A Hybrid A-B model (half of hybrid students 3 days face-to-face instruction, 2 days virtual instruction per week while other half is 2 days face-to face, 3 days virtual. A-B groups flip flop weeks
• Enrollment into the Bridges Virtual Acaedemy
Dr. John Sample
Proud Superintendent