On March 9, the Board of Education further defined the Face-to-Face return beginning Monday, March 15 for elementary students and March 17 for BCS, middle and high school students. Secondary students will attend four full days with either Wednesday or Friday as an all-remote day to connect virtual learners with in-person learners in one setting. BCS, middle and high school students have the option of live-streaming as their remote option. Elementary will attend five full days with a Birmingham Virtual Academy option for those seeking remote learning. 

Please note the following bell times and calendar dates:

• Elementary students attending in person, beginning March 15, will be in school from 9:15-3:50. BVA students will be attending from 8:50-2:50 p.m.
• Berkshire and Derby students attending in person, beginning March 18, will be in school from 8:35-3:15 p.m. Berkshire and Derby students will have a Virtual Wednesday. Remote students attend via live-streaming. 
• BCS students attending in person, beginning March 17, will be in school from 8:35-3:15 p.m. BCS will have a Virtual Friday. Remote students attend via live-streaming. 
• High school students attend virtually in the a.m. only on March 17. Students will attend in person, beginning March 18. X-block will occur on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 7:30 a.m.- 8:10 a.m.  First hour will begin at 8:10 a.m. each day. Students will have a virtual Wednesday and remote students will attend via live-streaming. 
• Students in general education classes who have IEP’s will follow their level’s general education schedule. 
• Students in the special education Early Childhood classes will attend from 8:55-11:40 a.m. or 12:55-3:40 p.m., as is the normal half-day program. 
• Students in the special education CI and ASD classes will run five full days a week at all levels.

Under the newest MDHHS Epidemic Order, the Michigan mask mandate is being extended to include children ages 2-5, beginning Monday, April 26, 2021. BPS has been proactive in enforcing facial coverings in this age band and this order does not change our current protocols. Anyone who cannot medically tolerate a cloth mask, has trouble breathing, or is unable to remove the face covering without assistance should not wear a face mask.

 The order also updates mask rules for child care providers and camps. Now, child care providers and camps must not allow gatherings unless:

• A good faith effort is made to ensure children age 2-4 wear a mask when participating in gatherings.
• Children age 5 and up wear a mask when participating in gatherings.
• As a reminder, a gathering is defined as “any occurrence, either indoor or outdoor, where two or more persons from more than one household are present in a shared space.” Previous orders clarified mask use in different spaces because the masking requirements varied on age and environment. This gathering definition includes all of the areas that were previously referenced (e.g. homes, classrooms, transportation, hallways.)

Under this order, pre-K and camp staff are still required to wear masks, unless there is medical documentation on file exempting them from doing so. Additional information can be found here: 2020-lara-covid-bchs-guidelines-sheet-MASKS-PROOF-2_711796_7.pdf (michigan.gov).

Traveling and Quarantine: It is important to follow these guidelines as we work together to keep our students safely in school with the highest risk mitigation possible.

• Flying internationally; students must quarantine for a minimum of 7 days after returning home. In order to only quarantine for 7 days, a student must get a PCR COVID Test between days 3-5 of that quarantine and provide proof of negative test results. Students can then return to school on the 8^th day. Arrival back home considered day 0.

• With a negative PCR test, students may return on day 8
• No PCR test, students must quarantine for 10 days can return on the 11^th day.
• Continue to monitor for COVID symptoms for 14 days.
• If at any point during the process a student or family member begins to develop COVID-19 symptoms, the student and family will need to stay home and proceed according to BPS COVID-19 Protocols

Domestic Travel or Ground Travel; no quarantine period is required. Monitor for COVID symptoms for the next 7-10 days. Adhere to social distancing guidelines while traveling. 

If someone meets the criteria for fully vaccinated individuals, they do not have to quarantine or obtain a negative PCR test upon return home following international travel to return to school.