All Birmingham Public Schools facilities are closed to the public for the duration of the 2019-20 school year per state orders. Learn more about our BPS Online Learning, including an Online Family Guide, at www.birmingham.k12.mi.us/virtuallearning. 

Read the latest Executive Order here, which states in part: "in-person instruction for pupils in kindergarten through grade 12 is suspended for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year...unless restrictions on public gatherings and use of school buildings are lifted before the end of the 2019-2020 school year."

With confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Michigan, residents are being urged by the Governor’s office to take all necessary precautions to stay home to keep themselves and their families safe. This webpage offers information regarding the response within Birmingham Public Schools and links and resources from our state and CDC.

Oakland County released this document offering tips and resources around COVID-19, as well as testing information. 

FAQs

During this challenging time, BPS seeks to provide the community with an avenue to have their questions answered in hopes of providing transparent, informative details. See the FAQ for answers to questions already asked and submit new questions to our ASK A QUESTION link. BPS administrators will work to answer your questions as quickly as possible and to the best of our ability. 

The FAQs were last updated on May 7. Please refresh your browser if the document does not read May 7 for the latest version.  

Food Services

BREAKFAST AND LUNCH WILL BE CONTINUED. Meals are served Monday for Monday and Tuesday, Wednesday for Wednesday and Thursday, and Friday for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. This plan of action provides less contact for families receiving lunch and our staff. Linked to this communication is a flyer with information regarding breakfast and lunch services. Children 18 and younger eat free and children do not need to be present or enrolled in BPS to receive the meals. Additionally, students from the BPS Annex site up to age 26 also have access to the free breakfast and lunch services. Pick up locations include Groves High School in Beverly Hills, Derby Middle School in Birmingham, West Maple in Bloomfield Hills and Huntley Square Apartments in Beverly Hills.

BPS Town Hall events 

BPS hosted Town Hall events on May 5 and 6 at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. each day. Videos are available at www.youtube.com/birminghamps and linked here https://www.birmingham.k12.mi.us/Page/10871. 

Social Distancing and Hygiene Practices

Note: BPS custodial services will institute a cleaning plan that includes complete disinfection of all surfaces and heavy cleaning. Custodians will also target floor care, power washing, and detailed work generally scheduled for summer. Should direction from the state around workplace attendance change, these plans may be altered.  

We want to stress the seriousness of this situation. There are things we can do as a community to limit the spread of COVID-19 and help keep those most vulnerable safer. If you think you are sick or someone you care for is sick, visit the CDC website for directions on diagnosis and care. You can also visit the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services website for details around COVID-19, including information on Community Mitigation Strategies. Practice social distancing when you can, and review and exercise the prevention methods below and in the linked PDF.

The best prevention for COVID-19, and any other virus, such as the cold or flu, is to:

• Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for 20 seconds. If not available, use hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or upper sleeve when coughing or sneezing.
• Avoid handshakes
• Avoid contact with people who are sick.
• Remain 6 feet from your peers. 
• If you are sick, please stay home and avoid contact with others. 

Additionally, families and individuals at home can:

• Learn about the signs and symptoms of COVID-19. Symptoms include fever, cough, and difficulty breathing.
• If you have respiratory symptoms, STAY HOME WHEN YOU ARE SICK. Call your health care provider’s office in advance of your visit.
• Regularly clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces, like doorknobs, keyboards, cell phones, and light switches.
• Communicate and reinforce best practices for washing hands and covering coughs and sneezes.
• Be prepared if there is COVID-19 in your household or a disruption of daily activities in your community. For example, maintain a supply of medications, food, and other essentials in your house. Consider alternative shopping options such as curbside pickups or online deliveries.
• Keep a 6-foot distance from peers. 
• Access services as much as possible online or by phone.

Addressing Childhood Anxiety

While we want to make sure that our families are informed and prepared, we know that this has affected our students in varying ways. Here are some steps you can take at home to address their concerns:

1. Correct misinformation for them.
2. Focus on what kids can do to keep themselves healthy.
3. Manage your own catastrophic thinking. 
4. Don't dismiss their fears. Acknowledge that fear is healthy, and help them manage it appropriately. 
5. Preview changes or disruptions that may happen, like school closures.

Resources for families:

• ​Talking to Children about COVID-19 - Parent Resource from NASP
• ​Corona Virus Resources - ASCA
• ​Talking to Teens and Tweens About CoronaVirus - NYTimes
• ​Talking to Kids About The Corona Virus - ChildMind
• ​Just For Kids: A Comic Exploring The New Coronavirus - NPR
• PBS offers videos and resources
• Helping children cope with stress – World Health Organization   
• Helping Children Cope with Changes Resulting from COVID-19

Additional websites and resources

The Oakland County Health Division has provided the attached fact sheet to help address concerns. Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) What You Need to Know. Additionally, the CDC provides a situation summary that is updated daily as needed: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Situation Summary, as does MDHHS: Communicable & Chronic Diseases. The CDC will continue to prepare for the potential spread of COVID-19 and will provide guidance to communities. Learn more at CDC Protects and Prepares Communities.

Fact Sheets about the Coronavirus Disease were made available in four additional languages – Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, and Arabic.

Oakland County Health Division contact 
We encourage anyone with concerns or questions to contact the Oakland County Health Division at (248) 858-1280 or health@oakgov.com or visit https://www.oakgov.com/health.