COVID-19

  • All Birmingham Public Schools facilities are closed to the public for the duration of the 2019-20 school year per state orders.

    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. 

    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 April 2, following the announcement from the Governor. Please refresh your browser if the document does not read April 2 for the latest version.  


    Launch of Online Learning

    Virtual learning opportunities are available online for students by grade-level and subject areas. Students will be encouraged to participate in activities/tasks which will not be assessed. This approach ensures equity and access for all learners. Learn more at https://www.birmingham.k12.mi.us/Page/10806. Find additional enrichment opportunities and resources on our learning resource page. 

    Additionally, as we support the whole child, you can expect teachers to check-in with their students a few times a week. Expect them to reference aspects of the virtual opportunities to further learning during the closure. Please do not hesitate to reach out to teachers if your child is having difficulty accessing the learning activities. Our staff will be flexible during this challenging time.

    Accessing Materials
    Virtual learning will occur via Google Classroom. If accessing Google Classroom via mobile phone, you can download the app or access it using the following link: https://classroom.google.com. Step-by-step directions for signing-in to Google Classroom can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFjQK7xy7Xk.  

    High school students can expect an email from their principal providing the JOIN CODES for the subject-specific Google Classrooms that will be available on Thursday, March 19. K-8 students will be automatically added to their respective Google Classrooms. These Google Classrooms are accessible to students logged in to their bps-schools.com accounts. Parents will need to use their student’s log in to view activities.

    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.

    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 detail 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.

    handwashing

    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:

    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.

Communication from Birmingham Public Schools Regarding Coronavirus

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Governor Whitmer COVID-19 Updates