HANCOCK — Superintendent Steve Patchin announced last Friday that the Continuity of Learning and COVID-19 Response Plan (COL) for Hancock schools has been approved by the state.

The COL is focused on student engagement and learning with the focus of teaching content to students using flexible instruction methods. The COL, a 10-page document, includes the following:

Barkell Elementary students:

• Students attending Barkell Elementary will be assessed on their engagement in learning activities provided by our dynamic team of teachers.

• We are required to track student engagement and need it as we continue to improve delivery of our new blended distance learning program.

• We are asking parents and guardians to return physically or virtually activities and assignments to their teacher each wee, so our teachers and staff can report to the state required engagement statistics.

• Please allow your students to work through the material at their own pace. Students will be passed onto the next grade next year. Expect report cards to also come out soon for Quarter 3.

Middle and High School

students (except seniors):

• Teachers will continue to provide packets with activities/assignments each week that can be dropped off at our Hancock Library drop box at the high school entrance when completed. Teachers are also adding virtual components to engage students who have use of technology. Teachers will communicate participation expectations to their students.

• Quarter 3 ended on March 13 before the closure commenced. Students were given until today, April 17, to turn in last work. Grades for Quarter 3 will come out soon.

• In Quarter 4, students will need to complete 60% of the activities and assignments to earn a “pass” for the quarter. Failure to complete 60% of the activities or assignments by the last day of our recorded school year, June 10, will earn an “incomplete,” which will remain on their record until they successfully achieve the 60% participation requirements. This will earn them satisfactory progress to the next level.

• Students earning a “pass” for Quarter 4 will have the opportunity to increase their Quarter 3 grade by up to one grade level. They could move from B to an A, or even E to a D if completing over 60% of the Quarter 4 work.

• Students earning a passing grade in Quarter 3 and a “pass” in Quarter 4 will move forward to the next grade.

High School seniors:

• Seniors will be asked to complete a portfolio, which will include an updated resume to our specifications in order to receive a “pass” to graduate. Directions on the requirements of this portfolio will be sent to them early next week. Teachers teaching current seniors and Principal Chris Salani will help guide seniors through the construction of this portfolio.

Patchin also took time to address some of the questions that are likely still fresh on parents’ minds as the school year comes to a close.

Question: Didn’t the Governor say all students would pass to the next grade?

Answer: Yes, our Gov. Whitmer did make the students in grades K – 11 will advance to the next grade at the beginning of the next school year. She also ordered us to develop a learning plan to engage students and provide how we were going to measure that engagement to encourage continued student learning. The plan we have created, similar to other districts in the area, was approved by our ISD who was acting in accordance with direction from the Michigan Department of Education.

Question: What if my middle or high school student does not reach 60% participation by June 10 in a class(es), will they move on to the next grade?

Answer: Yes, per the governor’s order. In classes they did not achieve 60% participation, thus receiving and “incomplete,” they will still need to complete activities or assignments to get to 60% engagement. Options to get this done could include remediation such as summer school, an elective next fall semester, after school programming next fall, or other arrangement.

Question: What if my senior does not complete a portfolio, will he/she be able to graduate?

Answer: Your student must complete a portfolio which includes all content requirements in order to graduate per direction of the Governor’s office and the Michigan Department of Education.