HOUGHTON — Julie Filpus, Middle School Principal, said Monday that this week begins her school’s roll-out of content delivered remotely, advising students that the material is now available to under the District News on the HPTS website.

“We ask that you are patient with this process as it is new for staff and students,” she said. “While teachers move forward with content, we understand that some new concepts, and the navigation, will present challenges. Please encourage your child(ren) to communicate with their teachers regarding questions on content or homework. Our staff will have office hours set up in Google Meet, through email, or by phone. We are here to help and support our students, but if the work on a particular day is overwhelming, please set it aside. The physical and mental health of all have to be a priority.

Filpus said the school is finalizing the list of students who need hard copies of materials, and staff members are planning a system for distribution. She hopes, she said, to have everything ready next week.

On Wednesday, April 8, and Thursday, April 9, from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1p.m.-3 p.m., the school will be distributing locker contents to families, said Filpus.

“At this time, we are only including contents from students’ main lockers.” she said. “Gym lockers will be emptied and contents returned to students at a later date.”

Throughout this process, she said, the school adhere to all guidelines set in place by the state of Michigan and the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department.

The process for pickup is as follows:

For students in grades 6-12, whose last name begins with A – M, pick up will be at the middle school entrance (Door 9). For students in grades 6-12, whose last name begins with N-Z, pick up will be at the pool/auditorium entrance (Door 4).

• We ask that you pull up to the curb and give your last name to the staff member waiting. This will be relayed to a person in the building who will bring locker contents to your car.

• When you pull up, please open a door/ trunk so we can simply place the bags directly into your car.

• We will also be collecting any library books that need to be returned.

• Some may have come into the building on March 16 to grab a few things. If there is anything that was left in your locker, please come to pick it up. We need them to be emptied for cleaning.

“Again, we appreciate your patience in the coming weeks,” Filpus said. “This is an evolving endeavor.”