HANCOCK — Hancock High School will launch a student help program called “Operation Graduation” to support students who have entered into high-risk categories. The program will begin on Monday, Dec. 14, and rune through Thursday, Dec. 17.

In a Thursday email update, Superintendent Steve Patchin said the school has become very concerned with a new group of at-risk students who, since moving to the online learning format, are struggling academically.

Among them are those who had been thriving academically during face-to-face instruction.

“Many students are also struggling with depression,” he added, “due to the isolation associated with not actively engaging with their classmates (partially due to our rural setting), or decreased academic performance due to the instructional delivery format change.”

In response to these concerns, the high school building will be open to support these at-risk students, said Patchin.

“Students experiencing any ‘at-risk’ elements will be allowed to work with teachers face-to-face to complete current assignments and catch up on finishing past-due assignments, he said. “During their stay, they will also have access to breakfasts and lunches at our cafeteria, a service we have continued to offer free of charge thanks to federal support.”

Meanwhile, the school continues to provide Chromebooks and internet access for those who do not have sufficient access at home, who can also join this program. Those needing transportation will be able to use bus routes still operating to service our elementary and middle school students who are still in session.

“We will be operating a special midday bus to serve as a mid-day route that will be coordinated with the service schedule to be released soon,” Patchin said.

While in school buildings, students will need to continue to follow all COVID-19 Learning Plan protocols that were developed with the state government guidance. Hancock Public Schools have operated under these protocols since school began on Sept. 8.

“Thanks to the efforts in our community, in the last eight weeks,” Patchin said, “neither a student or staff member has contracted COVID-19 from others within our buildings. Following our plan is working!”

Operation Graduation starts Monday. The goal is to help struggling students catch up on their academic requirements, building their self-confidence and positive attitude while reengaging them with their peers and teachers. Hancock Schools want its high school students to start off 2021 on the right foot, said Patchin.

Principal Chris Salani will be sending out a questionnaire to high school students shortly.

“Please have your students fill out the form if they would like to take part in Operation Graduation,” said Patchin, “so we can plan for transportation needs and help our cafeteria plan needed meals accordingly. This is a voluntary program to support each of our student’s good health and academic success.”

The mission of Hancock Public Schools is to safely educate its students, preparing them for success in life whichever path they choose to take. The education team will continue to create effective programming to serve its students, ensuring their academic growth and social and emotional development.

On Monday, Dec.7, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) extended by 12 days the order for students in grades 9 -12 to continue virtual instruction. This extended a MDHHS emergency order issued on Nov. 15, beginning a 3 week pause which moved high school students to virtual learning beginning Monday, Nov. 16.

These orders allowed us to continue educating students with special needs in a face-to-face format. In addition, “High school buildings may be used for basic food services such as: food distribution; internet facilitation for students; child care; and health care/mental health services.”

“Our buildings were previously closed to face-to-face learning for two weeks from Monday, Sept. 28,” said Patchin, “returning to face-to-face learning on Monday, Oct. 12. On Nov. 16 we moved to distance learning again which is currently in effect.”