Superintendent Mark Holzman has released an update to Manitowoc Public School District families in light of Governor Evers mandating the statewide closure of k-12 schools in Wisconsin. All Manitowoc Public School District schools will close to students, effective Monday, March 16
A message to parents reads as follows:
The purpose of this letter is to provide MPSD families with an update regarding the school calendar. Governor Evers issued an agency order to close all K-12 public and private schools beginning next Wednesday, March 18. In response, all Manitowoc Public School District schools will close to students, effective Monday, March 16 through at least April 3. All after-school curricular activities including athletic practices will also be canceled from March 16 to April 3. Any plans for school after April 3 will be determined in the coming weeks. MPSD’s spring break will continue as planned from March 23-27.
MPSD faculty and staff will report on Monday March 16 and Tuesday, March 17 to prepare academic coursework to be available on a digital platform. Students in Grades 6-12 already have district-issued Chromebooks they will use for digital learning. We will be issuing Chromebooks for students in Grades 1-5 and elementary school parents should pick up Chromebooks on Tuesday, March 17 from noon to 7 p.m. in their child’s school.
All schools will be open from noon to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 17 for students and families to pick up any medication, Chromebooks or other materials needed from their lockers.
● March 16-17: No School for students; faculty and staff to report to prepare academic coursework for digital platforms
● March 17, Noon to 7 p.m.: Elementary School Parents pick up Chromebooks; all schools open for students and families to pick up any items from lockers, instruments, medications
● March 18-20: Digital learning for all students
● March 23-27: Spring Break
● March 30-April 3: Digital learning for all students
● April 6: Potential re-opening of MPSD schools – to be determined
We understand that extended school closure will create hardship for many families. The school day is the centerpiece of the lives of many people. Children count on the reliable routine that a school day offers, from the classroom setting to the many people at school who know them, care for them, and provide recognition of them five days a week.
Contemplating weeks without that structure and care may seem daunting. Please know that we are doing our very best to make decisions that will help care for all of us through this time. As we have noted previously, this is a dynamic situation with frequent changes and updates. Our core priorities during this unprecedented health crisis are:
● Safety of students and staff, and the communities we serve;
● Providing daily meals for those who count upon our School Nutrition services;
● Maintaining learning momentum to the greatest extent possible, given the circumstances.Free meals will be available to all students under the age of 18 starting Wednesday, March 18 through Friday, March 20 and starting again on Monday, March 30 through Friday, April 3 at these three locations. No forms or registration are required.
Franklin Elementary School ● 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | 800 South 35th Street, Manitowoc, WI 54220
Jefferson Elementary School ● 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | 1415 Division Street, Manitowoc, WI 54220
Madison Elementary School ● 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | 701 N. 4th Street, Manitowoc, WI 54220
We will be sending frequent updates with information and resources via email, text messages, the COVID-19 pages on the MPSD website, and social media channels. We strongly encourage our families to understand COVID-19 symptoms, social distancing and treatment protocol and to follow the CDC travel guidelines.
We are grateful for your patience and understanding as we continue to work through this difficult situation. We will get through this challenge together.
Sincerely,
Mark Holzman
Superintendent Manitowoc Public School Distric
