**UPDATE 3/12: More Metro Detroit Schools Announce Closures Due To Coronavirus - CLICK FOR LATEST
WEST BLOOMFIELD, Mich. (WWJ) - Multiple school districts in metro Detroit are closing this week for "contingency planning" as the first cases of COVID-19 in Michigan have been announced.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Tuesday night that two people -- an Oakland County woman and a Wayne County man -- have confirmed cases of presumptive coronavirus.
The West Bloomfield School District will be closing the school on Friday for a contingency planning day. School officials say staff members will report to school Friday to work on the district's remote learning instruction plan in the event they have to close schools for a prolonged period of time. Classes are scheduled to resume to normal on Monday.
The school district said it is in close communication with the Oakland County Health Division (OCHD), Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHH), and Oakland Schools. The district will continue to "follow their guidance and recommendations regarding the COVID-19 outbreak," noting it is a rapidly changing situation.
Later Wednesday, Rochester Community Schools officials said their district will be closed for students, including School-Age Care (SAC) and Teen Enrichment Activities for Middle School (TEAMS), on Thursday and Friday so they can provide training to staff if it becomes necessary to engage students in remote learning outside of the classroom.
"The health and safety of our students, staff, and community is our highest priority," a statement from the school district said. "We are committed to providing our families with updates as new information about the coronavirus, COVID-19, becomes available. As of Tuesday, March 10, two cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Michigan—one in Wayne County and one in Oakland County."
West Bloomfield's remote learning instruction plan includes the continued use of Google Classroom. A vast majority of the district's students and staff are already utilizing Classroom.
"We are confident that our students will still receive the same high-quality education they receive each day by using this instructional aide. Friday's training will help staff and administrators work through the rollout of this plan in the event of a prolonged school closing," officials said in a statement.
All community meetings, rentals, and gatherings scheduled to take place at the school's facilities between now and spring break -- March 30-April 3 -- are canceled. That includes scheduled PTO events or meetings, community education classes and events, and all facility rentals between now and spring break (March 30-April 3).
Staff members will also be discussing the challenges surrounding closing schools for a prolonged period of time, including students with limited access to the internet and students in need of the district's food service program.
In Livonia, parent teacher conferences scheduled for Thursday evening have been canceled.
"Moving forward, principals will communicate with their school communities on other school event cancellations or postponements, through spring break. These decisions will be based on the state guidelines regarding large scale gatherings," a statement from Livonia Public Schools said.
"As always, parents are encouraged to contact their child's teacher(s) with questions or concerns regarding student academic progress."
All Michiganders are urged to observe good hygiene practices amidst the virus outbreak. That includes washing hands frequently and using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if you cannot wash your hands.
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