Ann Arbor Public Schools are transitioning from in-person to virtual learning for the coming half day

ANN ARBOR, MI – A half-day scheduled for next Wednesday, January 26 for Ann Arbor Public Schools has switched from a half-day of in-person school to a half-day of virtual learning for all students, announced Superintendent Jeanice Swift announced on Friday.

Swift said the decision was made as AAPS continues to work on ongoing, “significant” staffing challenges related to COVID-19, but did not specify whether staffing issues were the specific reason for the learning mode switch.

During Wednesday’s half-day of virtual learning, Swift said, students are expected to log into their classes at the regular morning report time, in line with their school’s schedule for the early release day.

Swift noted that the early layoff day is required by state requirements to complete the professional development hours for all employees.

“We are working hard to support our staff and serve our students during this challenging January,” Swift said. “Cases in the AAPS and in our community remain high, and we are yet to weather this current Omicron spike.”

Beyond virtual Wednesday, all AAPS schools will be open for in-person learning next week, Swift said.

High COVID-19 case counts and staff absenteeism have continued to hamper AAPS’ ability to staff all of its buildings, Swift said. Skyline High School, Pathways to Success and King Elementary School have all spent the past week studying virtually due to staff shortages and have faced criticism from some parents affected by the switch.

Staffing shortages will continue to impact transportation, Swift said, as some transportation routes that are currently suspended will have to be extended for another week.

On Wednesday, Swift said AAPS operates 75 of its 97 transport routes each day. Additional positive cases among transportation workers and a few resignations this week have exacerbated this problem, she said.

“This decision is necessary due to the additional impact of COVID on transportation personnel,” Swift said. “We will continue to monitor this transport situation closely on a daily basis and will work to restore transport routes as soon as we can mobilize healthy and qualified personnel for the service.”

AAPS’ COVID-19 dashboard this week reported 177 cases — 146 students and 31 staff members — marking the highest weekly total recorded during the pandemic, Swift said.

Swift said the district was aware of an additional 37 COVID-19 cases reported this week that were not on the dashboard because they were reported by staff or students who were off campus during their contagious days.

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