COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Information

TBAISD will use this webpage to provide Public Notice to our school community regarding School Associated Cases of COVID-19. Within 24 hours of being notified of a school associated case by a local health department, this dashboard will be updated to include new and cumulative COVID-19 case counts. Individuals identified as close contacts of a school associated case will be notified separately and directly by their local health department.

Public Notice - COVID-19 Case Reporting (Click here)

Notice of TBAISD Case Reports:

Building	New Cases	Cumulative Cases	Date Notified by Health Dept.
Adult Community Experience Center	0	0
Arnell Administration	0	2	2/18/2021
Arnell East Campus	0	0
Career-Tech Center	0	18	4/22/21
Transition Campus/Life Skills Ctr	0	3	3/29/21
New Campus School	0	3	4/19/21
Oak Park School	2	4	5/4/21
Traverse Heights Center	0	1	12/16/2020

TBAISD Total	2	31

*This data may include probable and confirmed cases as reported by the health department among students, staff, administration, or service contractors/visitors if the person with COVID-19 was in the building or participating in a school-sponsored function during their infectious period. (New cases above are transitioned to cumulative numbers every Friday.)
Last Updated: May 4, 2021

Google Doc COVID-19 Close Contact & Quarantine Information & FAQ

In accordance with state emergency orders and the TBAISD Preparedness and Response Plan, the ISD will initiate communication and reporting procedures immediately upon learning of a probable or confirmed “school associated case” of COVID-19. A school associated case is defined as a probable or confirmed COVID-19 case among students, teachers, school staff members, or any other person who was present on school property or at a school function under circumstances that may result in the transmission or contraction of COVID-19 during their infectious period. The following communication will occur:

The local health department will contact TBAISD within 24 hours of learning the results of a positive or probable school associated case.
TBAISD will immediately support the health department with the contact tracing process upon notification of a probable or confirmed case of COVID-19.
Persons identified through contact tracing as a close contact to someone in the school setting who tested positive for COVID-19 will be contacted directly by their local county health department. The health department will advise those individuals on what steps to take. If you or your family member is not contacted by the health department, you or your student are not identified as a close contact.
TBAISD will communicate with the specific program, building, and school community (set of persons affiliated with the school) of these situations to keep them abreast of all necessary information related to each case. This communication may come via email, phone call, and/or School Messenger.
TBAISD will provide public notice to the school community on the home page of the TBAISD website within 24 hours of being notified by the health department.

Please know that TBAISD will adhere to all confidentiality policies and procedures including Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), HIPPA, and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), therefore specific information may not always be available regarding any particular case.

MDHHS School Outbreak Reporting:

On September 14, 2020, the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (MDHHS) began reporting outbreak information by school building. Data includes K-12, college and universities in Michigan and is collected from 45 local health departments across the state weekly. An outbreak is defined as two or more cases with a link by place and time indicating a shared exposure outside of a household.

The information is posted on Michigan's Coronavirus website linked HERE and is updated each Monday at 3 p.m.

School COVID-19 Procedures

Procedures for COVID-19 Positive Cases and Close Contacts

Students and staff members who have tested positive for COVID-19 or who have been identified as a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 through County Health Department contract tracing efforts will be released to return to school or work, once they have completed their quarantine or self-isolation period. The school district receives information directly from the County Health Department about when students and staff members who are under a Health Department quarantine or self-isolation period may return to school or work. Updated release information is provided to the school district daily.

Procedures for Students Pending COVID-19 Test Results

Students who have been directed by their primary care physician or health clinic to quarantine pending the results of a COVID-19 test are asked to provide a doctor’s note prior to returning to school. The school district is collaborating with area doctors’ offices, school districts, and health departments to help create consistency across medical practices. Many doctors’ offices plan to directly provide the school district a note clearing a patient to return to school as well as provide a copy of the note to the parent/guardian. While not required, providing a doctor’s note before a student returns to school is strongly recommended.

Student/Staff Member Privacy and Confidentiality

Please remember that there are many reasons that students or staff members may not be at school or may return to school after being out. We must all do our part to avoid gossip and speculation to ensure that all students and staff members feel welcomed and supported, especially those who may be absent or who are returning to school after an absence.

Google Doc COVID-19 Close Contact and Quarantine Information & FAQ

2020-21 School Year Overview

Michigan schools are using the Safe Schools Roadmap for a safe, efficient and equitable return to school for 2020-21. The roadmap provides required and strongly recommended safety protocols to keep communities safe, in addition to recommendations supporting mental and social-emotional health, instruction, and operations within each phase of the MI Safe Start Plan. The Roadmap is a framework to ensure these guiding principles:

Equitable access to learning is a right for each child.
In collaboration with parents, students, and teachers, schools will use data and evidence to prioritize resources for each child.
Teachers and staff will prioritize deep, meaningful relationships to create safe learning environments for each child.
Teachers and staff will empower the value, cultivation of relationships, and belonging of student and parent voice in all aspects of learning and emotional support for families.

Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District (TBAISD) works closely with local, state and federal health agencies to monitor the pandemic status in our region to prevent and mitigate infections from COVID-19. We will continue to provide timely communication as factual information is updated by health authorities. Any changes regarding school closures or further information will be shared through our School Messenger communication system, website, and social media.

Thank you for your understanding as we work to keep our community safe and respond to COVID-19.

Government Agency COVID-19 Information & Resources

The following resources are provided by federal, state, and local government and health officials

MICHIGAN RESOURCES
Michigan.gov/coronavirus
Michigan COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboard
MI Safe Start Map
MI Safe Schools: Return to School Roadmap
MI School-Related Outbreak Reporting
MDHHS tips on TRAVELING
MDHHS Celebrating the Holidays During COVID-19
MI COVID Alert - Get notifications if someone you have been near tests positive for the virus

Michigan Department of Health & Human Services
COVID-19 Hotline: 1-888-535-6136 (Daily 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.)

GRAND TRAVERSE COUNTY & REGIONAL RESOURCES
Grand Traverse County COVID-19 Website/ Weekly Updates (gtcountycovid19.com)
Grand Traverse County COVID-19 Information for Schools
Return to School Toolkit
Process for a COVID-19 Case at School

MI DHHS COVID-19 Exposure Infographic

FEDERAL RESOURCES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC official site)
CDC Symptoms of Coronavirus
CDC Contact Tracing Practices
CEC Prevention Information
Stop the Spread of Germs (poster)
Know your Travel Risk
Know When to Delay Your Travel to Avoid Spreading COVID-19

Michigan Executive & Emergency Orders

COVID-19 Orders

MDHHS Emergency Orders

October 5, 2020 - Gathering Prohibition & Mask Order
October 6, 2020 - Reporting of Confirmed and Probable Cases of COVID-19 at Schools

Executive Orders

June 30, 2020 - Provision of preK-12 Education for 2020-2021 School Year (executive order 2020-142)
MI Safe Schools: Return to School Roadmap

April 2, 2020 - Suspending Face-to-Face Learning at K-12 Schools (executive order 2020-35)

March 16, 2020 - Expanding Child Care for Essential Workers (executive order 2020-16)

March 12, 2020 - Temporary School Closure (executive order 2020-11)

Michigan Department of Health & Human Services/County Health Departments

In September, the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (MDHHS) began reporting outbreak information by school building. Data is collected from 45 local health departments across the state weekly. An outbreak is defined as two or more cases with a link by place and time indicating a shared exposure outside of a household.

The information is posted on Michigan's Coronavirus website each Monday at 3 p.m., and will include K-12, college and university school name, address, number of cases and if the cases involved staff, students or both. Students or staff exposed to COVID-19 outside the school building and are not thought to have spread the virus in the school due to quarantine or self-isolation are not included in the data. View full MDHHS press release.

State Health Department Resources:

Michigan.gov/coronavirus

MDHHS Coronavirus website - Michigan Dept of Health & Human Services

Grand Traverse County Health Department
Serving Grand Traverse County

Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department
Serving Benzie and Leelanau counties

District Health Department #10 Coronavirus information
Serving Crawford, Kalkaska, Lake, Manistee, Mason, Mecosta, Missaukee, Newayo, Oceana and Wexford counties

Northwest Michigan Department of Health
Serving Charlevoix, Harbor Springs/Petoskey, Gaylord, Mancelona and Bellaire

School Meal Services

Schools in the five-county Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District region have released food service schedules and distribution plans. Hours of operation and distribution plans vary by school. Click this link for the complete list of School Food Service Distribution Schedules.

Food Pantry Information

Past TBAISD COVID-19 Communications

Whenever the district receives notification of a school-related confirmed case of COVID-19 in a TBAISD student or staff member, we will make every attempt to be as transparent as possible. Due to confidentiality laws and policies, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act, we are not able to provide specific information regarding any particular case.

Individuals will be contacted directly by their County Health Department if they are identified as a close contact with someone in the school setting who tested positive for COVID-19. The Health Department will advise each individual on what steps to take. If you are not contacted by the Health Department, that means you or your child were not identified as a close contact of the person who tested positive.

Outreach to TBAISD Staff, Families & Students

TBAISD Preparedness & Response Plan AND Quick Summary Guide

November 16, 2020 - Letter to TBAISD School Families (Three Week Pause)
October 29, 2020 - Letter to TBAISD School Community (Return to Phase 4)
August 19, 2020 - Letter to School Families (Preparedness Plan/Return to School)
April 3, 2020 - Letter to School Families (Continued Learning)
March 19, 2020 - Support Services Letter to School Families
March 13, 2020 - Letter to School Families and Students
March 13, 2020 - Letter to TBAISD Staff
March 11, 2020 - Letter to ISD Families and Students
February 28, 2020 - Initial letter to school families

Other Resources:

Mitigating an outbreak - Flattening the Curve for COVID-19

Emotional & Mental Health Resources

Mental Health Resources

Michael's Place - Grief support
Phone: 231-947-6453

Third Level Services - Crisis intervention/suicide prevention
24-hour Hotline: 800-442-7315 or 231-922-4800

MI Department of Education: Mental Health Toolkit

National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 800-273-8255

The Trevor Project - Crisis intervention/suicide prevention
TrevorChat: (best accessed from a computer)
24/7 TrevorLifeline: 866-488-7386
TrevorText: text "START" to 678678 (6AM-1AM EST)

Family Assessment & Safety Team (FAST): 833-295-0616 (24/7 Hotline)
Call FAST if:

An individual is experiencing out of control behaviors that place him/herself at risk of harming self or others
An individual is expressing thoughts of suicide
An individual is experiencing severe stress that is resulting in a significant decline in daily and/or family functioning.
You just don’t know what else to do

Social-Emotional Development in Young Children

How to talk to children about COVID-19

Resources to support awareness and reduce fear for children

Countering COVID-19 stigma and racism: Tips for parent and caregivers (NASPonline.org)

Trauma-Informed Response Principles

TBAISD Social-Emotional Remote Toolkit

A Parent Resource - Talking to Children about COVID-19

Videos for Kids:
The Mysteries of Life - Coronavirus, by BrainPOP
Sesame Street Coronavirus Town Hall, with Dr. Leana Wen
Discouraging the Spread of Germs with Elmo and Rosita, in English and in Spanish

Just for Kids: A Comic Exploring the New Coronavirus, on National Public Radio (NPR)

Managing Anxiety and Coping: Check out Child Mind Institute’s Supporting Families During COVID-19 resource guide for parents and their children

Communicating with Children during the COVID-19 Outbreak, from MDHHS

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) COVID-19 Resource - LINK
This resource has social stories and visual supports related to COVID-19 to help students better understand what the virus is, why schools are closed, and how they can stay healthy. These supports can be especially effective with students with disabilities, such as those with complex communication needs or autism.

U of M Department of Psychiatry - Helping Young Kids Through the Coronavirus Crisis

Northwest lower Michigan early childhood resources: 5toOne.org

Childcare Resources

Families who are seeking childcare assistance may call 877-614-7328 or visit www.Greatstarttoquality.org. for additional information.

To find childcare providers who have the capacity to provide care for children of essential workers call 2-1-1 to be routed to someone in our community who can help.

General Community Resources

Northwest Michigan Works! - access this link for resources that support workers, unemployed individuals, and community residents

OK2SAY: https://www.michigan.gov/ok2say

24/7 National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233, or text LOVEIS to 22522 (for survivors & victims)

If you suspect child abuse, contact local law enforcement immediately by dialing 911 or the DHHS Hotline at 1-855-444-3911

Substance Use/Substance Use Disorder recovery support:
https://m.facebook.com/groups/388460735141614?view=permalink&id=492835488037471

Michigan Unemployment Information: 1-866-500-0017
(recent expansion of qualifiers due to COVID-19)
For the fastest assistance submitting claims, go online

United Way of Northwest Michigan: Call 2-1-1 if you or someone you know need assistance with food, housing or financial support. This is also a way to volunteer to help in your community.

Public Transportation: Bay Area Transportation Authority (BATA)

Resources for School Staff

Michigan Department of Education COVID-19 Communications

Health-Related Resources

Preparing for Infectious Disease Epidemics (National Association of School Psychologists)

Brief Action Steps for School Crisis Response Teams (National Association of School Psychologists)

Remote Learning Toolkit

School Employee COVID-19 Grant Information

October 29, 2020 - Notice to School Teachers & Support Staff re: COVID-19 Grant Application
November 5, 2020 - Teacher/Support Staff COVID-19 Grant Eligibility Letter

National Resources for Families

Resources for families seeking assistance

Unemployment Insurance: Find out if you’re eligible to receive unemployment benefits. Here’s how to get started in applying for unemployment benefits in your state
Unemployment Insurance, Paid Sick Leave, Paid Family Leave: If the pandemic has affected your ability to work, find out what national and state benefits you may be entitled to.
Mortgage Assistance: Check out Federal Housing Finance Agency’s information on mortgage assistance for homeowners. If your ability to pay your mortgage is impacted, and your loan is owned by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, you may be eligible to delay monthly mortgage payments for a temporary period. To find out if Fannie or Freddie own your mortgage, you can search your address on here
Access to SNAP: To see if you might be eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, visit the SNAP eligibility and application process page
Immigrant Families’s guide for federal public programs that support individuals and families with health care, cash assistance, food assistance and unemployment assistance.

Resources for families looking for health coverage

Insurance Options: Remember that you can apply for Medicaid and CHIP any time of year — Medicaid and CHIP do not have restricted Open Enrollment Periods. Learn about free or low-cost health insurance options for your family based on your state, household income, and children in the home from insurekidsnow.gov
Options Following Job Loss: New York Times’ Q&A on health insurance, especially for those that have lost their job – Create an account to access free up-to-date information and expert guidance on coronavirus. No subscription required.

Self care and wellness resources for families

Self Care for Caregivers: Visit Zero to Three’s guide on the importance of taking care of yourself