Education

The transition from classroom to online learning is creating opportunities for area community colleges donating medical supplies and patient overflow space.

Medical equipment and supplies used for educating future doctors and nurses in community college classrooms are now in the hands of local hospitals. Grand Rapids Community College donating more than 70,000 pieces of medical and personal protection equipment to neighbor Spectrum Health.

“We had filter masks, gloves, disposable gowns, protective eyewear, face shields, bleach wipes.”

Governor Gretchen Whitmer is expected to sign an executive order this week with more details on the state’s plans for schools amid the COVID-19 outbreak. Schools have been closed since March 16th.

The closures keep one and a half million Michigan students at home to help slow the spread of the coronavirus. But with no word on exactly when or if classes will resume. Whitmer says a final decision on whether to close schools for the year is complicated. She says every school district has different resources and different needs.

Area hospitals are preparing for a spike in COVID-19 cases in West Michigan coordinating with area partners adding hospital bed capacity.

Grand Rapids “Medical Mile” neighbors Spectrum Health and Grand Valley State University have been preparing for a public health crisis. A plan 10 years in the making.

Schools have been closed to increase social distancing. But now that kids are home, what rules apply to them?

Most kids want to play with their neighborhood friends and plan playdates. When it comes to the spread of COVID-19, Doctor Sharon Swindell, President of the Michigan Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics says you need to consider that children can transmit disease even if they’re not very sick themselves.

Twenty public school districts across Kent County will continue serving meals. “Sack” type lunch and breakfast will be available for pick-up at more than 25 parking lot sites. Grand Rapids Public Schools will open four sites today adding three more tomorrow.

Kids Food Basket is also continuing providing children living at or near the poverty level sack suppers. It serves more than 8,800 school children attending 52 schools in Kent, Muskegon, Ottawa and Allegan Counties.

“A virus does not stop hunger. A virus cannot stop hunger.”

As the new coronavirus makes its way across the country, and now arriving in Michigan, school officials are doing what they can to protect students from a possible outbreak in West Michigan. At the same time, they’re preparing in case building closures are necessary.

There are a number of college savings plans. The Michigan Education Trust is hosting open enrollment sessions this month across the state. The Michigan Education Trust is the state’s 529 prepaid college tuition plan. It’s operated by the Michigan Department of Treasury.

“And basically, it allows parents to purchase credit hours at today’s cost for the future education of their young person.”

Robin Lott is MET executive director.