Panther Connection

Each week, Mid-Michigan superintendents and leaders tune into a weekly call with Dr, Morse, Mid-Michigan District Health Department (MMDHD) Medical Director. Dr. Morse updates us on data, research, cases, and methods to safely keep our students in school. While the practices change and methods are updated to fit the latest information, the goal is always the same for us here at DeWitt Public Schools: maximize full face-to-face instruction safely.  While being back at full capacity limits and makes social distancing challenging. Students and staff work to promote these practices. In addition, while in high transmission levels, staff and students are universally masking. Handwashing is promoted and practiced, and we ask all staff and students to stay home when they are sick.  Other mitigation strategies include cleaning, ventilation, and encouraging those who can be safely vaccinated, to do so.  We have been getting some questions on quarantines and how they are determined. While these p

Attending my first home #DeWittPanthers football game was quite magical. The entire evening I was filled with the emotions of pride, loyalty, and community--what it means to be a DeWitt Panther. I started my experience at the DHS Athletic Hall of Fame banquet. I am so very impressed with the experience the committee put together for this year’s inductees. Meeting some of the inductees, especially some of the football players and their families from the 1969 graduating class--some of them not seeing each other for 50 years. The magic really started when the coach walked into the room. The program, committee, experience, and legacy of this program put me in the best mood as I walked the path from the high school where the event took place to the stadium. The campus was alive. Tennis players were finishing up matches and families were lining up to head into the stadium and many were on the sidewalks waiting for the band to march by them. You could hear the band coming from the high school

DeWitt Public Schools is a great place to teach, learn, and serve. Just ask anyone in the district. From my short time here, I am so impressed with the commitment to our students and the collaborative environment. Even with this being the case, we are not immune to the teacher and workforce shortage that is happening all over the state and around the country. To be able to continue to provide excellent education and to support our students through the academic recovery needed from the last two years, we need all of our supports in place. Our goals are not only to maximize full, in-person learning, but we are also tasked with providing an excellent education with quality instructors and supports. We are not only down 3 full-time teachers (two at the DHS and one at Schavey), we are also down 15 paraprofessional supports and aids across the district. Leaders and teachers know and understand the importance of these supports and value our paraprofessionals and aids. In addition, we have ope