(STURGIS) – Sturgis Public Schools has put a plan in place for their students to finish out the 2019-2020 school year.

On Thursday, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that she has closed down all K-12 schools for the rest of the current school year, due to the COVID-19 situation. She also tasked all schools in Michigan to use distance learning for their students.

Sturgis Superintendent Dr. Art Ebert announced through a post on the District's website that the Sturgis distance learning model would start on April 13 and end on June 5. The Sturgis distance learning model would have three priorities: care and connection; essential learning; and extended learning.

Ebert says classroom teachers will be e-mailing all essential and extended learning lessons, activities and assessments to each student's Gmail account. Parents and guardians are asked to e-mail your child's classroom teacher if you have any questions about lessons, activities and assessments.

School buildings will be providing opportunities for students to pick up personal belongings that are needed, so that students have essential items for distance learning. These opportunities will be communicated to families by each school building and will happen prior to April 13.

Ebert says the last day of distance learning for seniors will be on May 15. Sturgis Public Schools will hold a graduation ceremony for the Class of 2020, but the date and time will be announced at a later date.

If anyone has questions, they can either call the Sturgis Central Commons, or go to the Sturgis School District website at sturgis ps dot org.