Latest Updates Surrounding COVID-19

If your financial status has recently changed due to COVID-19, you may temporarily qualify for free- or reduced-price meals for the first 30 days of the new school year.  Visit www.lunchapp.com to fill out a confidential application. (This will also qualify you to receive the P-EBT benefits described below.)

Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer Program (P-EBT) food assistance benefits will go to Michigan families with students ages 0-26 that are eligible for free- or reduced-price School Meals. This includes families currently receiving Food Assistance Program (FAP) benefits, as well as those not currently enrolled in the program. No application is necessary for eligible families to receive P-EBT benefits.

P-EBT Program Information

Q: When will P-EBT cards be mailed out?
A: P-EBT benefits are being distributed in waves. The first round of benefits for families with active Food Assistance Program cards started last week and will continue to be distributed through the first week of May. The benefit will go to their bridge card. Families that do not have a bridge card will be mailed a P-EBT card. These cards will also be distributed in waves. The first cards start mailing out April 26th and will continue through the middle of May. Instructions are being mailed out for how to use and activate the card. Again, it will take until the middle of May for cards to be mailed out.

Q: Will there be directions on how to use the card?
A: There will be directions mailed about a week ahead of the card. To activate the card, call the phone number on the back of the card. You will need the EBT card number on the front of the card, your zip code, and the date of birth of the oldest child in your household. You will need to set a four-digit pin number.

Q: What address will the P-EBT card be sent to?
A: If the student was already receiving SNAP benefits, they will automatically receive the P-EBT benefits on their current Food Assistance Program (FAP) card. If the student is eligible based on a free- or reduced-price meal application, a new P-EBT card will go to the address in the Michigan Student Data System.

Q: I have multiple school-age children, how much will our family be eligible for?
A: The pre-loaded Pandemic-EBT card will come in the mail and will be in the oldest school-aged child’s name, not the parent’s name. Keep the card for ongoing benefits you may receive. The benefit amount for March/April is $193.80 per child and will be available by the end of April. The benefit amount for May/June is $182.40 per child and will be available by the end of May.

Q: What if I have more questions about the P-EBT card?
A: For more information visit the Michigan Department of Education’s website, or call 1-833-905-0028.

Yes. Links to resources curated to offer high-interest low-stress ideas that families may choose to use with their children, in addition to the learning opportunities they are receiving from their teachers, are available online. The goal is to offer new optional ideas and resources for students and families weekly.

We are all concerned about the loss of face-to-face learning for our own students and those across our state and country. Forest Hills Public Schools believes in providing instruction that is grounded in evidence. We know that learning through direct instruction, social interactions, inquiry, and authentic problem-solving provide the best learning outcomes for learners of all ages. 

With schools closed through April 12, our first instructional priority is to ensure that students and families are connected with their teachers whether by email, phone, Google for Education apps (or other platforms and tools teachers may already be using). By now, students and families should have received communications from teachers and principals regarding the communication strategies that will be used in each school. If you have not received communication, please reach out to your principal as it is possible that we have incorrect contact information for you.

While it can be difficult to introduce new concepts and learning topics in the absence of direct and in-person instruction, teachers will strive to provide important and engaging learning recommendations for students to deepen learning by reviewing, reinforcing, and practicing previously taught essential learning standards. The goal of these activities will be to support and deepen learning and to offer students opportunities to pursue personal learning interests. Students and families are encouraged, but not required, to follow the recommended learning activities that their teachers are sharing with them. To support those wishing additional enrichment opportunities for exploration at home, FHPS will be curating learning resources to share on a weekly basis. Stay tuned for more information.

Depending on the age and learning preferences of students, online platforms can be useful for practicing, exploring, and learning; but they can never replace the expert, in-person instruction FHPS teachers provide on a daily basis. Many online providers are offering standards-aligned resources, free of charge, for use during school closures to supplement learning for families who wish to access them. Khan Academy is a provider that offers extensive resources for students in grades 6-12, as well as a growing number of resources for grades K-5. Click here for suggested daily schedules for learners of all ages. 

We share the worries and challenges all families are facing while we grapple with the unexpected loss of face-to-face learning time with our students. Please be assured that your children’s teachers, principals, and the entire FHPS staff are working hard to continue to support them. As your partners in education, we are frustrated that we are not able to serve our students with face-to-face learning in our classrooms. Our staff will continue to share at-home learning opportunities for students and families while we follow guidelines and recommendations from the Michigan Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Education to keep school closed.

Your support and understanding are appreciated. We are so grateful for a school community that is committed to supporting our students during this unprecedented and challenging time.

Yes. The school buildings are closed, but learning continues.

In March, each school principal communicated with families their dates and times the school was open to get personal belongings. Now that those dates have passed buildings remain closed. Principals will communicate at a later date the schedule to retrieve additional belongings.

Yes, the administration building is closed to the public. If you have questions, you are encouraged to use email. A staff directory is available online.

Thank you for offering. At the present time, FHPS is all set with matters as it relates to food distribution, online learning, and more. We are so thankful and grateful to our community and we will not hesitate to ask if there’s anything we need our community to do. Stay well and be healthy.

All school-related activities, practices, and events have been canceled until further notice. This also includes events and activities at the Forest Hills Fine Arts Center and Community Services and Aquatics Center. School athletic decisions are being made by the Michigan High School Athletic Association. Here is their announcement dated April 8, 2020.

Commencement ceremonies for FHC, FHN, and FHE have been postponed. A rescheduled date is still to be determined.

At the present time, we have not received information from the state regarding whether or not there will be any flexibility to the requirements pertaining to days and hours of instruction. This will be an issue all public schools will be watching closely.

Our employees throughout the district are monitoring emails to serve our families. We have an online staff directory and department listings and we encourage you to use email. Please be patient as it may take us longer to respond to inquiries.

Stay at home and contact your personal health care provider for health concerns or primary care physician. While Spectrum Health is offering free virtual screenings, if you are sick, do not automatically assume you have COVID-19. Screening is specifically for individuals in the state of Michigan who have COVID-19 symptoms and may be concerned they have the virus. With this initial screening, Spectrum can help prevent the spread of infection, while offering an easy and convenient option for community members to be assessed. Callers to a hotline number (616-391-2380) will be scheduled for a free virtual screening visit through Spectrum Health Now.

Currently, the district has soap and hand sanitizer available when students and staff do return to school. We do have Electrostatic Sprayers that can clean a classroom in a matter of minutes. Our custodial staff is cleaning and disinfecting all the buildings so we are ready for the return for students and staff.

Our transportation department is doing its part by disinfecting buses so we are ready for the return of students.

Yes. To help support our students and families, the district has distribution times for technology devices. Please see the news post regarding this. As for instruction, students and families should be receiving emails from their teacher(s) as to ways they are supporting their students’ continued learning, enrichment, discovery, and/or exploration.

All of the paperwork and forms needed for enrollment in kindergarten are located online. At the very least, complete the online pre-enrollment form. As for returning the forms and presenting the additional required documents, please wait until schools are open or until the district announces other arrangements.

Many answers can be found online on our website under Schools of Choice. Specific questions should be emailed to soc@fhps.net.

If you have additional questions for Forest Hills Public Schools, please email your questions to us. We will update this page with additional answers to questions we receive from our community.