Two universities in Michigan are now each reporting more than 1,000 cases in ongoing COVD-19 outbreaks, according to weekly data released Monday by the state health department. Meanwhile, pre-K-12 schools in West Michigan and the Upper Peninsula are being hit especially hard as those regions remain hot spots for the virus.

“We did do a two-week ‘pause’ with our Houghton County schools, and…this week we’re going to implement a two-week closure with our Gogebic and Ontonagon County schools,” says Cathryn Beer, health officer for the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department. Schools in those counties will be advised to move to virtual learning only, in hopes of reducing transmission of the virus.

Twenty-nine new school outbreaks were reported this week, with all 107 of those cases coming from pre-K-12 schools.

Source: Schools in the UP, West Michigan hit hard by new outbreaks | Michigan Radio

“I think that there are circumstances under which the governor could make the case that there is a new emergency because of an increased spike, ” said Attorney General Dana Nessel.

Source: Could the record-breaking COVID-19 numbers lead to a second shutdown for Michigan?

If you are like me, you know family members and close friends who have had to school their children (and grandchildren) since March. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 93 percent of people living in households with school-age children reported some form of distance instruction is occurring. The pandemic has tattooed remote instruction onto the bodies of millions of students and their families. No one asked for the tattoo but there it is.

I have collected cartoons about parenting during the pandemic. Enjoy!

Source: Cartoons on Parenting During the Pandemic | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice

Betsy DeVos repeatedly insists that the current pandemic A) shouldn’t in any way interfere with the normal operation of public schools and B) makes it “more clear than ever” that school choice must be a thing, toot de suite. The two prongs of her argument belong to two entirely different pitchforks, but many folks with more coherent debate tools have picked up that second point.

Source: CURMUDGUCATION: Did Covid-19 Destroy The Case Against School Choice?

The University of South Florida (USF) has announced the end of their education school due to a $36.7 million university budget cut. The change will save $6.8 million over two years. They’re using the coronavirus as the reason at a time when teachers are struggling to teach students safely. This loss is a bad omen for public schools and a professional teaching workforce, not just for the State of Florida but for the country.

How many more teacher education schools will close? Who will become teachers in the future? Will there be any real teachers in the future?

Source: Closing University Education Schools: A Bad Omen

TEMPERANCE, Mich. — As of Thursday, Smith Road Elementary School will be closed from in-person learning until Nov. 5.

Source: Smith Road Elementary closes for 2 weeks after confirming multiple coronavirus cases | WNWO