Despite calls for a demonstration, the ground outside of DHS laid barren Monday morning. A viral screenshot posted by many students called for a protest at both high schools “to support students staying in person and athletes competing” in response to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s advisement for secondary school closure as a result of a sharp increase in Michigan coronavirus cases, and Superintendent Michael Sharrow’s subsequent decision to pause MPS’s in-person learning and athletics for a two-week period, starting Apr. 13.

Just before midnight Sunday, however, a new round of screenshots infiltrated the likes of Snapchat and Instagram. The image’s source, a Facebook post by Monte Wilder, urged a reverse on previous plans of protest in response to an apparent report that MPS would hold a board meeting to “address many of [their] concerns.”

A letter from the board of education followed, which further backed up its initial decision, yet suggested a sort of compromise on the behalf of athletes, allowing their sports to be paused for only one week should they agree to be tested on Apr. 18. The letter also addressed the mental health of students, encouraging those who feel distressed to reach out to MPS staff. 

The board’s full letter can be read below.