The public school district of Detroit, Michigan, said it will shift to online instruction for three Fridays in December, citing concerns over COVID-19 cases, mental health, and school cleanliness. In a Nov. 17 statement announcing the change, the Detroit Public Schools said classes will move online on Dec. 3, Dec. 10, and Dec. 17. The district, which serves over 49,000 students, will begin winter recess on Dec. 20. Superintendent Nikolai Vitti said in the statement that he and the school board made the decision “after listening and reflecting on the concerns of school-based leaders, teachers, support staff, students, and families regarding the need for mental health relief, rising COVID cases, and time to more thoroughly clean schools.” Vitti urged parents to make sure that their children show up online on those three days, otherwise the district may lose a portion of funding it receives from the state for failing to …