Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. is updating the community about ongoing steps the school corporation is taking to help students and their families during the coronavirus pandemic.
The following statement was issued by Superintendent Jim Roberts to the BCSC community.
Below is an update on the steps that BCSC is taking to protect the health of our community while ensuring that students have access to the resources they need:
Access to school buildings: For students/parents needing items (electronic devices, books/materials, medications, etc.) from school buildings, each school can be accessed from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, March 23 and Tuesday, March 24 OR by scheduling an appointment by contacting the main office of the building. Individuals must enter through Door 1 only as all other doors will be locked.
The BCSC Administration Building (812-376-4234), Information Services Center (812-376-4513), and Transportation & Maintenance Building (812-376-4246) will remain open by appointment only during the school closure.
Resources for eLearning:
-Teachers will post lesson plan information through BCSC’s learning management system, itslearning, and will be available to interact virtually with students from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. Because kindergarten students are not assigned a BCSC electronic device, kindergarten teachers will communicate activities to families for students to complete.
-Students without a device can retrieve one by visiting their school building between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. on either Monday, March 23 or Tuesday, March 24.
-Students with damaged devices should contact the Information Services Center (812- 376-4513), 2650 Home Ave., between 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to request receipt of a loaner device.
Families without reliable internet access can do the following:
-Submit an application to request a wireless internet hotspot via https://forms.gle/txFDkDrKBSJRs1ng9 or call 812-418-0252. (Currently, there are a limited number of wireless hotspots available.)
-Comcast internet provider is offering a free internet essentials package for those who qualify. Visit https://www.internetessentials.com/covid19 for additional information.
-Additional information about how eLearning days are utilized can be found at https://sites.google.com/bcsc.k12.in.us/bcscelearning.
-Anyone (students, parents, staff members) with additional questions regarding eLearning should call our hotline at 812-418-0252 or email [email protected].
Nutritional resources:
-Meals will be available to students each day starting Monday, March 23 between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Clifty Creek Elementary School, Schmitt Elementary School, Smith Elementary School, and Taylorsville Elementary School in a “grab and go” format to minimize person to person interaction.
Meals will include both lunch and breakfast items and are free to children under the age of 18. Adults may purchase lunches at these sites for $3.50. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Meals will also be available, via BCSC school buses, at the following locations from noon to 1 p.m. within the county:
- Administration Building, corner of 12th Street and Cottage Avenue
- Central Middle School Parking Lot
- Southside Elementary School Parking Lot
- Columbus East High School Parking Lot
- Elizabethtown Library Parking Lot
- Pence Apartments
- Heritage Heights Addition (near main office)
- Candlelight Village
- Driftside Park
- Cambridge Square Apartments
- Mt. Healthy Elementary School Parking Lot
- 9th Street Park
Anyone with questions regarding our distribution of meals can contact our Food Service Department at 812-376-4462.
Other Resources:
School personnel are ready and eager to take phone calls to help meet the needs of students. These individuals can be reached by calling students’ school buildings and include principals, counselors, deans, and mental health providers.
For additional information not addressed in this statement, please contact the BCSC Administration Building at 812-376-4234.
Our schools will continue to serve our students, families, and community as well as possible. We miss our kids and families and want to hear from you. If you need assistance, call our schools or the BCSC Crisis Hotline (812) 379-7710. If you need immediate assistance, please call 911.
Although BCSC is officially closed through Friday, April 3, the evolving nature of this pandemic may result in the need for us to make additional tough decisions, Roberts said. As more information is gathered, we pledge to remain in constant communication as we work to meet the needs of this community, Roberts said.
