School’s almost back in session, but there’s more than first-day jitters lingering for students, parents, and teachers this summer.
Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. revealed its reopening plan in an executive summary on July 6, which marked exactly one month before the first day of classes.
The corporation plans to reopen on a five-day a week schedule, but will operate under different guidelines determined by categories of COVID-19 spread. The year will begin in minimal/moderate spread, the middle category, which allows buildings to open with modifications. Under this category, families can choose either traditional in-person learning or a remote learning option.
For those planning to attend classes in person, screenings will occur for both staff and students when they enter BCSC facilities. Employees and students are “strongly encouraged” to wear cloth masks, and sanitizing supplies and opportunities will also be provided. The schools will be cleaned and disinfected according to Centers for Disease Control guidance, with frequently-touched areas receiving additional attention.
Giving families the option of online schooling at the start of the year is the correct call by BCSC, as is offering in-person classes.
The corporation has also provided an important outline of how it will keep spread to a minimum through sanitization and social distancing.
One facet of the plan, however, needs more detail.
BCSC should consider requiring masks — when it’s appropriate — for all able-bodied staff and students returning to BCSC facilities to start the school year. As the schools continue to open up, the corporation can slowly ease off the measure as more information on the virus is shared by local and state health officials.
BCSC could provide masks to every staff member and student, and most, or all, of the masks obtained by the schools wouldn’t cost taxpayers a dime.
On July 8, Gov. Eric Holcomb announced that the state would be providing Personal Protective Equipment to K-12 educators and students. Participating public, public charter and private schools across the state will receive a no-cost PPE bundle that includes reusable antibacterial cloth face masks for students (numbers based on enrollment), 500 standard size disposable face masks, 100 two- or four-ounce bottles of hand sanitizer and 10 gallons of hand sanitizer.
The Columbus Educators Association, which represents 475 of BCSC’s 734 teachers, met with BCSC officials last week and requested that both staff and students wear masks.
The corporation will release a detailed plan “containing several pages of additional information focusing on specific topics and addressing the many questions sure to be asked" on Monday. BCSC said they have seen the CEA survey results, and would confer with the teacher’s union and others before the plan is released.
There’s no perfect reopening plan for schools given the current circumstances, but many of the new policies outlined by BCSC offer a solid start. The corporation will need to continue to work with the guidance of the Bartholomew County Health Department and Indiana State Department of Health moving forward to ensure the safest practices.
