HOPE — Flat Rock-Hawcreek School Corp. board members unanimously approved a revised plan to resume classes in Hope-area public schools.
While the 2020-21 re-entry plan for Hauser Jr.-Sr. High and Hope Elementary schools examined Tuesday is essentially the same document made public over a week ago, there were some minor changes, Superintendent Shawn Price said.
Administrators “completely expect to have to modify and adapt this plan as we move forward,” Price said. “We will continue to make the necessary changes and updates to ensure that our schools are as safe as possible.”
One new change concerns situations where social distancing of 6 feet or more cannot be maintained. That includes on school buses, during morning arrivals and afternoon dismissals, walking in hallways during passing periods and during approved collaborative classwork, Price said.
While the initial policy stated students and staff will be “expected” to wear their facial coverings under those conditions, board members approved changing the word “expected” to “required.”
With about 50% of the enrollment process now completed, Price said nearly 10% of currently-registered families have chosen the full-time virtual option, rather than the traditional in-person campus instruction. Administrators are projecting that by the time the enrollment process is completed, up to 15% of all students will be taking online courses from home.
At-home learning will be more strenuous than it was last spring, Price said, and will provide “a level of rigor and expectation comparable to that of the traditional classroom.”
The evolving re-entry plan already contains what board president Patrick Walters describes as “hot-button issues,” which prompted him to make a heart-felt plea to his community.
“There are a lot of topics (in this plan) that people have problems with, and plenty of folks have politicized this a lot,” Walters said. “For your children’s sake, please — please — please try to keep a positive attitude toward what we’re asking.”
Another change approved Tuesday by the board is that school cafeterias will not be accepting cash payments for meals.
The superintendent also said he anticipates asking the school board to approve the use of face shields, rather than masks, under certain situations. He also said that Nebulizer masks, which are often used to deliver medication, will not be used on campus without a valid health reason.
In recent weeks, there has been much discussion regarding recess for Hope Elementary students, Price said. While students will be asked to wash or sanitize their hands before and after recess, they will not be required to wear masks while playing outdoors, Price said.
However, students will be required to maintain social distancing, and the playground equipment will be disinfected up to two times every day, the superintendent said.
Students returning to campus should expected fewer entry points into the building, Price said. Quick health screenings will take place before a student is allowed on a school bus or into their school, he added.
Price said any person who is remotely showing any symptom of COVID-19 are being asked to stay home.
Although school officials are now working to finalize a quick screening guide that will be available for distribution prior to the start of fall classes, the superintendent will ask all parents to go over the guide, including screening questions, and monitor fevers prior to sending their child to campus.
All students or employees who have recently had contact with a person with a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19, or has someone living with them being tested for the virus, should be prepared to be asked to self-quarantine for two weeks, the plan states.
While Price said changes and precautions “might not be ideal for all parents,” Walters said the only way for those in the Hope-area to get the COVID-19 virus under control is to approach the situation as a team.
For those parents who feel the schools might be going too far, Walters reminded them local officials are considering a proposal to make the wearing of masks mandatory in all indoor facilities for all 84,000 Bartholomew County residents.
“Please work with us, be patient with the administration and staff, and understand that things can — and very likely will change,” the school board president asked the public. “Let’s support each other, and we will get through this.”
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Highlights from the Flat Rock-Hawcreek School Corp. school reopening plan:
- Two masks will be provided to all students and staff that must be accessible each day. While the masks will not be required at all times, there will be specific situations that require them.
- Desks will be spaced 6 feet apart when possible and will all face the same direction, with a limit of 23 students per class. Only essential furnishings will be allowed in classrooms so that there is space for students to spread out.
- Lockers will not be issued in order to promote social distancing. Small backpacks will be allowed in the classrooms.
- Daily screenings of all students and staff should be expected, with anyone experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 and/or a fever over 100 being sent home until they are free of symptoms and have not had a fever for 72 hours without taking fever-reducing medicines.
- Students should expect assigned seating where possible to aid in contact tracing.
- Enhanced cleaning procedures will take place throughout the building and grounds, including classrooms, playgrounds and locker rooms. Additional hand sanitizer stations will be installed. Time will be built into the school day to promote proper handwashing.
- Social distancing will be practiced when possible.
- Visitors and guests will not be permitted in the building for any reason not deemed essential.
The entire re-entry plan can be found online at flatrock.k12.in.us
For additional information, call 812-546-4922.
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