4:25 P.M. UPDATE
St. Bartholomew Catholic School announced it will also move to eLearning from Monday to Nov. 24, according to an announcement from Principal Helen Heckman. While community spread was the main reason for the decision, Heckman also listed BCSC bus service among other factors. More than 50 St. Bartholomew students regularly ride BCSC buses and many have no other transportation options, she said.
According to their respective officials, the following schools and school corporations will continue to offer in-person learning:
- Flat-Rock Hawcreek School Corp.
- Columbus Christian School
- ABC-Stewart School
- St. Peter’s Lutheran School
- White Creek Lutheran School
 ORIGINAL STORY
COLUMBUS, Ind. — St. Peter’s Lutheran School in Columbus plans to continue in-person learning despite an announcement from Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. that going to eLearning will mean BCSC buses will not be providing transportation for private school students.
According to a social media post, the St. Peter’s School Ministry Board met Friday afternoon, and after seeking discernment from the Lord and much discussion, the decision has been made that the school will remain open for in-person learning. Students that ride BCSC transportation to and from school will not be able to use this option through Thanksgiving.
St. Peter’s noted that BCSC officials said Friday morning that there were 21 classrooms in the corporation Thursday without a teacher, and 29 classrooms without a teacher today. There were also 23 openings in BCSC’s transportation program making it difficult to staff all bus routes, according to school officials.
For more on how private schools will be handling BCSC’s decision, see Saturday’s Republic.
