Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. announced it will continue eLearning through winter break due to rising COVID-19 community spread.
Jan. 5, the first day of the new semester, is the tentative possible return date for in-person learning, school officials said.
“We will be continually monitoring local data regarding the spread of COVID-19 and make adjustments as necessary,” according to the school corporation’s public statement. “Until then, BCSC will continue to provide meals, special education services, C4 bus hubs and a variety of other services.”
BCSC eLearning students will also have access to iCare at the following elementary schools: Clifty Creek, Schmitt and Southside. the school corporation announced. Online registration is available at bcscschools.org.
BCSC schools moved to eLearning on Nov. 9 due to both increased community spread and the effect that close contacts had on transportation and school staffing. The tentative plan was to return to offering both in-person and remote options on Nov. 30, depending on the level of community spread.
The school corporation said its decision to continue virtual instruction was due both to consultation with “local medical professionals” and the COVID-19 Community Task Force and rising community spread indicators.
According to Thursday’s community spread update from the task force:
There are 98 new positive cases, and the number is increasing (as of Nov. 18)
The per capita rate is 98.2 and increasing (as of Nov. 18)
The percent positive test rate is 31.3% and increasing (as of Nov. 14)
There are 46 COVID hospitalizations, and the number is increasing (as of Nov. 18)
Test turnaround time is 2.8 days and decreasing (as of Nov. 15)
Per capita rate, percent positive test rate and hospitalizations are in the substantial spread category. Test turnaround time is in the minimal spread category.
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Superintendent Shawn Price said that the Flat Rock-Hawcreek School Corp. will also continue eLearning through winter break. He said that the tentative return date for in-person learning is Jan. 5.
"We’ll still continue to monitor the community spread and work with our health department and healthcare officials," he said.
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An eLearning handbook for elementary parents can be found at bcscschools.org. It includes information about eLearning, answers to Frequently Asked Questions and other resources.
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Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. officials are reporting that since Aug. 10, the school corporation has had 206 positive cases of COVID-19.
Out of this number, 127 have been students, 56 have been staff and 23 have been teachers. These totals, announced Friday, include those working or learning remotely.
The cases are as follows, by building:
- Administration: Three staff members (3 total)
- Busy Bees: Two staff, three teachers (5 total)
- Central: Six students, one staff (7 total)
- Clifty Creek: Three students, five staff, three teachers (11 total)
- CSA Fodrea: One student, three staff, one teacher (5 total)
- CSA Lincoln: Five students, two staff, one teacher (8 total)
- CSA New Tech: Five students, one staff, one teacher (7 total)
- Columbus East: 34 students, seven staff, five teachers (46 total)
- ISC: One staff (1 total)
- McDowell/Bright Beginnings: Four students, one staff (5 total)
- Mt. Healthy: Four students, one teacher (5 total)
- Columbus North: 36 students, five staff, four teachers (45 total)
- Northside: Nine students, one staff, one teacher (11 total)
- Parkside: Four students, two staff (6 total)
- Richards: Seven students, one staff, one teacher (9 total)
- Rockcreek: Two staff, one teacher (3 total)
- Schmitt: One student, two staff (3 total)
- Smith: Four students, one staff, one teacher (6 total)
- Southside: One student, three staff (4 total)
- Transportation and maintenance: 12 staff (12 total)
- Taylorsville: Three students and one staff (4 total)
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