Local public schools begin class this week, with many families and teachers doubtless hoping for a more normal year than the last two.
The Flat Rock-Hawcreek School Corp.’s first day is Thursday, and students in the Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. return on Friday.
With that in mind, here’s a rundown on tips, rules and reminders for the 2020-21 school year.
COVID-19 protocols
BCSC’s COVID-19 reopening plan was approved by the school board on July 19 and can be found at bcscschools.org. No changes have been announced since then.
Flat Rock-Hawcreek released a draft plan that week, which can be viewed on its website. Superintendent Shawn Price said this is the plan they’re going with for Thursday, and the reason it’s labeled “draft” is because It could change at any time with new guidance and new data.
“It will remain that way throughout,” he said. “Nothing new has been released at this point, no changes are being made at this point. … We have a series of both internal meetings this week, as well as some follow-ups with officials from the health department and looking at the data that’s coming from the Indiana Department of Health. So we’re going to continue to have discussions all week long before we start school on Thursday.”
Both schools’ plans state that they worked with local health officials to create their protocols and will adjust these guidelines as needed based on changes related to COVID-19.
Masks
Both school corporations have made masks optional for students and staff in most situations, with the exception of school buses. Masks are currently required on buses due to a federal mandate.
Flat Rock-Hawcreek’s draft plan also requires that students and staff wear masks when they visit the health office.
Last week, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced their recommendation that masks be worn indoors by all teachers, staff, students and visitors to schools, regardless of vaccination status.
At this time, neither school corporation has announced a change.
Virtual options
BCSC has a K-12 online option through its Columbus Virtual Pathway, and enrollment is still open, said pathway director Josh Giebel. After the first day of school, anyone wishing to join will need to contact Geibel to discuss enrollment.
More information, as well as Giebel’s contact information, is available at bcscschools.org/cvp. Enrollment is a minimum of one semester, and requests can be made to transfer at semester breaks.
For Hauser, virtual options will be done “on a case by case basis,” and families should speak to Principal Kris Fortune if they are seeking this option, said Price.
Hope Elementary Principal Jessica Poe said that Hope Elementary does not have a virtual option.
Symptoms and screening
Superintendent Jim Roberts said a recent board meeting that the school corporation is not longer requiring temperature checks upon entry to school buildings. Flat Rock-Hawcreek’s draft plan likewise states that the school corporation is suspending temperature checks.
However, both school corporations advise that parents should screen their children for COVID-related symptoms prior to sending them to school.
Parents should use Indiana Department of Health screening guidelines, and a link is included in the reopening plans. These guidelines include watching for a fever, sore throat, cough or shortness of breath, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, headache and new loss of taste or smell.
Positive cases and contacts
For BCSC, contact tracing will be conducted for individuals within 6 feet. Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 will report their results to the school nurse, and contact tracing will be initiated with a 10-day quarantine. However, this is not necessary if a contact is fully vaccinated and free of symptoms.
According to Director of Health Services Kelli Thompson, anyone sent home from school with COVID symptoms is required to have a negative test or a note from their health provider with an alternate diagnosis to return to school.
Per Flat Rock-Hawcreek’s draft plan, staff and students are required to report any known cases of COVID-19. Individuals who are sick should stay home and report any COVID-related symptoms to district nurse Lori Kistler.
Contact tracing will be conducted for individuals within 6 feet of a positive case for more than 15 minutes during a 24-hour period, and close contacts will be notified personally. However, the school corporation will not require every close contact to quarantine.
“A quarantine may be required if the person is known to have direct contact with the positive case or the district’s positivity rate increases rapidly,” the plan adds.
Buses
According to BCSC Director of Operations Brett Boezeman, routing information is posted on BCSC’s website under the transportation section. Parents should have received a text message on July 30 with their student route details.
Parents with questions about their child’s route should call the child’s school. If parents have changes that need to be made, they should call the transportation office at 812-376-4246.
New BCSC school buses have stop arm cameras installed, and the prosecutor has agreed to process those who violate stop arm laws, starting Friday.
Furthermore, police agencies around the state are increasing patrols to protect students, watch for stop-arm violations and spot reckless driving at bus stops or school zones.
In Indiana, it is illegal for motorists to pass a bus that is stopped, with red lights flashing and the stop arm extended.
This applies on all roads, with the exception of motorists who are on a highway divided by a barrier, such as a cable barrier, concrete wall or grassy median — those drivers only have to stop if traveling in the same direction as the school bus.
Lori Cravens, an administrative assistant with the BCSC transportation department, said that drivers should be aware of bus traffic. She also advised that families be patient as “some routes have changed due to rider increase.”
She added that parents should review all bus rider rules with their students, and students are required to wear their seat belts.
Price said that bus rider registration is still open for Flat Rock-Hawcreek students.
“If people need bus transportation, we need to know that as soon as possible to make those route adjustments if needed,” he said.
Price added that everyone, regardless of whether they ride, drive or walk, should be “extra vigilant and extra patient” as everyone tries to get back into their school routines. Bus riders will be encouraged to sit with siblings, and assigned seats will be provided.
Social distancing
Per BCSC’s reopening plan, classroom spacing of 3 feet is recommended. Locker use will be allowed but will be “managed to limit opportunities for large group gatherings.”
Flat Rock-Hawcreek’s draft plan stated that, when possible, classrooms will be set up with 3 feet between desks. Students will also be encouraged to keep at least 3 feet of social distance while on campus. Students in grades 7-12 will be assigned lockers. Fortune stated in a back to school letter that students who are uncomfortable with this are allowed to carry a backpack.
Hand hygiene
Both school corporations still encourage frequent handwashing and sanitizing and will provide opportunities to do so.
Visitors
Visitors and parents will be allowed to enter BCSC buildings but are not allowed to join students for lunch.
Per its draft plan, Flat Rock-Hawcreek will also allow visitors, but individuals should not enter the building if they are sick ore experiencing any COVID-related symptoms.
Meals
According to BCSC’s reopening plan, the cafeteria will be used at lunchtime and other “alternate spaces” may also be utilized.
“Individually plated meals will be provided and other strategies also utilized to reduce time waiting in line to the extent possible,” according to the BCSC plan.
Flat Rock-Hawcreek is opening more service lines to prevent congestion and spread kids out in lines. At Hauser, there will be three different lunch periods to help spread students out.
At Hope Elementary, they are only having one grade level in the lunchroom at a time to help with distancing. There will also be assigned seating.
Water
BCSC will sanitize bottle filling stations and water fountains regularly. It is recommended that students and staff use personal water bottles, with filling stations available at each school.
Flat Rock-Hawcreek’s draft plan states that water fountains will be “fully operational,” though each building has a filling station and students are encouraged to bring water bottles. Poe recommended that students bring their own water bottles.
Athletics and extracurriculars
Per BCSC’s reopening plans, IHSAA and the Indiana State School Music Association guidelines will be followed at their respective events. Seating capacities for fall events will be decided by county guidelines.
Other reminders
Price said that if any family is in need of supplies or anything else “to get back to school,” they should call the school offices for help getting those items.
Chanda Welsh, BCSC assistant to the elementary education director, said that school officials recommend students “get regular sleep and eat a healthy breakfast before school each day.”
“Each new school year brings excitement for our students, staff, and teachers,” she added. “Enjoy exploring your new classroom, learning about your new teacher, and getting to know your fellow students. If you have questions or concerns, be sure to speak with your teacher who is there to help you.”
