By Jana Wiersema
Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. released more details on reopening its schools Aug. 6, including describing the use of face masks as “expected.”
The reopening plan, released at 4 p.m. Monday, provides details for in-person classes as well as options for remote learning.
“From our first public statement regarding reopening, posted on June 11, to now, our intent has been to keep the community informed of our thought processes regarding the potential reopening of schools while gathering information that helps us plan our instructional models more specifically,” said BCSC Superintendent Jim Roberts, in a statement Monday. “This will continue to be our intent as we attempt to provide answers to questions that seem to change each day. Please understand that a model put forth today may not be the model that works for us tomorrow. Our plan remains an active document, with the word ‘DRAFT’ affixed, that will change based upon information provided and the specific local circumstances we must address.”
Since posting last week’s proposal, the school system has been meeting with key community stakeholders, including medical professionals, and has read more than 400 emails with questions, Roberts said.
“For our survey, we had 5,332 responses, or students represented, that appropriately represented all grade levels and school buildings,” he said. “Of these responses, 69% indicated they were returning to a BCSC school building, 15% wished to pursue a BCSC online option, 15% still needed more information, and less than 1% were not enrolling at BCSC at all.”
Roberts said it is BCSC’s expectation that students and staff will wear face coverings.
“We will be modeling that expectation by requiring students and staff to wear face coverings when physical distancing is not possible (ex. awaiting screenings, group activities, hallways, buses),” he said.
Students and staff will be provided with two washable cloth masks. Some individuals may be exempt from wearing masks due to health needs.
For more on this story, see Tuesday’s Republic.
