Indian Creek discusses return scenarios, eyes Aug. 19 start date
Trending
MINGO JUNCTION -- The Indian Creek Board of Education approved a preliminary plan to re-open its buildings this fall with potential scenarios based on the course of COVID-19 spread in the community.
Officials met Thursday at Indian Creek Middle School and approved a schematic for the 2020-21 year which includes three scenarios. Leaders are planning an Aug. 19 start date but said the plan's delivery will be largely determined by state risk-level guidelines for the public.
The first scenario would be used if Jefferson County would be categorized as Levels 1 and 2, or yellow and orange, and would provide face-to-face instruction with an online option for parents or students who are not comfortable with returning to school.
Safety precautions would include health checks with temperatures taken at home and on the bus before school; required face masks for staff and students; physical distancing of 6 feet when possible; hand sanitizer in classrooms; cleaning supplies to sanitize work areas; expanded lunch room space; grab-and-go breakfast meals; no shared student supplies; no lockers; one-way hallways when possible; no field trips; and no large group student events.
Additionally, supplies will be provided for grades K-4. Students or parents who would be uncomfortable with classroom learning would be able to use the online option with pupils using Indian Creek Remote Learning 2.0. Once enrolled, those in grades 9-12 must remain online through Dec. 31, and students in grades K-8 must be enrolled online until Jan. 15. After either is completed, students have the opportunity to return to the classroom or remain online for the rest of the school year.
The second scenario involves a hybrid model used at Level 3, or red. At that point, only 50 percent of children would be able to attend a school building to allow for a reduced number of pupils while providing a combination of in-person and online learning. All students would attend in person two days per week and three days on alternating weeks, and would work at home on assignments or tasks assigned during the in-person days.
Students will be placed into Groups A and B based on last name and households.
Should the county reach Level 4, or purple, the district will transition to remote learning and students will learn from home.
Remote Learning 2.0 involves online learning through Google Classroom, Microsoft Teams, Zoom and standard district curriculum online and differs from Remote Learning 1.0, where an emphasis was on suggested practice. Remote Learning 2.0 teaching and learning will continue at high levels and the expectations will be the same as if students were in the classroom.
"The board did pass a plan for restarting for the 2020-21 school year. A lot will be handled at the building level and we know we have challenges (with wearing masks) because of the heat in some buildings," school district Superintendent T.C. Chappelear said.
"We might have distance learning on some days because kids can't wear masks in 90-degree weather," Chappelear added. "We look forward to working with the teachers and staff and we know it's an unprecedented time. Our teachers worked harder than ever to prepare for online instruction this year. It's hard to be excited about it because it's a difficult situation, but I'm proud of our teachers and staff."
The superintendent said a plan had to be approved on a policy level but still needed some fine tuning, and a video will be released to parents with more details while leaders will continue to monitor the situation.
In related news, ICMS Principal Holly Minch-Hick credited her teachers with attending a recent learning cadre about online instruction and said they were preparing for classes no matter the scenario.
The board also approved a one-year extension on its current contract with the Indian Creek Education Association. Leaders agreed to roll over the bargain agreement with the teacher's union and ICEA President Karen Lloyd thanked administrators for previously taking a salary freeze in solidarity with the teachers.