IPS Superintendent: Safety Key to Schools Reopening
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowWhen Aleesia Johnson officially took over as superintendent of Indianapolis Public Schools more than a year ago, she didn’t plan having to adjust her district to a global pandemic. School districts throughout Indiana are trying to figure out what the upcoming academic year will look like and IPS last week unveiled its plan, which includes in-person and remote learning options for students. Johnson says in a recent survey, about one-third of respondents said they’d take advantage of a full virtual learning option.
Johnson talked about the plan and how the district is dealing with the pandemic in an interview on Inside INdiana Business with Gerry Dick.
“During the course of this time, I’ve done a weekly and bi-weekly video to our school community and one of the key things I’ve tried to continue to reiterate is this idea of grace and the grace we need to give ourselves and give others during this time,” said Johnson. “We’re all navigating something we’ve not navigated before and so making sure that we are graceful with one another but also, as it relates to our planning, that we’re being flexible, responsive, keeping the number one priority focused on our students and staff being safe.”
As part of the district’s reopening plan, all K-12 students and staff will be required to wear face masks, while teachers will wear face shields in an effort to provide better comprehension while teaching.
All schools will be required to implement social distancing protocols, including classrooms, hallways, restrooms, cafeterias, offices and playgrounds.
“We’re also looking forward to having additional bus monitors who will be able to ride along with the driver to do things like ensure we have assigned seats for students on busing, that students are spreading out on the bus.”
Johnson says there is obviously a cost involved with implementing these measures, but luckily additional funding has been made available.
“The CARES Act…will give all districts access to some additional federal funding specific to supporting the cost related to responding to COVID-19 in schools so we’re thankful for that additional funding. We also know we have a pretty generous philanthropic community in Indianapolis. Certainly, they’ve been supportive through these times. Specifically, the Indianapolis E-Learning Fund launched to support all public schools with technology needs. The IPS Foundation is a great partner of the district and they’ve launched the IPS Education Equity Fund.”
Johnson says the district has reached the $15 million mark for purchases made to support students and staff, a number that continues to grow.
The superintendent adds families wishing to take the remote learning option for the upcoming school year have until Friday to opt in.