IPS Unveils Back to School Plan
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe state’s largest school district has unveiled its plan to reopen schools for the upcoming academic year. Indianapolis Public Schools says it made the decision to open schools August 3 after reviewing guidance from federal, state and local leadership on minimizing the spread of COVID-19.
The district has implemented a number of safety protocols for students participating in full-time, in-person learning, as well as those opting for full-time remote learning.
For in-person instruction, the district says all K-12 students and staff will be required to wear masks. Teachers will be provided face shields to allow for better comprehension while teaching. Schools will implement mask breaks throughout the day and students will be provided one reusable mask.
All schools will be required to implement social distancing protocols, including classrooms, hallways, restrooms, cafeterias, offices and playgrounds.
Other protocols include:
- Individually wrapped/prepackaged meals will be served in cafeterias due to food safety and staffing. Times will be staggered to ensure proper social distancing. Students in Grades K-8 will eat meals inside classrooms. Student in Grades 9-12 will eat inside school cafeterias.
- Schools will be equipped with touchless water fountains. Students will also receive a district-issued water bottle to keep at school. Manual water fountains will be turned off or blocked.
- Recess will still take place outside and social distancing will be maintained. In some instances, only one homeroom will be on the playground at a time.
- Masks will be required on school buses. Additional walk zones — with crossing guards — are being established to decrease the number of students on buses.
- School nurses and trained staff will also be on-site at all schools to screen students and staff who may be displaying COVID-19 symptoms. All IPS buildings will have a designated isolation room, and self-reporting and school-based reporting protocols have been created.
IPS says students who are unwilling or unable to return to school for full-time, in-person learning, they may opt for full-time remote learning, which will also begin August 3.
The district says families that choose the e-learning option will be required to fill out and submit a Full-Time Remote Learning Opt-In Form, the deadline for which is July 17.
Each student taking the option will receive an iPad or Chromebook to support remote learning. Families who do not have internet access will receive a mobile hot spot device as well. Additionally, IPS says all students and staff will be ready to transition to full remote learning on short notice, even if they opted for in-person instruction.
You can learn more about the district’s plan by clicking here.
IPS Superintendent Aleesia Johnson will appear on this weekend’s edition of Inside INdiana Business with Gerry Dick to talk about the plan.