Washington Township Schools will start school year with virtual classes only
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Washington Township Schools announced Monday that students will begin the school year completely online due to concerns about the coronavirus.
Board members said they believe the decision is in the best interest of students, families, faculty, staff, administration and their families.
“While we understand our continuing responsibility to address students’ educational, social and emotional needs, it is the board’s best judgement that the best course of action in the near term is not to have students return to the classroom, said John Fencl, president of the Washington Township school board.
The district said online classes will begin July 30. That’s the same day students were planning to return to in-person learning.
Charlie Barnes, 10, was ready to sit at his own fifth grade desk when school started this year.
“I’m kind of disappointed,” Barnes said Monday with his mother by his side. “I was excited to see my friends.”
“I understand why they had to do that,” Barnes explained.
The board acknowledged this is a fluid situation and they plan to continue to work to get students back in the classroom.
Barnes’ mother, Kelly, said she supports the decision.
“I think they’ve been doing a tremendous job with the time that they’ve been given and coming up with a plan that best fits our students, our teachers, our community, Kelly Barnes said.
Other parents told News 8 they understand the board decision, but they do not agree.
Monday morning, a Washington Township teacher told me by phone, that she supports the district’s decision.
Fencl told reporters the district will not provide day care services, but food distribution will continue. All in-person, extracurricular activities, including sports, are canceled until further notice.
If your family needs a device to use for virtual learning or a wireless internet hotspot for internet access, the district said they will get those to families.
Washington Township said virtual learning will continue until the district determines otherwise. That will be discussed at each of its upcoming board meetings.
Watch the full news conference from Washington Township Schools. App users can see it online.