Wayne Township School district pushes back 1st day of classes by 2 weeks
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Students enrolled in Wayne Township Schools will not be going back to school as originally scheduled as administrators, educators and staff members prepare for classes during the coronavirus pandemic.
Administrators on Monday changed the start day for in-person classes from July 29 to Aug. 12. They gave parents and students the option of remote learning or in-person classes.
Superintendent Jeff Butts said the district is making sure there’s enough personal protective equipment for the schools, and laptops for families that choose to continue remote learning for the upcoming school year.
Anna Whitely told News 8 she’s been helping her three granddaughters with remote learning while their mother is at work. Whitely said her granddaughters would still be learning from home if it was up to her.
“This COVID is still going around and it’s going around strongly and it’s too soon to open up schools for these little children just to get sick all over again,” Whitely said.
The Wayne Township Schools district has an outlined reopening plan to keep everyone safe at school.
Wayne Township Schools administrators said all staff and students in grades 4 through 12 will be required to wear a mask. Students in kindergarten through Grade 3 will be required to have a mask with them at all times. Hand washing will be encouraged throughout the day, and hand sanitizer will be available. Students will follow a seating chart on school buses, in classrooms and in the cafeteria for social distancing. School meals will include water bottles, and water fountains will only be used to refill the containers. There will be a separate clinic for students showing COVID-19 symptoms who are waiting to be picked up. Visitors will be required to wear a mask and limited to the front office. No volunteers will be allowed to enter the buildings. Families must regularly screen their children for symptoms before sending them to school.
Although some parents tell News 8 they believe kids should go back for social interaction, Whitely said she believes it’s better to be safe than sorry. “I understand there are struggling parents that they have to send their kids to school because they can’t afford day care. Well, that something for people who are struggling, there are help sites out there. Maybe you can talk to a church, or talk to some friends or family members if they’re not working.”
School leaders said they are emailing parents about the change through the ParentSquare private communication platform.