CHARLOTTESVILLE — The Eastern Hancock school district has announced changes to instruction in light of rising COVID-19 numbers throughout its buildings and the county.
The decision comes a few days after Hancock County’s COVID-19 status rose to orange, indicating moderate to high community spread.
“Hancock County Health Department has received very strong recommendations from the Indiana State Department of Health, that, while our county remains in the orange color code status of COVID-19 virus activity, schools enter a hybrid or virtual learning model for middle school and high school,” Eastern Hancock said in a message issued Saturday.
Eastern Hancock’s middle and high school recorded four student COVID-19 cases Thursday evening and Friday, along with the quarantine of three teachers and almost 75 students, the message continues.
Due to the recommendation and trends, the district’s grades seven through 12 will move to virtual instruction Monday, Nov. 16 through Tuesday, Nov. 24 — the last day of school before Thanksgiving break. Middle and high school staff will continue to report to school each day.
Grades seven through 12 will move to hybrid instruction Monday, Nov. 30 through Friday, Dec. 11. Students will be divided into two groups and attend school in person on alternating days.
Preschool through sixth grade will continue attending school as normal for the coming week (Nov. 16 through 20). Elementary school teachers will prepare for a virtual instruction period to follow, which will be the two days before Thanksgiving break — Nov. 23 and 24. Staff will report to school on those days.
Preschool through sixth grade will then have optional virtual instruction Nov. 30 through Dec. 11. Parents will be surveyed to determine how many will opt for virtual instruction.
“Parents who have the ability to secure daycare for their children will be encouraged to do so and virtual instruction will be provided,” the message states. “Parents who do not have childcare options may continue to send their children to school. This model will allow for significant social distancing to protect staff and students while preventing parents from having to choose between staying with their child or going to work.”
Both Essential Skills classes will meet every day, according to the message.
School athletic practices and competitions will continue, and attendance will be limited to student participants’ immediate family or two adults. Siblings must stay seated with parents. Eastern Hancock athletic facilities won’t be available to outside youth leagues and other groups until at least Dec. 13.
Principals will communicate more specifics to staff and parents. The district’s technology help desk will remain available. Bus service will continue. Lunches will be provided to virtual students upon request, and a survey will be sent out to parents.
“Two days of virtual instruction prior to Thanksgiving will hopefully give staff and families increased peace of mind entering the holiday,” the message states. “Long-term virtual instruction is inferior to in-person instruction. Hybrid/choice arrangements allow for greater social distancing, fewer people caught up in contact tracing, and a greater sense of safety.”
The district will reevaluate the matter at Thanksgiving and before Dec. 11, according to the message.
For the full message, visit Eastern Hancock’s website.
