The ICS Leadership Team met late this afternoon to discuss the impact of the recent Nov. 12, 2020 Marion County Public Health Department’s Covid-19 pandemic order as it pertains to schools. As we shared in our most recent communication, Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett and Dr. Virginia Caine, Director of the Marion County Public Health Department, issued an order that due to the increasing Covid-19 positivity rate, all Marion County schools will be meeting virtually, grades K-12, from Nov. 30, 2020, through Jan. 15, 2021. As a reminder, the ICS first semester ends Wednesday, Nov. 25, thus there is no impact on the delivery of our schools' current semester academic models with the exception of our last three days (Nov. 23 - 25) for ICES Hybrid Model students who will complete the semester virtually from home.
Please note that all ICS students will start the second semester on Monday, Jan. 4, 2021, in full virtual learning mode, minimally through Friday, Jan.15 (per the current order). The ICS Leadership Team will send additional schoolwide communication on Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2020, with more specific details regarding the start of the second semester.
Additionally, prior to the release of these new restrictions, it was our intention to launch this weekend the second semester sign-up process allowing parents/guardians to choose their preferred academic model for the second semester. Due to the new order, and our careful approach in our decision-making processes, we will postpone the sign-up, allowing the leadership team to closely monitor further health and safety developments impacting Marion County.
We also wish to share with you that we received notice today of an Irvington Community Middle School staff member testing positive for Covid-19, our first such instance this school year. Contact tracing immediately ensued, and as a result several staff members are now on quarantine. Although we are disappointed by this news, we remain confident in our schools' safety protocol. Further, we are proud of our progress to date as a school community in doing our part to keep our students and staff safe, and in turn, making our contribution locally to reduce the greater impact of the pandemic.
As has been the case throughout this calendar year, we will continue to exercise cautious and deliberate strategy that prioritizes the safety and well-being of students and staff while delivering the best possible educational experience for your student.
As always, please continue to monitor your email, texts and social media alerts for ongoing updates and information. We appreciate your continued patience and support.
Stay safe, Ravens!
