December 17, 2020

Dear Independence Local Schools’ Families,

I wanted to send you our tentative in-person return plans for January. We all want our students back in school. We also realize infection rates can fluctuate and holiday gatherings may affect these fluctuations and our planning. As of now, our plan is to begin the week of January 4 with remote instruction for the first days and to have a modified return to in-person instruction on Thursday, January 7 and Friday, January 8. These days will look similar to our September opening, with half of our students attending Thursday and the other half Friday. You will be receiving further instruction on these modified days from your principal. During these days, students will spend time reconnecting with their teachers and reviewing health and safety protocols. We also will be reviewing the importance of our daily health assessments. Students should not report to school or their classrooms until their temperatures are taken and questions are reviewed. We need our parents to continue to be our partners in a healthy return by completing these assessments at home and submitting the information via the health app before their students board the bus or their ride to school. Only very healthy staff members and students should attend school. I will send more information about the increased emphasis on these health assessments early in the week we are set to return. All students will then be in session Monday, January 11 and our in-person instruction will be in full effect.

I would also like to remind you of the opportunity to change your student(s) educational option for the second semester - either to in-person, or to the I-Pride Academy all-virtual. You only need to complete the survey if you want to change your student(s) education option; no need to complete the survey if you wish for the same model he or she is currently enrolled. The survey below will close tomorrow (Friday, 12/18) at the end of the school day.  
As we approach what I truly believe is the most wonderful time of the year, I hope you are healthy and happy and your family is experiencing many blessings. 


Enjoy this holiday message below from your
administrative team at the Independence Local Schools!
Happy Holidays and see you next year,

Sincerely,

Ben Hegedish
Superintendent
Independence Local Schools
7733 Stone Road
Independence, OH 44131