Indiana school reopening guidelines

Indiana school reopening guidelines

A big impact... we begin tonight with new guidance for hoosier schools.

The "state of indiana" released a general outline for reopening schools today.

As we explained at five 'clock..

The guidance says schools must understand two key factors: first-- the school's ability to maintain a safe and healthy school environment, and second-- the prevalence of covid-19 in their community.

In other words, decisions on guidelines may vary by area.

Schools here in vigo county are ready with a plan to welcome students safely in the fall.

News 10's dominic miranda explains what officials are taking into consideration.

The 39 page document the school corp received friday morning is called... indiana's considerations for learning and safe schools....or in-class guidance for short.

Vigo county school's communications director bill riley told me....this guidance gives them a lot to think about...but it's not a "playbook" of how to proceed.

He told me what vigo county schools are considering when planning for the safe return to school.

Riley says there's still so many unknowns regarding covid-19 and a lot can change in two months.

He says they are in constant communication with the vigo county health department.

They want to include pediatricians and parents input because covid-19 information changes so rapidly because the guidance from the state isn't...as riley puts it....prescriptive... he says they have been thinking about groups that they are potentially concerned about.

These include staff over 65 or with pre-existing health conditions.

Students with food insecurity or receiving special education.

Extracurricular activities and transportation.

Riley says they have a lot of work ahead internally to see how vigo county's situation fits in with the state's plan.

"a complex host of needs in our community--certainly going to take some time to assess that.

It's our hope i think to offer a flexible solution for our families so everybody can see themselves in our plan."

Riley says later this month, parents should be ready to receive and respond to a survey.

Again, they want input from many different places regarding schools opening back up.

He says we should see a plan to return to school by july.

In terre haute i'm dominic miranda news 10 today, the today, the state health commissioner, doctor kristina box, addressed some of the school guidelines.

She says it's important to keep students together in the same groups whenever possible.

Schools could consider different schedules to minimize students in school buidlings... this could include more remote learning.

Desks should remain in the same direction -- with assigned seating.

Schools may also consider changing bus routes and seating.

Doctor box says there's one very important thing "everyone" should follow.

If you're sick, if someone at home is sick, absoutely if someone at home has covid-19..

You don't come to school.

It's very important because you might not show symptoms, but you may very well carry that to school that to school well carry that to school of course..

News 10 will closely follow the back-to-school