Indiana State Superintendent Jennifer McCormick announced Thursday afternoon that students and employees will not be returning to school for the rest of the 2019-20 school year.
All K-12 schools will deliver remote instruction for the remainder of the school year.
Schools must complete 160 total instructional days or at least 20 more days of remote learning from April 2 until the end of the school year.
By April 17, all schools need to submit for review a plan detailing how the school year will meet the requirements to complete the school year and seek IDOE approval. The plan may include eLearning, extended learning, project-based or portfolio learning, competency-based learning, partnerships with higher education for increased student supports and other similar methods.
Indiana Department of Education officials say further guidance will be released soon.
The full executive order can be read online.
Western Wayne
Information from Western Wayne Superintendent George Philhower
All Western Wayne buildings will remain closed to students and non-essential staff members until further notice. All teachers and administrators will continue to remain available via email.
Personal Items Left at School
We are working on a plan for students to get any personal items they may have left at school. Building principals will send information about this in the near future.
Learning from Home
We are waiting on further guidance for this regarding expectations for student participation for attendance, etc. A plan for continued learning from home for the remainder of the year will be communicated as soon as possible. We will continue to make student (and family)-focused decisions with flexibility and understanding in mind.
Prom and Graduation Commencement
We know that these two events are generating a lot of questions. Obviously, we are not able to have prom on our originally scheduled date. We are committed to doing all we can to hold these events, even if it means doing them late into the summer. We will send updates regarding both of these events as soon as we know more.
Graduation Requirements
Updated graduation requirements for the class of 2020 have been recommended and are being approved by the state board in the coming weeks. We are in the process of reaching out to all students to let them know if there are things they need to do to earn their intended diploma type. As we learn more, we will communicate that with you.
Summer School
Unless we get guidance that contradicts this we are planning to move forward with summer school, even if this means it will be done online. As things progress, we will send more information about summer school.
Breakfast and Lunch- Every Wednesday at Lincoln High School Cafeteria
Breakfast and lunch will continue to be available for all students (K-12) every Wednesday while school is not in session.
Families may pick up a 5-day supply of meals on Wednesdays between the hours of 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM as well as between 5:00 and 6:30 PM. Our pick-up location will be the Lincoln High School Cafeteria. (Food pickup will be drive-thru style between the football field and the cafeteria.)
Parents will be able to pick up 5 breakfasts and 5 lunches each week for each student and will be required to fill out paperwork to help us meet federal lunch program criteria.
If we have delivered food to you in the past, we plan to continue to do so until you tell us to stop. Families who are unable to pick up meals can reply to this email to get added to our delivery list.
Do you need clothing items?
Many clothing items have been donated. If you need clothes, please email Nick Elder at nicholasinmilton@gmail.com. Please let him know the sizes and gender of the clothing you need, and Nick will do his best to help you out.
And One Favor
During this time of uncertainty, I know that anxiety levels are high. I promise that I will try to error on the side of over-communication. I (along with our principals, teachers, and other staff members) will do my best to keep you as informed as possible. Please contact your child’s teacher(s), a principal, or me if you have questions or concerns. I promise we will do our best to help you.
Because this is a very complex situation and seems to change every day, we know there will be problems that arise. Reaching out directly to a school person instead of your social media community is a MUCH more effective way to have issues resolved. Our experience has shown us that Facebook is not a great place for problems to be solved. If there is anything I can do, you can reach me at gphilhower@wwayne.k12.in.us