BCSC Public Statement
re: Reopening School 7/8/2021
Need Help With Accessibility or Translation? ¿Necesita ayuda con la accesibilidad o la traducción?
BCSC Public Statement re: Reopening School 7/8/2021
BCSC Staff Members, Students and Families:
I hope you are enjoying your Summer Break and have been able to find time to rest, relax, and rejuvenate following a challenging school year.
One year ago this month, prior to this past school year, we presented to you a draft of a reopening plan summary that outlined our risk mitigation strategies for COVID-19. Additionally, we solicited your feedback regarding the draft’s content AND attempted to gauge families’ interest in possible virtual school options.
As we edge closer to our first scheduled student day of this next school year and continue to digest COVID-19 related information provided to us by the Indiana State Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control, as well as consult locally with Columbus Regional Health and the Bartholomew County Health Department, we again come back to you with a draft of a COVID-19 related reopening plan. We have already had a lot of public commentary on the topic of reopening, including formal comments during School Board meeting and shared emails, phone calls, and social media posts. It is our hope that you will review this plan, currently available on our website, all BCSC social media sites, and local media outlets, and provide us with your thoughts.
2021-2022 Reopening Plan - Feedback
Feedback from our stakeholders will be used to determine what revisions, if any, are necessary for the plan prior to its being formally recommended to our School Board members for approval.
As you may know, as of July 1, the use of face coverings in schools are no longer required in Indiana and, as per Governor Holcomb, “local school boards are now responsible for whatever measures and restrictions are deemed necessary and prudent to address the impact and spread of COVID-19 for their buildings, facilities, and grounds...” Regarding face coverings, we are currently recommending that their use be optional for all staff members and students. They are highly encouraged for those at risk and/or not vaccinated.
On Monday, July 19, a presentation regarding reopening will be given to our School Board members during their regular monthly meeting. The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m., will be held in the Administration Building Terrace Room, and can be viewed on BCSC’s Youtube Channel. Please make sure to subscribe to our YouTube Channel so that you will be notified when we are live.
Hopefully, this next school year will feel a lot more normal than the last.
Thank you for your support of BCSC.
Jim