LAFAYETTE –Beginning March 16, all three public school districts in Tippecanoe County —Lafayette School Corp, Tippecanoe School Corp. and West Lafayette Community School Corp. —will close in an effort to help prevent the spread of coronavirus, labeled COVID-19, school officials said Friday.
The three districts will observe an extended spring break and resume classes April 1, using remote delivery methods — meaning children will not be in classrooms.
Spring break for students in each district will be two weeks, running from March 16 to March 31.
“This decision was paramount to ensure the safety and well-being of students and the community,” Rocky Killion, West Lafayette superintendent, said.
Beginning April 1, the schools will start remote learning, meaning students will not be in the classroom. That will last through at least April 3, with an updateprovided to parents prior to April 3 about what will come after that.
As of Friday morning, there are no confirmed coronavirus cases in the county. ButTippecanoe County Health Department declared a public health emergency on March 6.
The districts' decision comes after dozens of districts across Indiana closed. In West Lafayette, Purdue University announced earlier this week that it would move to online classes on March 23, the day after spring break, though the campus would remain open.
Here is how the closure of schools and e-learning will take place.
Lafayette School Corp.
All LSC students will go to school via e-learning, which will begin March 31 through at least April 3.
Part of the planning has been an attempt to identify local places in the community that offer free WiFi for students who may not have access to WiFi or electronic devices at home. LSC Superintendent Les Huddle said adjustments for students will be made based on need, which could include hard copies of work, if necessary.
“No student will be penalized because they don’t have access,” Huddle said.
All LSC events, including before and after school care have been canceled.
Huddle said LSC is working to ease regulations to be able to provide both breakfast and lunch options. He said parents will be alerted if such options become available.
During the closure, schools will not be open, with only essential staff working.
Teachers will have a working day March 30 to finalize plans for e-learning, Huddle said.
Tippecanoe School Corp.
TSC will observe spring break from March 16 to 31. The schools will be open during normal school hours with limited staff March 16 and 17 to give families the opportunity to retrieve items they may need for extra time off, including personal belongings and medication.
All school-related activities, extracurricular events and practices are postponed until further notice.
TSC will use e-learning for all students. Teachers will make accommodations for all students who do not have reliable internet access, a device at home or unable to effectively access learning materials electronically. That might include a prepared packet of materials, which will be the likely scenario for elementary-aged students, TSC Superintendent Scott Hanback said.
Middle school and high school students will either work online via Canvas, Google Classroom, on a teacher's webpage or over email.
"The unfortunate situation is there’s just no playbook for this, there’s just no cookie cutter approach," Hanback said.
Hanback said the school's food service department is "as prepared as possible," should the school be able to distribute lunches to students who rely on meals provided by the school, with a likely scenario being establishing pickup points at various schools for lunches.
West Lafayette Community School Corp.
Spring break will be extended for all students, from March 16 to 31. During spring break, all schools will be completely disinfected, district officials said.
E-learning days will be implemented for all K-12 students, from April 1 to 3.
Superintendent Rocky Killion said the school’s technology department will be contacting parents during the week of March 23 to assist with anyone who wants to check out Google Chromebook laptops to use while at home. Teachers will also give the opportunity for students to make up assignments, if needed.
From March 16 to April 3, all events, practices and sanctioned events will be canceled. This includes before- and after-school child care.
Teaching staff will report to school starting March 30 to begin preparing for e-learning.
Contact the nurse immediately for any medications on file at the school that will be needed during break.
Officials from all three public school districts in Tippecanoe County will determine the next steps during the week of March 30, with additional information sent out then.
During this time, the only people allowed in the schools are staff. Students, parents and visitors are not allowed in school unless authorized by building administrators.
Benton Community School Corp.
Benton schools will be closed from March 16 to 29. The last week of the closure aligns with the school district’s planned spring break, from March 21-29.
The regular days missed will not be e-learning days.
The school district will determine the next steps needed closer to March 29 and will give notice for arrangements made for the next stage of the process, Superintendent Gregg Hoover said.
Montessori School of Greater Lafayette
Montessori School of Greater Lafayette will be closed from March 16 until April 6. Executive Director Cindy Garwood said the school is working out plans to send packets of material and provide e-learning for the students.
In addition to grades 1-3, Montessori houses a preschool program, which will also be closed.
The school’s annual spring program is still scheduled for early May, but Garwood said there has been no final decision made if that program will continue.
North Montgomery Community School Corp.
North Montgomery Schools will begin e-learning days March 16 to 20, with spring break going on as previously scheduled, from March 23 to 27.
Students will not have access to the building over the next two weeks and should take home any belongings they might need. Parents should pick up student medication, technology devices or other belongings on Friday.
North Montgomery will utilize e-learning, with all assignments posted on Canvas by afternoon dismissal Friday. Teachers will be available during regular school hours to answer any questions and will inform students and parents whether to use email, school phone, Canvas or Dojo.
Effective immediately, all school-related activities and extra-curricular events are canceled.
The school will use the two weeks including spring break to clean and sanitize the building. The goal, Superintendent Colleen Moran said, is to return to school March 30, but the school will continue to monitor developments and will keep parents updated.
As of Friday afternoon, there are no confirmed cases of coronavirus in Montgomery County, which is about 30 miles south of Tippecanoe County.
The school is working on “to go” options for students who need food during the closure. Pick up sites will be at Sommer Elementary and at North Montgomery High School.
Emily DeLetter is a news reporter for the Journal & Courier. Contact her at (765) 420-5205 or via email at edeletter@jconline.com. Follow her on Twitter at @EmilyDeLetter.
