Local schools do not plan to offer distance learning in the fall, superintendents say, as most children have returned to the classroom and student and staff quarantines are drastically falling off.
Citing the positive trends, North and South Montgomery expect to have everyone back in person next academic year and are encouraging students currently distance learning to consider returning after spring break to reacclimate to the classroom.
At Crawfordsville, the final decision on continuing distance learning next year will come after administrators determine how many distance learning families are willing to come back for the rest of the spring.
Local schools resumed in-person classes in September after beginning the year in a hybrid format, but gave families the option to continue learning online. Athletes also participated in distance learning.
The number of distance learners has dropped as much as 60% from the beginning of the year, administrators say.
“We have witnessed the social and emotional stressors that students have experienced without the support of their teachers and peers,” North Montgomery superintendent Dr. Colleen Moran wrote in a letter to parents last week. “The mental health of our students is as, if not more, important than their academic achievement.”
“Most families have recognized this and decided that it is safe for their students to return,” she added.
The number of people identified as close contacts fell after public health officials changed the guidelines for quarantines. Crawfordsville High School reported that quarantines were down 89% before administrators determined the figure was based on the highest levels in November and December.
“Quarantines came down quite a bit before the new policy from the state was put in place,” Crawfordsville superintendent Dr. Scott Bowling said in an e-mail. “We have seen a reduction due to the new policy, but it’s nothing like 89%.”
Schools plan to offer summer learning programs to help make up for lost instructional time throughout the pandemic.
Plans are also underway for prom and graduation ceremonies in line with public health recommendations. North plans to hold indoor commencement exercises on time while Crawfordsville has tentatively planned an outdoor ceremony very soon after the last day of school.
At Southmont, the newly-opened Mountie Stadium proved to be a popular venue for last year’s graduation ceremony, superintendent Dr. Shawn Greiner said.
“We received such a positive response from the students and families of the Class of 2020, that we plan to host graduation outdoors again this year.”
