Some parents say more virtual options needed as kids quarantine
NOBLESVILLE, Ind. (WISH) — Many parents across central Indiana said with COVID-19 cases on the rise, they’re growing fearful.
Noblesville East Middle School is the latest on the list of schools forced to return to temporary virtual learning.
District leaders cited a spike in illness like they’ve “never seen before,” with more than 20% of the school community out sick. That number includes 50 confirmed COVID-19 cases last week and 12 more at the start of this week.
Natalie Mosley’s kids go to school in Fishers, and after hearing about what’s happening in Noblesville, she’s preparing for the worst.
“I really hope not. I want to say no, but yeah, we’re so close to Noblesville, and it’s the same kind of thinking where there’s no masks, people aren’t vaccinated,” said Mosely.
While in Noblesville, News 8 ran into another Fishers parent who had the same concerns. She asked News 8 to conceal her identity.
“I am curious. There’s tons of new people getting sick, tons of COVID cases,” she said.
The Indiana State Department of Health’s school dashboard shows 3,504 new positive cases among students. Parents said as much as they want their kids in the building, the second surge makes them want more choices when it comes to virtual learning.
“Like last year, you were able to choose if you wanted to be virtual, but this time I think you have to be quarantined,” said Mosley.
“My daughter was sick last week — not sick but just didn’t feel good — so I kept her home and they didn’t even give her an option to do anything online that day,” said another parent.
As for surrounding school districts, students at Indianapolis Public Schools do have two virtual options, but spots are limited and if the student gets in, they automatically give up their current IPS seat.
Carmel Clay schools have no virtual option at this point.
Families at Hamilton Southeastern Schools were offered online learning but had to opt in by a certain date. If they want to switch at any point, they have to go through an appeals process.