Hamilton Southeastern switches to online-only start to school year
FISHERS, Ind. (WISH) — Hamilton Southeastern is the second major school district in the Indianapolis area to announce it will begin the upcoming school year with online-only instruction during the coronavirus pandemic.
A third Indianapolis-area district, Westfield Washington, also is re-evaluating its reopening plan.
Hamilton Southeastern said an increase in infections in the community is the reason for its changes. The Fishers-based district is set to start online instruction Aug. 6 and continue it through Labor Day, Sept. 7.
The Hamilton County district based in Fishers announced Friday it will have a reopening plan similar to the Back on Track, phased reopening plan implemented by Gov. Eric Holcomb.
“Conditions will be monitored carefully and the district will not move to the next phase until identified markers established in collaboration with the Fishers Health Department have been met,” according to information emailed from Emily Pace Abbotts, the district’s director of school and community relations.
Families will received the four-phase reopening plan by Wednesday. The plan will not affect plans already in place for athletic and extracurricular programs in the Hamilton Southeastern district.
Abbotts said HSE also is working with the YMCA to develop a plan to make child care available for families who may need that service.
“We understand this is a change to our original plan, but we value the health and safety of our students, staff and families, and believe this will better meet the needs of the school community. We greatly appreciate your patience and flexibility during this time,” the email from Abbotts said.
Washington Township Schools in Marion County announced Monday that students will begin the school year completely online due to concerns about the coronavirus.
Also on Friday, Westfield Washington Schools in Hamilton County announced it’s re-evaluating its reopening plan. School leaders are now considering alternating school days for all students. Currently, Westfield Washington is offering in-person learning with a virtual option. The school year is expected to start Aug. 13. The district says more information for parents and students will be available next week.