FCCSC Announces Reopening Plan For Fall 2020

Students will return for school on Wednesday, August 5.

(Franklin Co., Ind.) - Like all other school corporations across the state, Franklin County Community School Corporation (FCCSC) has announced the Reopening Plan for this upcoming fall. 

All students will restart classes on Wednesday, August 5; however, families will have two options on how they wish to continue their child's education. Regardless of which option is chosen, both will include instruction five days a week and offered all year long. 

In-Person Instruction

Before coming to school, each family is required to complete a daily self screening of each child. Staff members must also self-screen. 

Self screenings will be based on a list of COVID-19-related symptoms per CDC guidance, including: 

• Fever of 100.4 or greater
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Chills
• Repeated shaking with chills
• Muscle pain
• Headache
• Sore throat
• New loss of taste or smell

All FCCSC schools will provide increased opportunities for hand washing and hand sanitizing. Face coverings will not be mandatory, but highly recommended. Additionally, social distancing will be implemented into the school day when possible.  

Online Instruction

While online instruction will be offered all year, families will have the option to return to in-person at school instruction at the end of each 9-week grading period. Students and families must commit to at least nine weeks at a time.

Grades K-5 will use Calvert Learning on school issued Chromebooks or iPads. Students will receive instruction from Indiana certified teachers. Courses are aligned to Indiana State Academic Standards in math, science, social studies, and Language Arts. Students may choose up to two electives in health, physical education and art.

Grades 6-12-will be participating in Edmentum courses using school issued Chromebooks.

FCCSC will work with families that do not have access to the internet. 

School Day: Health and Safety Protocols 

FCCSC schools will implement Health and Safety Protocols to keep students and staff safe, such as social distancing, ample opportunities for hand washing/sanitizing, and limited opportunities to share items between students. 

When social distancing is not possible, it is recommended that students and staff wear face coverings. Students and staff will have many opportunities for hand washing. Hand sanitizer dispensers will also be available in all 6-12 classrooms. 

Sharing of school supplies and electronic devices will be limited for all FCCSC students. 

In instances where students switch class periods (grades 7-12), desks and/or tables will be sanitized between each class period. 

Drinking fountains will be disabled; however, bottle fillers will be available. 

All staff will receive training on the signs and symptoms of COVID-19.

Additionally, visitors will not be permitted beyond the main office, and the use of volunteers has been suspended.

• Social Distancing
  • Student desks and tables will be arranged for social distancing to the greatest extent possible.
  • Students will have assigned seats.
  • In grades K-6, students will be grouped and remain with the same group.
  • Hallways and stairwells will be designated as “one-way” when possible.
  • The number of students in common areas at the same time will be monitored.
  • Alternative spaces will be used for large classes (band and choir). 
• Recess
  • Playground equipment will be cleaned and sanitized daily.
  • Shared equipment (balls and jump ropes) will be disinfected between every use.
  • Students will participate in recess with their class to maintain social distancing.
  • Students will wash hands before and after recess.
• Meals
  • Breakfast will be set up as a "Grab and Go" and will eat in designated areas or classrooms with social distancing.
  • Lunch will be held in the cafeteria or designated areas with assigned seats and social distancing, with meals prepared on site. 
• Technology
  • Students will be taking home their FCCSC issued devices daily.

Transportation

• School Bus
  • To the extent possible, buses will be thoroughly disinfected between routes.
  • FCCSC will provide bus transportation, but social distancing of 6-feet will not always be possible.
  • All students and bus drivers must wear face covering while on the bus. Face coverings will be provided if a student does not have one.
  • Students will be assigned a seat and siblings will be seated together.
  • Students will be required to remain in their assigned seats for the duration of the school bus trip.
  • The loading and unloading of buses will be controlled to allow for the greatest separation possible.
  • Parents/guardians may only use one or two addresses to create a Monday through Friday bus schedule that will be used for the entire school year.
  • In the event a permanent change in the student’s bus schedule is needed, parents/guardians shall contact the transportation department.
  • Daily changes to a child’s transportation schedule will no longer be permitted, with the exception of becoming a car rider or walker for that day.
  • Guest riders will not be allowed to ride a different bus. (sleep overs, play dates, birthday parties, etc.).
  • Students are encouraged to social distance at bus stops.
  • Students that have a temperature of 100.4 degrees will not be transported at the end of the school day.
  • Failure to comply with these modifications may result in the loss of school bus privileges for the student.
• Car
  • Families have the option of driving their child(ren) to/from school by car.
  • Carpools will be allowed.
  • Student drivers at the high school are permitted.
  • Drop off and pick-up areas will be designated and loading and unloading will be supervised for social distancing.

Confirmed Case(s)

The Franklin County Health Department will provide guidance in the event that there is a confirmed case at a FCCSC school. 

Confidentiality will be maintained in accordance with ADA and FERPA.

Remote Learning for Quarantine or Closures

If a student or group of students is quarantined, education will be continued through remote learning on a school issued iPad or Chromebook. 

All schools will provide internet access in school parking lots. 

Registration

Registration for the 2020-2021 school year is now open on the FCCSC website at 2020-2021 Registration. During the registration process you will be given three choices:

1. 1. New student, in-person registration
   • For kindergarteners and all other students new to FCCSC
2. Returning student, in-person registration
   • For students that completed the 2019-2020 school year in one of the FCCSC schools and plans to return in-person for the 2020-2021 school year.
3. Online/at-home registration 
   • For new or returning students that choose to participate in an online/at-home option for the 2020-2021 school year. Please click here to complete a brief questionnaire if interested in the online/at-home option.