We are currently operating with full-time, in-person instruction for all students. We maintain our belief that this is in the best interest of our students and families, and that our staff is best equipped to provide this format for learning. 

NEW COVID-19 Family Communication - Sent 1/3/22

2021-22 Re-Entry Plan- Updated 12/14/21

Notify the school by leaving the information on the attendance line, then talk to the student's healthcare provider.

LCSC will continue to review revised guidance from public health agencies. Students and staff with COVID-19 symptoms and/or confirmed cases of COVID-19 will receive information and instructions from supervisors and/or school administration.

LCSC will continue to contact trace and communicate with local and state health officials to make informed decisions. In the event your student is identified as a close contact, a school official will contact you to discuss requirements for returning to school.

Please visit the Indiana State Department of Health's testing resources for the must updated information regarding testing sites and availability.

If anyone in the home is awaiting test results, then everyone should isolate and stay home from school.  

Current information suggests that new variants are more likely to infect everyone in the home. Any positive test, including a rapid test, means everyone should isolate in the home, and stay home from school. Asymptomatic individuals who are fully vaccinated are not required to quarantine.

A fully vaccinated individual is defined as:

• Fully vaccinated with Pfizer or Moderna: Individual is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after 2^nd Fully vaccinated status applies only for six months following the second dose of MRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna).
• Fully vaccinated with Johnson & Johnson: Individual is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Fully vaccinated status applies only for two months following the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. 

Eligible individuals must receive a booster to be considered fully vaccinated. Please note that, at this time, boosters are not authorized for individuals ages 5-15; therefore, their fully vaccinated status does not expire.

LCSC regularly reviews revised guidance from public health agencies and will communicate additional information and instructions as available.

It is our goal to provide the optimal educational experience, while minimizing the risk of transmission of COVID-19. Therefore, we have developed a phased approach to plan for a range of scenarios. It is our intent to begin the school year in Phase 6, with all students attending school in-person.However, it is possible that, on the advice of local health officials, LCSC may implement one or more additional phases throughout the course of the 2021-22 school year. We felt it was important to share all phases in order to provide as much information as possible to aid families in preparing for the 2021-22 school year.  

Plexiglass barriers will be installed in areas such as main offices and points of sale in cafeterias, as well as other settings where face-to-face exposure is likely to occur. We have purchased Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI) sanitizing devices, which will be utilized overnight to disinfect learning spaces. We continue to review additional air filtration options.  

Students and staff are encouraged to bring hand sanitizer; we have also increased our inventory of hand sanitizer and CDC-approved sanitary wipes. We will build in hand-washing and sanitizer opportunities to daily routines. 

In addition, we have implemented the following changes to specific practices: 

• Cafeteria: Students are not required to eat meals in classrooms during Phase 6. Students will be socially distanced during lunches to the degree possible. Extra care will be taken when packaging and delivering meals to students. Some Pre-COVID-19 procedures will be in place.
• Entry, Exit, and Passing Periods:  We will be increasing entrances and exits for student arrival and dismissal to avoid crowding. Passing periods may be altered as needed to facilitate students moving between classrooms.  
• Hydration: Water fountains are to be used to fill containers only. Students are encouraged to bring a water bottle from home. 
• Recess: Recess will be followed as scheduled in elementary schools. Equipment will be cleaned and sanitized daily. Games and activities that require sustained close contact will not be permitted. Students will be asked to wash or sanitize hands before and after recess. 
• Student and Staff Hygiene: We have increased our inventory of hand sanitizer and sanitary wipes. Students and staff will be reminded to frequently wash hands, and opportunities will be built into the daily schedule when appropriate, such as before and after recess and lunch. 
• Transportation: Face coverings are required on buses by a ruling from US Department of Transportation. Our drivers have been provided with a supply of CDC-approved cleaners and have received training on the proper method to wipe frequently touched areas of busses.
• Visitors: Only essential visitors (e.g. repair personnel, deliveries) are permitted. Pre-entry screening and use of face-coverings will be required. Appointments are recommended. 
• Volunteers: Volunteers are not permitted at this time. This will be re-evaluated at the end of the first quarter.

We expect students to wear face coverings while riding on the school bus, and we ask for the assistance of parents in communicating and supporting this message.

We want our bus drivers’ focus to be on the road ahead and on navigating the safe pick up and drop off of students. It is difficult, if not impossible, to expect drivers to have a focus on driving safely while also monitoring the use of face coverings by students. Additionally, our drivers need to have a clear vision and remain undistracted while performing their jobs. As some drivers wear eye correction or have medical conditions prohibiting them from wearing masks, we ask that parents understand that drivers may wear face coverings at times, but some may not be able to model this behavior for our student riders.

Yes, students are permitted to bring lunches from home. Please limit food packaging that may require adult assistance, in order to minimize unnecessary food handling.

If the student is exposed to or shows symptoms of COVID-19, please follow district reporting procedures. Symptoms of COVID-19 include: a fever of 100.4 or greater, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, or new loss of taste or smell.

Students and families are encouraged to regularly clean and disinfect personal belongings such as backpacks, lunchboxes/bags, and face coverings. Students may carry their own hand sanitizer, and should regularly wash and/or sanitize hands and personal items at school.

In addition, parents/guardians should review with their student(s) the following healthy habits to prevent the spread of any illness:

• Regularly wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• Avoid touching eyes, nose, and/or mouth
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Stay home when experiencing symptoms of illness
• Cover coughs and sneezes with tissue and dispose of tissue
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces