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 5, 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 2020-21 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 2020-21 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 5. Seating will be expanded to allow for appropriate distancing. The self-service option has been eliminated. Condiments will be provided in individual cups. We will utilize additional trays and utensils to allow for appropriate disinfecting between meal services. No cash transactions will be permitted in elementary cafeterias; all payments must be made in the morning or at the pre-designated time. Cashiers at the middle and high schools will be stationed behind plexiglass barriers and will not be able to serve food. All staff, including vendors entering the buildings, must wear face coverings. 
• 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: No more than two students per seat; siblings are encouraged to sit together and up to three siblings per seat will be permitted. Face coverings will be strongly encouraged. Drivers will disinfect busses between routes. 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. All busses will be cleaned daily between routes. 
• Visitors: Only essential visitors (e.g. repair personnel, deliveries) are permitted. Pre-entry screening will be required. Face coverings will be required. Please note that this does not include visitors for the purpose of conducting official school business (e.g. registration assistance, counseling services). Appointments are recommended. 
• Volunteers: Volunteers are not permitted at this time. This will be re-evaluated at the end of the first quarter. 

Current guidance indicates that wearing face coverings is one of the most effective ways to prevent the transmission of COVID-19. We want to be clear that students will be asked and expected to wear a disposable or cloth face covering throughout the day.

We expect administrators and teachers to ask students to please wear their masks when in the hallways, in line in the cafeteria, and when transitioning from individual desk work to other group or academic activities in the classroom. 

Students will be expected to comply with the administrator, teacher, and staff member requests to wear masks. 

Students are expected to have a face covering or mask with them at all times. 

Teachers may request students to wear masks during instruction time. Administrators and teachers will model the wearing of masks throughout the day, including in the instructional setting and consistently in hallways and transition times. 

We understand there may be medical reasons for students to remove masks or not wear a mask. In these situations, the student is still expected to have a mask with him/her at all times, as there may be a mask requirement such as when a student meets with a staff member and social distancing is not possible (i.e. student enters the health clinic, meets with an administrator or counselor). 

The school has a limited supply of masks. Therefore, we are asking parents to include masks in their back to school shopping and preparation and to have a supply of disposable or reusable masks prepared to send with the child each day. 

We ask for the help of parents and guardians in practice the use of masks with your children including practicing wearing them for longer durations. The Indiana Department of Education has provided a helpful graphic to assist families with this.  

When students defy the requests or consistently are unable to follow the requests to wear masks, an administrator may contact the parent to determine if the in-person instructional setting is the best fit for the child. 

In Governor Holcomb’s recent press conference, he shared the following regarding the use of masks: “We ask that Hoosiers take responsibility for their own actions and wear masks.” We are asking our students to take this responsibility. We want parents to know the expectations and considerations regarding face coverings on buses so the best decision regarding student transportation may be made by your family.

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.  

We will be reducing ridership to two students per seat (unless siblings), using assigned seats, coordinating the filling and emptying of buses to reduce student proximity to one another, and cleaning and sanitizing buses each day. 

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.

As students transition between at-home and in-person instruction, we may need to close or open in-person classes. As a result, it is possible that students may be assigned to a different teacher at some point during the school year. 

Yes. Online registration is open through July 23. If you have changed your mind about considering remote learning, you may log in to Skyward and resubmit your choice.

If you change your mind following the registration period, or after the school year begins, please contact your child's principal.

No. Families who choose to homeschool their student(s) must follow guidelines set forth by the state of Indiana, and are not enrolled as students in Lebanon Community School Corporation. 

Remote learning is supported by the school district, with LCSC providing curriculum through a variety of technology and tools, as well as instructional support.  

We recommend that all students attend school in person when the option is available. LCSC is following Governor Holcomb’s Back on Track plan as well as guidance from local health officials. As a district, we have implemented practices and procedures to minimize the risk of transmission of COVID-19. 

However, if parents or guardians feel that remote learning is the best option for their families, or if the student is required to stay home due to a documented medical condition, we respect that decision. Please note that a conference between the parent/guardian and building principal or his/her designee is required for anyone considering this option. 

It is important to recognize the symptoms of COVID-19: 

• A 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 

If a student is experiencing symptoms, or has been exposed to a case of COVID-19, please contact your child’s school as soon as possible. 

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 

Please look for specific information from your child’s school regarding opportunities to learn more about Canvas and other district technology tools and resources. 

Not at this time, as our current guidance from public health agencies does not include this as necessary or advised procedure. All parents will be asked to pre-screen their children daily before sending them to school (which will include evaluating for symptoms and temperatures). Staff will also be asked to pre-screen daily.

Please look for specific information from your child’s school regarding opportunities to attend and/or participate in back-to-school events. 

Student seating will be expanded as much as possible and students will all face in the same direction. We have no plans to install physical barriers between individual students.

You will be asked whether you are considering remote learning during annual student registration. A conference with the building principal is required for anyone considering this option. This conference will provide the opportunity to ask questions and gather information to determine if remote learning is the best option for your student. 

LCSC will follow the guidance of the Boone County Health Department in responding to confirmed cases.

Yes, elementary schools will continue to offer art, music, and PE, along with arts programs at the secondary level. There may be changes to the classroom and/or schedule to allow for appropriate social distancing and sanitizing between classes. 

All students should bring a cloth or disposable mask to school daily. LCSC will maintain a limited supply in the event a mask is lost or forgotten. We recommend that all students purchase a supply of disposable masks or multiple reusable masks as part of their back-to-school supply shopping.

Please note that all masks must follow guidelines for LCSC dress standards as outlined in the student handbook.

District and school administrators are working to continue making plans and sharing information. More information will be shared as it is available.