October 28, 2020
Dear Parents and Guardians,
It has been 238 days since we first learned that COVID-19 had reached Greene County and would have an impact on how we operate in our professional and personal lives. During these past 48 weeks the spread of the virus, like our emotions, has ebbed and flowed. We are all tired and many are just ‘done with it’. Unfortunately, it is not done with us. Currently Indiana is experiencing an increase in the spread. According to our local and state health departments the spread is not associated with any one event, but due to Pandemic Fatigue, yet another new and real phrase associated with the COVID.
It is true our numbers at school are low in comparison to our population. Since the start of the 2020-2021 school year we have had five students test positive and five staff members test positive. I praise the efforts of each of our staff and parents for the work being done to keep the spread low in our schools. That being said, we have to continue to be tenacious, if we want our lives to go back to what they were pre-COVID.
We must continue to be diligent and not just at school. Together with our community, we have the power to protect each other and prevent any shutdowns of school or activities. We must:
- Continue to wear our masks
- Social distance
- Stay home when sick
- Wash hands often
- Avoid crowds
Due to the spike in positive cases in Greene County our COVID color code, announced today is ORANGE. Everyone in the county has a responsibility to do their part to stop the spread. Greene County schools have made a commitment to do our part which will be implemented Friday, October 30th. Below is the schedule for Friday, October 30th through Thursday, November 5th. The updated color code will be released on the afternoon of the 4th and we will reevaluate and communicate our status at that time.
ACADEMICS
- PreK – 6th grade will operate as normal with on-campus learning
- 7th – 12th grade will operate on a Hybrid Learning schedule
- MINER Academy students continue their course of studies within the academy
Hybrid Learning is a way to decrease the number of students in a building at one time. It is important at the middle and senior high school due to passing periods, lunch periods, and common periods having large numbers of students gathering. Because our Prek-6th grade classes are co-horted (staying together all day) are safe to continue as normal.
Students in the middle school and high school have been divided into two MINER color groups, RED and BLUE, based on the first initial of the last name. Family members and those living in the same household attend on the same day. Families including children with more than one last name will follow the schedule of the MS/HS students with the initial closest to the beginning of the alphabet. As an example: In a family child one and two have the last name of Jones and child number 3 has the last name of Smith. All three children will follow the RED schedule based on the last name of Jones. Student color groups may also be found on Harmony. Any change requests for color days must be made through the building principal.
The schedule will alternate every other day. When the RED group is on campus for learning the BLUE group is Remote learning. The following day the schedule will have RED group Remote learning and BLUE group on-campus learning.
| COLOR | FAMILY LAST NAME INITIAL |
| RED | A through M |
| BLUE | N through Z |
Below is the schedule for Friday, October 30th through Thursday, November 5th. The updated color code will be released on the afternoon of the November 4th and we will reevaluate and communicate our status at that time.
| DATE | RED GROUP | BLUE GROUP |
| Friday, October 30th | On-Campus | Remote |
| Monday, November 2nd | Remote | On-Campus |
| Tuesday, November 3rd | On-Campus | Remote |
| Wednesday, November 4th | Remote | On-Campus |
| Thursday, November 5th | On-Campus | Remote |
Attendance is critical and students on Remote Learning are expected to remote into each of their scheduled classes. Students in grades 7 through 12 should refer to the Remote Learning flyer for start times of each period. The bus schedule will remain the same daily. Students who are on the Remote Learning schedule may call in to reserve a lunch, which can be picked up at the front entrance of the high school between 11:00am and 12:00noon. To order lunch call 812-847-6020 ext 4006 by 9:00am.
ATHLETICS
- High school student athletes continue their normal practice schedule, even if they are Remote Learning they arrive at school in time for practice. Spectator information will be released by the athletic department per contest.
- Middle school student athletes attend practice on days they are on-campus learning and all contests on the evening they are held (they may attend every practice if they have transportation to arrive at the practice time. No students will be penalized if they only attend on days they are on campus for school.) Spectator information will be released by the athletic department per contest.
The positive news is that this will, indeed, pass! For now though, we must continue our persistent battle against this enemy and do what Miners do, RISE UP.
Sincerely,
Dr. Kathy Goad