Take time to familiarize yourself with the options, and then choose the option that works best for your student. After reading the descriptions of the options, you can review the Frequently Asked Questions. GCCS will be sending a phone survey out during the week of June 29, 2020-July 3, 2020. Be ready to “take the call.” Within sixty seconds, you will be able to communicate your child’s intent to return with the push of a button. GCCS will continue to push out phone calls until you have answered the survey.

During the week of June 29-July 3, an automated phone call system will send out an “Intent to Return” phone message. You will receive this message multiple times if you have multiple children in GCCS. An automated service is being used to make this process as efficient as possible for families and our staff. Please take the call. You will be able to give us your answer within sixty seconds. We will use that information to direct needed information to you thereafter.

• Elementary students will be called on Monday, June 29th.
• Middle school students will be called on Tuesday, June 30th.
• High school students (9th-11th) will be called on Wednesday, July 1st.
• Make-up calls will automatically be sent on July 2nd-3rd.
• Limitations:
  • The system only allows one response per family, per school level. We will assume the answer is the same for all same-school level siblings; however, you will be able to correct that information at a later time.
  • 2020-2021 Kindergarten students and all students NEW to GCCS for 2020-2021 will receive a phone call the following week: July 6-10.

With any automated service, there can be some technical difficulties associated with service providers. We have these tips to make the quick, easy phone call successful:

• The phone number used to send the call will be 812-283-0701. If you have ever blocked School Messenger calls before, you may want to clear this number from your cell phone’s blocked numbers.
• Some cell phone services may experience a delay in the message. When the call comes in, if you hear silence, simply press 1 and it will initiate the message to begin. The system is waiting to hear a sound on the other end to make sure you are “there.”
• If at any time during the call you would like the message repeated, simply press the star (*) key.

If you never receive a call, please do not worry. We will receive a report with the automated service and begin making individual calls during the week of July 6-10.

The questions on the call will be:

Question 1: Indicate your child’s intent to return.

• Press 1 for the GCCS Traditional Model.
• Press 2 for the GCCS mySchool Online Model.
• Press 3 for the GCCS Virtual Academy.
• Press 4 if you are undecided and would like to be contacted.
• Press 5 if your child will not return to GCCS for the 2020-2021 school year.

Question 2: Transportation

• Press 1 if your GCCS Traditional model student will ride GCCS school bus transportation.
• Press 2 if you will not need transportation, or if you choose any other option for question 1.

We know having less than a week to make a decision is tough. Your choice can absolutely be changed in the weeks to come, but this information will help GCCS be prepared with our staffing assignments to make all three models a success for your child.

Each school building is different in structure and schedule. Each building will compose their own plan based upon their hallway structure and schedule. Efforts made to maintain social distancing will be shared by individual principals in their “Back to School” communications in the coming weeks.

Until further notice parents, volunteers, and visitors will not be present on campus. If you need to see someone at the school, you will need to contact the office to make an appointment.

Yes, they will plan to continue providing this service at Youthlink for students in grades K-5. They will implement their own social distancing plans which will be communicated directly to their child care clients.

The GCCS preschool program will finalize all details soon. There could be adjustments made specifically for preschool.

Yes, staff and students will be given flexibility for work hours and communication availability so they may work eLearning into their established plans. These two weeks will be delivered asynchronously.

Students in the Traditional and mySchool Online models will be able to participate in courses at Prosser Career Education Center. Students in the Virtual Academy will need to work with GCCS on a case-by-case basis.

The Indiana Department of Education released the IN-CLASS document of guidelines for reopening schools. That guidance said to consider making changes to the school calendar one semester at a time. It also stated to consider how virtual learning could be used in an effort to allow for separation and deeper sanitation. The GCCS administrative team also consulted with the Clark County Health Department about projected time periods of increased cases. GCCS made the Semester 1 adjustments to allow families the ability to still go on original Fall Break planned vacations while still completing instructional days. The decision to go into eLearning at the end of November and be finished with Semester 1 instruction by December 4^th was a proactive decision to allow a cohesive end to the semester before the potential wave of Covid-19 cases could cause many life disruptions for our staff and families. Semester 2 decisions will be made by December 1^st in continued collaboration with the Clark County Health Department and guidance from the Indiana Department of Education.

Usually, all of our dates and information about school transition orientations have been released by now. Those details were put on hold until the Return to School plan could be released for this year. Right now, each school is making adjustments based upon our guidance. We hope to announce that information soon.

In the past, we know that many families sent students to school with mild respiratory symptoms as not all symptoms are signs of a contagion. Covid-19 has caused a new level of caution therefore, we are currently working behind the scenes to present new attendance guidance for 2020-2021. That information will be released before the start of the school on July 29^th.

All schools are on break right now. Once school office staff members return, they will begin reaching out and sending school specific information to all new students. School office opening dates are:

• Elementary Schools: July 14^th
• Middle Schools: July 13^th
• High Schools: July 7^th

A continuous and consistent learning environment is best for student success. However, we understand that parents and students might have compelling reasons to seek a transition from one option to another, so we will provide opportunities to do so when available. For the sake of continuity, transfers from one learning option to another would be best after the completion of a semester. Unique circumstances will be handled on a case by case basis in partnership with the assigned school.

Core classes will be available under all three options. The GCCS  mySchool Online and GCCS Virtual Academy will have a selection of electives. These may differ from courses available in the GCCS Traditional model.

Based on feedback from students and parents, we have a clearer idea of which factors contribute to greater student success. Those factors include more frequent real-time interaction between students and teachers. Also, the GCCS mySchool Online model will incorporate standard school schedules, leading to a learning experience more connected to teachers.

Yes. Recess will be organized to emphasize social distancing. Hand washing will occur immediately before and after recess.

A Chromebook will be provided, but an internet connection will be necessary at home. When you select your option you can indicate whether you have access to the internet. GCCS  has a partnership with Sprint to provide mobile hotspots for students without internet access in Sprint provider areas.

No. We fully expect to start the school year on July 29.

Students in the mySchool Online model will be able to take dual credit and/or Advanced Placement classes. Students in the Virtual Academy model will not be able take dual credit and/or Advanced Placement classes; however, there are honors level classes with this model.

1. Students in mySchool Online will have access to elective classes offered in their traditional campus school. Depending on enrollment, schools may be able to offer the opportunity for mySchool Online students to attend in person. This is a detail we will work through once we have our final enrollment numbers.

2. Students in the GCCS Virtual Academy will only have the elective options within the curriculum software programs.

Yes, mySchool Online students will be able to stay in their Greater Clark Academy.

Students are encouraged to wear masks. If they do not wear a mask it is not a discipline issue. There are times when students may forgo mask use in the school day when they are social distancing. This may include brief times in the classroom, while eating, during outdoor classes or activities, and during PE class.

GCCS is strongly recommending the use of masks, or face coverings, by staff and students. We are providing masks to all employees. We are asking for all students to provide their own masks. Masks, or face coverings, and social distancing are extremely important to help stop the spread of Covid-19. Due to the inability to be socially distanced on the school bus, all students riding GCCS transportation will be required to wear a mask, or face covering, while on the bus.  The most critical times for staff and students to wear masks, or face coverings, include in the hallways, during small group instruction, or any other time when staff/students are going to be closer than 3-6 feet apart for longer than fifteen minutes. School staff will monitor classroom and common area situations in the moment to determine whether students may forgo or wear their masks, or face coverings.

In many school settings students will be socially distanced to the extent possible. At the elementary school level, where social distancing will be extremely difficult, students will spend most of the school day interacting only with students in their class. By limiting their exposure to a small number of students, we reduce the chance of infection. And if a student becomes ill, the immediate class is affected, not the entire school.

Keeping surfaces clean will be a team effort in GCCS. Maintenance workers and school custodians will clean frequently touched surfaces throughout the day and conduct overall cleanings at the conclusion of every day. All other staff members will be expected to do their part keeping surfaces clean, and will be provided spray bottles and microfiber cloths for additional cleaning.  Teachers will have access to cleaning supplies for their classroom.

GCCS will partner with parents in educating students on the importance of hand washing, hygiene, and social distancing. Hand sanitizer will be made available, subject to availability,  in classrooms and workplaces. The schedule for changing air conditioning filters has been accelerated.

We will send a clear message to parents and staff that if they are exhibiting any symptoms, they should not come to school or report to work. If a student exhibits symptoms at school they will be taken to a location at the school clinic set aside for possible COVID-19 cases and their parent or guardian will be notified to take them home or to visit a medical professional.

The Clark County Health Department will notify the district if a student or staff member tests positive. We will notify parents, while not specifically identifying the student or staff member. We will cooperate with the Health Department as they conduct the appropriate notifications of individuals who have been in contact with the person infected. Our Return to School plan is designed to limit the chances of infection and to limit the disruption to a school or workplace in the event of an infection.

Greater Clark County Schools will continue to identify, locate, and evaluate students suspected of having a disability and needing special education and related services. At the same time, we will be mindful that students have been displaced from their typical learning environment when initiating the referral process. Some evaluation procedures can be completed in remote learning situations. Some evaluations require in-person contact with students or observations of students in school settings. Greater Clark County Schools is conducting evaluations remotely and in-person while adhering to public health guidelines for the safety of students and staff.

Greater Clark County Schools is committed to providing families an opportunity to have meaningful participation in the special education process. Whether in-person or an alternative format, such as videoconferencing or by phone, IEP teams will partner with families to determine the most practical format to conduct IEP meetings.

All students attending GCCS mySchool Online will have access to many accommodations that naturally occur in the virtual setting. In addition, GCCS  mySchool Online may be able to provide additional accommodations per a student’s IEP or Section 504 Plan if the accommodation(s) is/are applicable to the online educational environment. Please note that some accommodations may not be possible to implement in the online educational setting.

Self-serve stations will be eliminated. Plasticware and condiments will be handed out individually. All food service employees will be required to wear masks and gloves. Seating will be limited in accordance to the current executive order for capacity in food service establishments. Cafeteria furniture will be rearranged when necessary to ensure social distancing.

In the effort to increase social distancing, we encourage families with the ability to provide their own transportation to do so. We understand that it is not possible for all families and we will be prepared. Bus drivers will be required to wear masks and will screen students, including a temperature check, before admitting students on the bus. Students will be recommended to wear masks. Seating charts will be implemented. Hand sanitizer will be available on buses, subject to availability. Buses will be disinfected between runs.