The Superintendent of Elkhart Community Schools shared with staff late Thursday that he was on a call with other Elkhart County school superintendents and the Elkhart County Health Officer, Dr. Mertz.
He says in the meeting, "We received word that she will be making a recommendation for schools to not engage in in-person instruction until the end of September. I contacted board members and then called an emergency meeting of the Leadership Team. We are waiting on the text of Dr. Mertrz’s official recommendation to determine the details. However, we do know that this means we will start the year online."
Dr. Steve Thalheimer goes on to say that over Friday and Monday, district administrators will be meeting with building administrators and departments to pivot our plan and communicate with our families.
Parents in the Concord Community Schools are receiving phone calls Thursday indicating that Concord will also move to an online only format until at least Sept. 28. At Concord, all sports and other extra-curriculars are suspended, as well.
Northwood posted online that their athletics programs have been suspended until further notice.
A letter to parents of students in Goshen that was posted online says, "It has been determined that the safest course of action for all Elkhart County schools is to begin the school year with online learning for all students. Online learning will continue through September 28, 2020, unless pandemic conditions improve significantly enough to safely reopen schools. At this time, Goshen Community Schools (GCS) will start the year on Tuesday, August 11, 2020, with all grades ,,, online learning from home. GCS will delay the start of the school year by one day, making the first day of school Tuesday, August 11. This delay will allow administrators and teachers one additional day of preparation to get ready for an online start."
Baugo Community Schools posted a letter from the superintendent on its Facebook page to inform parents and students of the changes.
Middlebury Community Schools also used social media to convey the updates.
