June 23 Update: 2020-2021 Reopening Planning

Kirk Koennecke

We want our students to return to class, safely.

I want to begin with that, so you understand what has been central to the work our leadership team has been involved in the past several weeks as we prepare for the start of the 2020-2021 school year. As a District, 100 percent of our faculty participated in professional learning with distance learning experts from around the country to strengthen the delivery of online learning. We established three reopening committees equipped with more than 40 staff members to engage on what a COVID-19 school model could look like. At the Indian Hill School District, safety is top of mind in planning. Building principals, teacher leadership teams, and school nurses have drafted a variety of safety protocols, such as handwashing opportunities and directional hallway exchanges.

You spoke; we listened.

Your feedback from the 2020-2021 reopening survey that was distributed May 21 weighed heavily on our plan development. Thank you to the 985 families who shared their thoughts with us. This is what you said:

Return to School Family Plans  (Click here to enlarge the image view.)

Return To School Family Plans



Return to School Transportation Plans 

Return to School Transportation Plans
 
Why have we engaged in all of this preparation? Because, ultimately, the decision is not ours entirely to make.

Outside of our District’s planning and family feedback, we will also abide by the direction we receive on safety best practices from the Hamilton County Health Department and Governor Mike DeWine for the return to school. We continue to wait for procedural direction for K-12 for the reopening of schools.

What can you expect from us?

We are ready to react to any announcements from government officials regarding safety precautions and the reopening of school. This is what we anticipate communicating with you in the near future:

• Details about the reopening of school to all families, which will include both in-person, on-campus options, and the offer of an online model of education delivery for families who would like that option. This email will provide specific information such as the model, times, and dates. 
• A survey of families to indicate their preferred educational model per child and planned transportation model to/from school. 
• Building principal information about each school’s safety plan, including a video with a virtual tour of the school. 


Thank you for your patience and understanding through this process. We are in this together.

In service to our children,
Kirk Koennecke
Superintendent
Posted June 23, 2020

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