MSD of Lawrence Township buildings are open. LECC is open to the public during regular business hours. Families are able to enroll at school buildings. Click here for more information on enrollment.

Cleaning and Disinfection:	LT will maintain an enhanced cleaning plan. Bathroom breaks will continue to be provided to facilitate adequate handwashing. Custodians clean and disinfect high-touch areas throughout the day. Hand sanitizer will continue to be available.
Cloth Facial Coverings and Masks or Face Shields:	Masks are optional for students & staff while indoors in district facilities.  Masks are optional for students PreK-12, staff, and visitors while on school buses.
Extracurricular Activities:	All in-person extra/co-curricular events or programs K-12 and athletic events for students in grades 6-12 will proceed in accordance with Marion County Public Health Department (MCPHD) guidance.
Public Events in School Facilities:	Public events will be held in our facilities per requirements of the local and state health department in tandem with the District’s facility use process and procedures.
School Visitors:	School buildings are open to both visitors and volunteers.

MSD of Lawrence Township COVID-19 Protocols 2022-2023

This COVID-19 page is part of our ongoing effort to provide you with the latest information regarding the student and staff experience during the COVID-19 pandemic. The MSD of Lawrence Township will be vigilant and will not hesitate to make changes, should they be needed. We remain devoted to our values and our mission of educating all students through innovation and dedication.


MSD of Lawrence Township Communication  
Parent Square will be utilized for all district communication related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Click here for more information on ParentSquare.
 

CALENDAR Important Dates	Click here to access the2022-2023 Academic Calendar - English Click here to access the 2022-2023 Academic Calendar - Spanish
School Days:	Schools will follow regular school calendars. School will be in person 5 days per week for students K-12.
Symptom Screening:	COVID-19 Symptom Screening and Reporting Guidance Click here for guidance on COVID-19 symptoms
Cleaning and Disinfection:	LT will maintain an enhanced cleaning plan. Bathroom breaks will continue to provide opportunity for facilitate adequate handwashing. Custodians clean and disinfect high-touch areas throughout the day. Hand sanitizer will continue to be available.
Cloth Facial Coverings and Masks or Face Shields:	Masks are optional for students & staff while indoors in district facilities.  Masks are optional for all students PreK-12, staff, and visitors while on school buses.
Student Health & Safety:	There will be a designated area in each school where symptomatic students can wait for pick-up separate from the general clinic area. Frequent hand washing and the use of hand sanitizer will be encouraged at the minimum: upon arrival at school, before and after eating, and after using the restroom. LT will require all students who are sick to be fever free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and symptoms resolving before return to school. Per CDC guidelines, the use of nebulizer treatments will be suspended at school. Please talk to your medical provider about getting a rescue inhaler with spacer for school use. Please reach out to your school nurse if you have any questions or concerns about these changes. COVID-19 parent screening information from the Indiana Department of Health. (12/29/21) - English COVID-19 parent screening information from the Indiana Department of Health. (12/29/21) - Spanish
TRANSPORTATION:	Masks are optional for students and staff while on the school bus.  All LT buses will utilize a seating chart.  Buses will open windows for cross ventilation as weather permits.
COVID Testing:	Will take place under the direction and guidance of MCPHD. Access All IndiaNa Testing Locations
Public Events in School Facilities:	Public Events will be held in our facilities per requirements of the local and state health department in tandem with the District's facility use process and procedures.
Water Fountains:	Students will be allowed to bring a water bottle to school and fill stations are available.
School Visitors:	School buildings will be open to both visitors and volunteers.
Exceptional Learners:	Individual implications of COVID-19 for students with either a 504 or Individualized Education Plan (IEP) will be discussed and decided through parent meetings, case conferences, teacher of record communication, etc.

Reporting Positive COVID-19 Cases

If schools are notified of a confirmed case of COVID-19 in a classroom, we will follow direction from the Marion County Public Health Department. Please notify the school if your child is COVID-19 positive. 

Parent & Staff Education and Guidelines

Parents need to be attentive to the daily health of their children and ensure their child is symptom free and safe to attend school each day. Procedures for school clinics will be implemented to screen for symptoms of COVID-19 when symptoms are exhibited by staff or students.

Please do NOT send your child to school if they exhibit any symptoms of COVID-19 including, but not limited to:

• Fever above 100 º F 
• Sore Throat
• New uncontrolled cough that causes difficulty breathing (for students or staff with chronic allergic/asthmatic cough, a change in their cough from baseline)
• Diarrhea, vomiting, or abdominal pain
• New onset of severe headache, especially with fever
• Loss of taste/smell

Staff or students exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 during the school day, as determined by the school nurse, will be safely isolated under appropriate supervision in the school/building until they can leave. 

K-12 COVID-19 Guidance from the Indiana Department of Health

Click here access COVID-19 testing information

Comprehensive list of available COVID-19 vaccines and vaccination sites from the Indiana Department of Health.
Those with difficulty registering online can dial 211 from any phone for assistance.

ESSER III Requirements

ESSER III provides funding to Local Education Agencies (LEAs) through Section 2001 of the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER III) Fund, to address the impact of COVID-19 on elementary and secondary schools.

ESSER III Allocations & Projected Expenses from the June 14, 2021 Board of Education Meeting.

Indiana Department of Education ESSER GEER Dashaboard. 

Per statute, an Local Education Agency (LEA) must include specific information how addresses how it will maintain student and staff health and safety and how it will ensure continuity of services for social-emotional needs, as well as how it meets Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidance, to the greatest extent possible, regarding the following:

• Masks: Masks are optional, but recommended for all students PreK-12 and staff while indoors or on the school bus, regardless of vaccination status. 
• Modifying facilities to allow for physical distancing: Consideration will be made for the physical space within school buildings.
• Handwashing and respiratory etiquette: Frequent handwashing and the use of hand sanitizer will be encouraged at the minimum: upon arrival at school, before and after eating, and after using the restroom. Signage is posted in all district facilities encouraging proper handwashing and respiratory etiquette.
• Cleaning and maintaining healthy facilities, including improving ventilation: The MSD of Lawrence Township has implemented an enhanced cleaning plan. Students and staff will have increased access to hand sanitizer and steps have been taken to increase air quality in all buildings. Click here to read the district enhanced cleaning protocols.
• Contact tracing in combination with isolation and quarantine will take place at the direction of state and local health departments. 
• Diagnostic and screening tests: Testing will take place under the direction and guidance of the Marion County Public Health Department. Staff members can contact the district wellness clinic for testing.
• Efforts to provide vaccinations to the school community: The MSD of Lawrence Township encourages all who are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccination and has hosted an on-site clinic in partnership with Community Health Network. Area clinics have been shared through social media/newsletters, and there is a permanent link to the Indiana Department of Health website which provides a comprehensive lists of available vaccines and vaccination sites. Click here to access the COVID-19 vaccination opportunities page.
• Appropriate accommodations for children with disabilities with respect to health and safety policies: Individual implications of COVID-19 for students with either a 504 or Individualized Education Plan (IEP) will be discussed and decided through parent meetings, case conferences, teacher of record communication, etc.
• Coordination with state and local officials:  All COVID-19 developments are monitored closely, and Dr. Smith is in regular communication with state and local health officials. The MSD of Lawrence Township will be vigilant and will not hesitate to make changes, should they be needed. We remain devoted to our values and our mission of educating all students through innovation and dedication. Any positive cases are reported by the school district the the Marion County Public Health Department. Should the positivity rate in an individual building reach a point of required intervention, action will likely be taken district-wide.

• All in-person extra/co-curricular events or programs K-12 and athletic events for students in grades 6-12 will proceed in accordance with Marion County Public Health Department (MCPHD) guidance.
• Public events will be held in our facilities per requirements of the local and state health department in tandem with the District’s facility use process and procedures.

Below is a list of frequently asked questions around COVID-19 and the operation of school. We ask that questions specific to the operation of a particular building be directed to the building principal.

Click here for CDC Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19

On-site instruction is available to all families five days per week. Instruction is led by the Office of Curriculum and Instruction and implemented by building principals. Communication around student instructional plans will come from the individual school buildings. Those with questions specific to their child's instructional plan should contact their child's teacher or building principal. 
Parents should be sure to have access to ParentSquare to ensure they are receiving all communications.

All students K-12 are 1:1. Students in Kindergarten through Grade 1 have iPads and those in grades 2-12 have Chromebooks.

Families needing device repair should contact their child's school directly. Arrangements will be made for device drop off and pick up.

IT HELP DESK

American Academy of Pediatrics on why eligible children should be vaccinated against COVID-19.

American Academy of Pediatrics: COVID-19 and Kids: How mRNA vaccines work

Indiana Department of Health COVID-19 Data Report

CDC Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention in Schools