INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) — This school year is not yet over and IPS is busy planning for next year. Parents will help decide how schools protect students and employees from COVID-19.
Indianapolis Public Schools are supposed to reopen in about 9 weeks. Administrators want to know what it will take to convince parents that schools are safe enough to send their kids back to class.
"We need to know what is top of mind for our families and parents," said Superintendent Aleesia Johnson. The district will begin emailing and texting parents links to an online questionnaire.
"What conditions, if any, would either encourage and make them feel as safe as possible and confident as possible in their child returning for in-person learning?" Johnson asked.
The school district's early plans include an e-learning option for parents who don't want children back in a classroom or riding buses.
There will also be new safety procedures to keep kids 6 feet apart on buses, in classrooms, cafeteria's and hallways.
IPS is buying 21,000 more computers to make it easier for kids to learn from home. Social distancing will be the biggest problem to overcome. School buildings and curriculums are built on students collaborating, sharing and working together.
Federal grants will help schools pay the cost of the changes as a result of COVID-19. IPS is getting $16.5 million, but administrators doubt that will be enough.
Just hand sanitizer for 35,000 students, teachers and other employees is expected to cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.