Editor's Note: This story is part of The Partnership Project, a series of content written in an effort by The Daily News to follow the formal collaboration of Ball State University and Muncie Community Schools. Read more in this series here.
Starting March 16, all schools in the Muncie Community Schools district will observe e-learning instruction, said CEO of MCS, Lee Ann Kwiatkowski, in a letter addressed to families of MCS students, faculty and staff.
E-learning instruction will be observed at least until April 3.
Additionally, effective at the end of Friday, March 13, she said all co-curricular and extracurricular activities, events and practices are canceled until further notice. All facility rentals are also suspended until further notice.
SAT testing will still be conducted Saturday, March 14, for the small number of students registered.
Schedule for E-learning:
E-learning instruction will last until March 20, following which MCS students will not report to school or have classwork to complete on account of spring break.
From March 30-April 3, all schools will once again observe e-learning instruction.
On March 30, learning packets will be delivered via bus routes through the Auxilio bus service at regular bus stops. Packets completed by students from March 16-20 will be picked up and lesson packets for March 30-April 3 will be distributed to students.
These lesson packets will also be available at the front office at each school.
Following April 3, Kwiatkowski said MCS will continue monitoring the situation over the next three weeks and communicate decisions as they are made.
Internet and electronic access:
For new low-income customers, Comcast is offering Internet Essentials for free, Kwiatkowski said.
While students will have access to Schoology, the platform used for e-learning instruction, students may have an option for receiving packets in the event electronic access is not available, she said.
Teachers will engage in conversations with students through phone calls and emails to assist with lessons. They will report on days assigned by the school principals to prepare packets and lessons for March 30-April 3.
Food packets:
Chartwells K12, the MCS food service provider, will have grab-and-go meals. All MCS families may access any of the following locations to pick up meals:
- Longfellow Elementary School
- Central High School
- Northside Middle School
- Southside Middle School
Breakfast and lunch meals can be picked up at the following times:
- Breakfast: 7:30-8:30 a.m.
- Lunch: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Kwiatkowski urged MCS families to take advantage of this program.
“This decision is precautionary. To date, Delaware County Health Department reported the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 remains at zero,” she said. “The health and safety of our students remains our top priority.”
Since the situation is very fluid, Kwiatkowski said MCS will modify its plans as needed, to protect the health and safety of its students and employees.
Here's the complete letter sent out by Kwiatkowski Friday afternoon:
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