Plymouth Community School Corporation Updates

July 30, 2020

Dear PCSC Families,

I am writing with an important update regarding the start of the 2020-2021 school year. Based on a recent recommendation we have received from the Marshall County Health Department to slow the start of in-person school, PCSC will begin the school year virtually for all students.

The plan for the start of school will be as follows:

August 12 - August 21: All students participate virtually.

If you have a new student to PCSC, you will be notified by your student’s school regarding how and when to pick up their iPad.

August 24: Students who are registered for in-person learning will return to school following all previously communicated safety protocols. Students who registered for the virtual option will remain participating virtually.

It is possible if the COVID-19 data we are tracking does not improve to the level needed, some adjustments to this return could occur. These could include a hybrid return where students attend every other day at certain levels OR in a worse case scenario we continue virtually - although I am optimistic that we will be able to return if our current trends continue.

PLEASE NOTE: All students whose parents have selected to participate virtually full time will remain participating virtually at least through the first quarter.

We have been collaborating closely with the MCHD during the changes in our positive cases of COVID-19 in Marshall County. When we experienced the significant rise of positive cases recently, we did begin to question our plans for returning to school from a public health perspective. As those numbers and rates have started to decrease, we are becoming hopeful that an in-person start to school is possible sooner rather than later. However, based on our current rates, MCHD determined it is best to slow down the start of school. As such, we feel the best option is to begin virtually for all students for the first eight days of school. This will allow a little more time to ensure that the downward trend continues to an acceptable level while still starting the school year.

Extracurricular activities that have been operating or have plans to operate, may continue to do so under the direction of their respective administrators. The cohorting that has been able to occur with these groups, along with the other safety measures being implemented, has been helpful in observing effective protocols.

More specific information from your student’s school will be sent soon.

Thank you for your understanding and support as we continue to strive to make the best decisions for our schools and our community.

Sincerely,

Andy Hartley, Superintendent

Estimadas familias de PCSC:

Estoy escribiendo con una actualización importante sobre el inicio del año escolar 2020-2021. Según la recomendación que recibimos del Departamento de Salud del Condado de Marshall para retrasar el inicio del aprendizaje en persona, PCSC comenzará el año escolar prácticamente para todos los estudiantes.

El plan para el inicio de clases será el siguiente:

12 de agosto - 21 de agosto: Todos los estudiantes participan virtualmente.

Si tiene un nuevo estudiante para PCSC, la escuela de su estudiante le notificará sobre cómo y cuándo adquirir su iPad.

24 de agosto: Los estudiantes que están registrados para el aprendizaje en persona regresarán a la escuela siguiendo todos los protocolos de seguridad previamente comunicados.

Es posible si los datos de COVID-19 que estamos rastreando no mejoran al nivel necesario, podrían ocurrir algunos ajustes a este retorno. Estos podrían incluir un retorno híbrido donde los estudiantes asisten cada dos días en ciertos niveles O en el peor de los casos, continuamos virtualmente, aunque estoy optimista de que podremos regresar si nuestras tendencias actuales continúan.

TENGA EN CUENTA: Todos los estudiantes cuyos padres han seleccionado participar virtualmente a tiempo completo seguirán participando virtualmente durante esta transición.

Hemos estado colaborando estrechamente con el MCHD (Departamento de Salud del Condado de Marshall) durante los cambios en nuestros casos positivos de COVID-19 en el Condado de Marshall. Cuando experimentamos el aumento significativo de casos positivos recientemente, comenzamos a cuestionar nuestros planes para regresar a la escuela desde una perspectiva de salud pública. A medida que esos números y tasas han comenzado a disminuir, tenemos la esperanza de que el inicio de la escuela en persona sea posible más temprano que tarde. Sin embargo, según nuestras tarifas actuales, MCHD consideró que era mejor reducir la velocidad del inicio. Para nosotros, creemos que la mejor opción es comenzar virtualmente para todos los estudiantes durante los primeros ocho días de escuela. Esto permitirá un poco más de tiempo para garantizar que la tendencia a la baja continúe a un nivel aceptable mientras se inicia el año escolar.

Las actividades extracurriculares que han estado operando o tienen planes de operar, pueden continuar haciéndolo bajo la dirección de sus respectivos administradores. La cohorte que ha podido ocurrir con estos grupos, junto con los participantes con máscaras, ha sido útil y ha sido un buen ejemplo.

Pronto se enviará más información de la escuela de su hijo.

Gracias por su comprensión y apoyo mientras continuamos esforzándonos por tomar las mejores decisiones para nuestras escuelas y nuestra comunidad.

Sinceramente,

Andy Hartley

July 24, 2020

Dear PCSC Families,

Since yesterday's update presented new information for some of our families to consider relating to the choice for virtual learning, PCSC has decided to extend the Virtual Learning Registration deadline to Sunday, July 26 at 5:00 p.m.

Sincerely,
Andy Hartley, Superintendent

24 de julio, 2020

Estimadas familias de PCSC:

Dado que la actualización de ayer presentó nueva información para algunas de nuestras familias a considerar en relación con la opción de aprendizaje virtual, PCSC ha decidido extender la fecha límite de Inscripción de Aprendizaje Virtual hasta el domingo 26 de julio a las 5:00 p.m. INSCRIPCIÓN DE APRENDIZAJE VIRTUAL DE PCSC

Sinceramente,
Andy Hartley, Superintendente

July 23, 2020

Dear PCSC Families,

In response to a recent policy change from the Indiana High School Athletic Association, PCSC will permit students who are registered for our full-time virtual option to also be eligible to participate in extracurricular activities, as long as those activities are still operating.

Reminder: Use this PCSC Virtual Learning Registration link to register for the PCSC Virtual Learning option by 3:00 p.m. on Friday, July 24.

Sincerely,
Andy Hartley, Superintendent

23 de julio, 2020

Estimadas familias de PCSC:

En respuesta al cambio de política reciente de la Asociación de Atletismo de la Escuela Preparatoria de Indiana, PCSC permitirá que los estudiantes que estén registrados para nuestra opción virtual de tiempo completo también sean elegibles para participar en actividades extracurriculares, siempre y cuando esas actividades continúen operando.

Recordatorio: use este enlace para registrarse en la opción de aprendizaje virtual PCSC antes de las 3:00 del viernes 24 de julio. INSCRIPCIÓN DE APRENDIZAJE VIRTUAL DE PCSC

Sinceramente,

Andy Hartley, Superintendent

July 17, 2020

Dear PCSC Families,
Attached to this email are two important documents pertaining to the start of school for this school year. The first is a detailed description of our plans for returning to school. This includes information relating to the school calendar, virtual learning options for students, transportation, and more. The second document is a summary of those details in a Question and Answer format.

IMPORTANT: If families wish for their child/children to participate in our virtual option, they need to complete the following form by 3:00 p.m. on Friday, July 24, 2020. This form contains many important pieces of information regarding the virtual option for this school year. If you have further questions about this choice, please feel welcome to contact the superintendent’s office or your child’s principal.

PCSC VIRTUAL LEARNING REGISTRATION

All of this can also be found on our website www.plymouth.k12.in.us.

Our experiences with COVID-19 continue to teach us that everything is fluid. Please understand that any aspect of these plans may change. Any changes that do occur will be communicated with you as soon as possible.

Sincerely,
Andy Hartley, Superintendent

17 de julio, 2020

Estimadas familias de PCSC:
Adjunto a este correo electrónico hay dos documentos importantes relacionados con el inicio de clases para este año escolar. La primera es una descripción detallada de nuestros planes para regresar a la escuela. Esto incluye información relacionada con el calendario escolar, opciones de aprendizaje virtual para estudiantes, transporte y más. El segundo documento es un resumen de esos detalles en un formato de preguntas y respuestas.

IMPORTANTE: si las familias desean que sus hijos participen en nuestra opción virtual, deben completar el siguiente formulario antes de las 3:00 p.m. el viernes 24 de julio de 2020. Este formulario contiene muchas piezas importantes de información sobre la opción virtual para este año escolar. Si tiene más preguntas sobre esta opción, no dude en comunicarse con la oficina del superintendente o el director de su hijo.

INSCRIPCIÓN DE APRENDIZAJE VIRTUAL DE PCSC

Todo esto también se puede encontrar en nuestro sitio web www.plymouth.k12.in.us

Nuestras experiencias con COVID-19 continúan enseñándonos que todo es fluido. Por favor, comprenda que cualquier aspecto de este plan puede cambiar. Cualquier cambio que ocurra se comunicará con usted lo antes posible.

Agradecemos el continuo apoyo de PCSC a todos.

Sinceramente,
Andy Hartley, Superintendent

June 30, 2020

Dear PCSC Families,

Everyone’s patience and understanding has been greatly appreciated as you have anticipated information relating to our return to school for the 2020-21 school year. At this time, Plymouth Community Schools is planning to return to in-person instruction on August 12 and follow our current school calendar. Additionally, our summer athletic and extracurricular programs have been given clearance to begin participation according to the guidelines developed by state agencies and our local leaders. These activities, with restrictions, will begin on July 6. Further details will be sent by the PHS Athletic Department.

PCSC has been meeting with school and district leaders, collaborating with the Marshall County Health Department and other Marshall County school districts, and speaking with teachers and parents. A copy of a joint letter from all Marshall County Schools and Marshall County health officials and partners is attached.

An important and final part of this process is to provide the opportunity for all parents to provide input. Please feel welcome to participate in this Parent Survey for Plymouth Community School Corporation. This survey provides us feedback regarding eLearning from the previous school year, as well as some questions relating to the reopening of schools for the 2020-21 school year.

PCSC will be sharing the PCSC Plan for Reopening Schools in the very near future. This will include many more details about our return to school and the health and safety measures that will be taken. In the meantime, if you wish to discuss this process further, please feel free to contact the Superintendent's Office at (574) 936-3115.

Sincerely,

Andy Hartley, Superintendent

Marshall County Letter MCHD Updates

Marshall County Letter MCHD Updates en Español

April 9, 2020

This message is to provide an update on the PCSC eLearning schedule for the remainder of the school year. PCSC will remain having eLearning in the month of May on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays through May 22. Additionally, Tuesday, May 5 will be an eLearning Day in order to ensure we reach 160 instructional days for this academic year.

Read or Print the May eLearning Day Calendar Here.

The week of May 26 may have some coordinated virtual celebrations or events from each school; however, the last eLearning day of the year will be Friday, May 22.

Information about other dates or celebrations and the various ways in which schools will be incorporating these into the school year will be communicated as soon as decisions are made.

March 30, 2020

To those who may have traveled to another state for spring break or another reason and who may have returned or may soon be returning, the Marshall County Health Department and Marshall County Emergency Management is asking you to self-quarantine for 14 days once you arrive back to the area.

The Center for Disease Control does not generally issue advisories or restrictions for travel within the United States. However, cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) have been reported in many states, and some areas are experiencing community spread of the disease. Crowded travel settings, like airports, may increase chances of getting COVID-19, if there are other travelers with coronavirus infection. There are several things folks should consider when deciding whether it is safe for them to travel and upon returning home.

Things to consider before travel:

Is COVID-19 spreading in the area where you’re going?
If COVID-19 is spreading at your destination, but not where you live, you may be more likely to get infected if you travel there than if you stay home. If you have questions about your destination, you should check your destination’s local health department website for more information.
Will you or your travel companion(s) be in close contact with others during your trip?
Your risk of exposure to respiratory viruses like coronavirus may increase in crowded settings, particularly closed-in settings with little air circulation. This may include settings such as conferences, public events (like concerts and sporting events), religious gatherings, public spaces (like movie theatres and shopping malls), and public transportation (like buses, metro, trains).
Are you or your travel companion(s) more likely to get severe illness if you get COVID-19?
People at higher risk for severe disease are older adults and people of any age with serious chronic medical conditions (such as heart disease, lung disease, or diabetes). CDC recommends that travelers at higher risk for COVID-19 complications avoid all cruise travel and nonessential air travel.
Do you have a plan for taking time off from work or school, in case you are told to stay home for 14 days for self-monitoring or if you get sick with COVID-19?
If you have close contact with someone with COVID-19 during travel, you may be asked to stay home to self-monitor and avoid contact with others for up to 14 days after travel. If you become sick with COVID-19, you may be unable to go to work or school until you’re considered noninfectious. You will be asked to avoid contact with others (including being in public places) during this period of infectiousness.
Do you live with someone who is older or has a serious, chronic medical condition?
If you get sick with COVID-19 upon your return from travel, your household contacts may be at risk of infection. Household contacts who are older adults or persons of any age with severe chronic medical conditions are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
Is COVID-19 spreading where I live when I return from travel?
Consider the risk of passing COVID-19 to others during travel, particularly if you will be in close contact with people who are older adults or have severe chronic health condition These people are at higher risk of getting very sick. If your symptoms are mild or you don’t have a fever, you may not realize you are infectious.

March 19, 2020

Dear PCSC Families:

Governor Holcomb announced today that all schools in the State of Indiana are closed until May 1. In response to this, the information that follows includes how Plymouth Community School Corporation is going to schedule eLearning through May 1. Spring Break begins tomorrow and ends Monday, March 30. eLearning will resume on Wednesday, April 1 and will continue every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday through May 1. There will be no eLearning on Friday, April 10 as this is Good Friday and was originally not on our corporation calendar.

Additionally, all activities and events are cancelled through May 1.

Our sack lunch option has been helpful for many. We will continue offering lunches for our students through Spring Break and during the weeks of closure through May 1. Beginning Friday, March 20 along with every weekday during Spring Break and every weekday that follows through May 1, lunches can be picked up between 11 a.m. and 1p.m. at Door 1 at Plymouth High School only. There is no charge for these lunches. If these times do not work for you yet this is still a need, please call 936-3115 and we will work with you. We do not want any of our students going without food during this time.

All of this information will be available on our website and will be posted on social media.

We appreciate everyone’s understanding and patience during this time. If you are in need of any support or resources, you can call 211 or we have a listing of resources on our website, or feel free to call your child’s school or the Administration building and someone will assist you.

Sincerely,

Andy Hartley, Superintendent

20 de marzo de 2020

Estimadas familias:

El gobernador Holcomb anunció ayer que todas las escuelas del estado de Indiana permanecerán cerradas hasta el 1o de mayo. En respuesta a esto, la información que sigue incluye cómo el Distrito Escolar de la Comunidad de Plymouth programará el aprendizaje electrónico hasta el 1o de mayo. Las vacaciones de primavera comenzaron hoy hasta el lunes, 30 de marzo. El aprendizaje electrónico reanudará el miércoles, 1o de abril y continuará todos los lunes, miércoles y viernes hasta el 1o de mayo. No habrá aprendizaje electrónico el viernes, 10 de abril, como es Viernes Santo.

Además, todas las actividades y eventos todavía están cancelados hasta el 1o de mayo.

Nuestra opción de almuerzo ha sido una gran ayuda para muchos. Así que, continuaremos ofreciendo almuerzos para nuestros estudiantes empezando el viernes, 20 de marzo, todos los días durante las vacaciones de primavera y todos los días de la semana hasta el 1o de mayo almuerzos se pueden recoger entre las 11:00 de la mañana hasta las 1:00 de la tarde solamente en Plymouth High School por yendo a puerta no. 1. El almuerzo para su estudiante es gratis. Si esas horas no funcionan para usted y todavía es una necesidad, llame al 936-3115 y trabajaremos con usted. No queremos que ninguno de nuestros estudiantes pase sin comida durante este tiempo.

Toda esta información estará disponible en nuestro sitio web y se publicará en las redes sociales.

Agradecemos la comprensión y la paciencia de todos durante este tiempo. Si necesita ayuda o recursos, puede llamar al 211 o tenemos una lista de recursos en nuestro sitio web, o no dude en llamar a la escuela de su hijo o al edificio de Administración y alguien lo ayudará.

Gracias,

Andy Hartley, Superintendente

March 15, 2020

Superintendent's letter regarding school closings and other important information

Dear Plymouth Community School Corporation Families,

I am writing as a follow-up to our recently announced school closings.

First, I would like to apologize if you did not receive the initial call that made our announcement. We are looking into this and hope to have that remedied.

School Closure Information:
All PCSC schools are closed Monday, March 16.

eLearning will begin on Tuesday, March 17 and continue through Thursday, March 19.

All scheduled activities, practices, or events are cancelled through the end of Spring Break.

As a reminder, the PCSC Spring Break begins Friday, March 20 and will last through Monday, March 30.

As of now, each school office and the corporation office will be open during normal school hours Monday through Thursday of this coming week. If you need to pick up any of your child’s materials from school (iPad, instruments, etc), please call your respective school’s office to make those arrangements.

Plymouth High School - 936-2178
Lincoln Junior High School - 936-3113
Riverside Intermediate - 936-3787
Jefferson Elementary - 936-2443
Menominee Elementary - 936-2001
Washington Discovery Academy - 936-4072
Webster Elementary - 936-2520

We will continue to monitor and evaluate the overall situation as it relates to our status after Spring Break. As decisions are made, they will be communicated to you.

The days we are closed without eLearning will not need to be made up at the end of the year.

Food Service Information:
School lunches are still going to be offered as a takeout option for any student Monday through Thursday of next week. They will be sack lunches and will be available for pickup at the following locations from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Plymouth High School - 936-2178
Washington Discovery Academy - 936-4072
Webster Elementary - 936-2520

You may stop at any of these locations, even if it isn’t your child’s school. If these times do not work for you yet this is still a need, please call the number next to the school from which you intend to get the sack lunches and we will work with you.
You will receive enough lunches for each PCSC student in your household to have a lunch for the remainder of what would have been the school week.
Those students who participate in the Cultivate or Blessings in a Backpack program will be contacted in order to arrange for your child to receive those resources.

Additional Information:
We will continue to monitor the overall situation through numerous communications from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as the Indiana State Department of Health, Indiana Department of Education, the Marshall County Health Department, and Saint Joseph Health Systems.

Everyone with whom we speak and every message we receive is communicating that the best preventive measure anyone can take is to practice good hygiene. This is something that is continuously communicated. The most effective practices include the following:

1.   Wash our hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, then use a hand sanitizer.
2.   Cover our mouths and nose when coughing or sneezing. Doing so into our elbows is the best way to do this.
3.   Avoid touching our eyes, nose, or mouth as germs are often spread after touching something that is contaminated and then touching our eyes, nose, or mouth.
4.   Avoid close contact with people who are ill. This also includes our responsibility to stay at home or have our kids stay at home if they are sick.
5.   Practice social distancing and avoid gatherings of 250 or more.

Please know that we have an excellent janitorial staff who has already been doing more during this flu season trying to ensure common touch areas are cleaned and disinfected regularly. This will continue. Additionally, our bus drivers throughout the past week disinfected their buses after each day’s route.

Additionally, with Spring Break approaching, if you are still planning to travel, we just ask that you are aware of the locations with specific travel recommendations from the CDC.

In conclusion, please know that we will continue to monitor this and will maintain communication with our local health experts. If other necessary information becomes available, we will be sure to communicate with you.

Sincerely,

Andy Hartley, Superintendent

Estimadas familias del Distrito Escolar de la Comunidad de Plymouth,

Estoy escribiendo como un seguimiento de nuestro cerramiento de escuelas recientemente anunciado.

Primero, me gustaría disculparme si no recibió la llamada inicial que se envió. Estamos investigando esto y esperamos corregirlo.

Cierre de escuela información:
Todas nuestras escuelas están cerradas el lunes, 16 de marzo

El aprendizaje electrónico comenzará el martes, 17 de marzo y continuará hasta el jueves, 19 de marzo.

Todas las actividades, prácticas, entrenamientos o eventos programados después de la escuela están cancelados hasta después de las vacaciones de primavera.

Recordatorio que las vacaciones de primavera comienzan el viernes, 20 de marzo hasta el lunes, 30 de marzo.

Hasta ahora, cada oficina escolar y la oficina del distrito estará abierta durante el horario escolar normal de lunes a jueves de esta semana. Si necesita recoger algún material (iPad, instrumentos, etc.), llame a la oficina de su escuela para hacer esos arreglos. Cada oficina escolar y la oficina del distrito estarán abiertos durante el horario escolar normal de lunes a jueves la próxima semana.

Plymouth High School - 936-2178
Lincoln Junior High School - 936-3113
Riverside Intermediate - 936-3787
Jefferson Elementary - 936-2443
Menominee Elementary - 936-2001
Washington Discovery Academy - 936-4072
Webster Elementary - 936-2520

Continuaremos observando y evaluando la situación general en lo que se refiere a nuestro estado después de las vacaciones de primavera. A medida que se tomen las decisiones, se comunicarán con usted.

Los días en que escuela se canceló sin tener días de aprendizaje electrónico no tendrán que ser recuperados al final del año escolar.

Información de Alimentos
Los almuerzos escolares todavía se ofrecerán como comida para llevar para todos estudiantes de lunes a jueves la próxima semana. La comida para llevar estará disponible para recoger en los siguientes lugares de las 11:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

Plymouth High School - 936-2178
Washington Discovery Academy - 936-4072
Webster Elementary - 936-2520

Si esas horas no funciona para usted y todavía es una necesidad, favor de llamar al número de la escuela donde usted quiere obtener los almuerzos y trabajaremos con usted. No queremos que ninguno de nuestros estudiantes pase sin comida durante este tiempo.

Familias recibirán suficientes almuerzos para cada estudiante que asiste nuestras escuelas.

Los estudiantes que participan en el programa Cultivar o Blessings in a Backpack se contactaran para que su hijo/a reciba esos recursos.

Información Adicional:
Continuaremos observando la situación general a través de numerosas comunicaciones de los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades (CDC), así como del Departamento de Salud del Estado de Indiana, el Departamento de Educación de Indiana, el Departamento de Salud del Condado de Marshall y Saint Joseph Health Systems.

Todas las personas con quienes hablamos y cada mensaje que recibimos están comunicando que la mejor medida para reducir la propagación de enfermedades es practicar buena higiene. Esto es algo que es comunicado continuamente. Las prácticas más efectivas incluyen lo siguiente:

1.   Lavar las manos a menudo con agua y jabón. Si no hay agua y jabón disponibles, use un desinfectante de manos.
2.   Cubrir nuestra boca y nariz al toser o estornudar. Toser o estornudar en nuestros codos es la mejor manera de hacerlo.
3.   Evitar tocarse los ojos, la nariz o la boca ya que los gérmenes a menudo se propagan después de tocar algo contaminado y luego toca sus ojos, nariz o boca.
4.   Evitar el contacto cercano con personas enfermas. Esto también incluye nuestra responsabilidad de quedarnos en casa o que nuestros hijos se queden en casa si están enfermos.
5.   Practicar distanciamiento social y evite las reuniones de 250 o más.

Tenga en cuenta que tenemos un excelente personal de limpieza que ya han estado haciendo más durante esta temporada de gripe tratando de garantizar que las áreas superficies u objetos están limpios y desinfectados regularmente. Además, nuestros conductores de autobuses durante la semana pasada estaban desinfectando sus autobuses después de cada ruta.

Además, con las vacaciones de primavera acercándose, si planea viajar, solo le pedimos que conozca los lugares con recomendaciones de viaje específicas del CDC.

En conclusión, sepa que mantendremos comunicación con nuestros expertos locales de salud. Si otra información necesaria llega a estar disponible, nos aseguraremos de compartirlo con usted.

Gracias,

Andy Hartley, Superintendente