We are in a state of constant flux this year! We are still planning to start school on time and keep things as normal as possible during these abnormal times. Here are some updates:

Loosening of Mask Requirement - On 7/30/2020 the Governor revised the student mask requirement. All students, regardless of age, are still required to wear masks while riding school transportation. All students in grades 3-12 are required to wear masks in the building. More freedom has been granted in the following ways.

Students do not have to wear a mask:

• While eating and/or drinking
• In instructional settings where 6 feet of social distancing can be maintained

• New: In instructional settings where at least 3 feet of social distancing can be maintained and students are all facing the same direction (during some classroom instruction and seatwork, students can remove their masks according to these guidelines)

• While at recess when social distancing can be maintained
• When engaged in strenuous physical activity

We know there will be a learning curve with masks. Educationally we now have more flexibility to allow students to take masks off and on as needed to ease into this temporary reality.

Water Bottles - Based on CDC guidelines, drinking fountains are turned off. We will have water bottle filling stations. Students should bring refillable water bottles to stay hydrated.

West Central Community,

The seemingly endless summer of 2020 is coming to an end. It will be a year like no other, but we want to keep things as normal as possible for our students as we head back to school.

Registration will begin online at https://www.wcsc.k12.in.us/registration-info on July 29 and end on August 4. In person registration for returning and new students will be August 3 from 8:00am-3:00pm and August 4 from 1:00pm-7:00pm at the school’s respective offices.

West Central will offer both in person and online instruction. If you would like to take part in online instruction, please contact your building principal no later than August 4. Elementary students who commit to online instruction will need to commit for the first 9 weeks. High school students will need to commit to a full semester. It will look different from our instruction during April and May, and we believe it is a high-quality option for students.

That being said, we strongly recommend in-person instruction. We believe it provides the most effective environment for both academic and social-emotional learning. We understand there will be inconveniences. We have done our best to create a reopening plan to reduce risk while keeping the school environment as close to normal as possible.

Thank you for your patience as we've developed a plan to bring students back to school in August. A committee of stakeholders met during the months of June and July and worked on a county-wide plan collaboratively with Eastern Pulaski Schools and the County Health Department.

The committee also drafted specific guidelines for West Central's campus, which are listed here (West Central's Plan for Reopening). With the current low case count in our area and the proper precautions, we believe we can safely bring students back to campus and provide a quality education for our community.

We hope to see you in person, but will offer an option for families who desire an online only option. Contact your child's building principal for more information, as this plan will develop based on need.

Thank you again for your patience and support as we work through these unprecedented times.

Dan Zylstra, Superintendent
West Central School Corporation