Many local students are returning to class today. It’s the first day of school for the Eastern Pulaski, North Judson-San Pierre, West Central, and Culver Community school corporations.
In a video yesterday, Eastern Pulaski Superintendent Dara Chezem said students can expect to wear masks for much of the school day. “If your child forgets their mask, we have disposable masks available, as well as washable masks that we will be handing out,” she said. “Students can also choose to wear their own mask from home. Teachers have been asked to schedule mask breaks throughout the day, when students can social distance more than six feet apart outside.”
Efforts have also been taken to spread kids out throughout the day. “The custodial and maintenance staff have changed out tables in classrooms for student desks, in order to increase spacing,” Chezem said. “We also borrowed nearly 200 desks from area schools, so that we can increase our spacing in the cafeterias. We’ll be using the balcony and the cafeteria for lunches in the middle school and high school, and we’ll be using the gym and cafeteria for lunches in the elementary.”
Chezem said Eastern Pulaski has been able to buy cleaning supplies and protective equipment with CARES Act funding, as well as local donations. She also urged parents to screen their kids every day for COVID-19 symptoms and keep them home if they’re sick.
