Coronavirus Impact: LPHS Update
March 26, 2020
Information for LPHS Families
LPHS Parents & Guardians,
This continues to be an extraordinary time. The unexpected impact of the novel coronavirus is changing the way we live our daily lives. I recognize that our students, staff, and parents are feeling a wide range of emotions and dealing with the uncertainty in different ways. I think it's important to recognize and express those feelings and emotions while not letting them govern our lives. I remain hopeful and optimistic and think that we will get through this time together. Remember, you are not alone.
Now that we've completed the second week of the eLearning schedule, I hope students and parents can enjoy a few days of being "unplugged." Many of our students are adapting and keeping up on the assigned work. They are demonstrating many of the employability skills that we refer to often at LaPorte High School: problem solving, self discipline, work ethic, time management, adaptability, and much more. Well done and thank you for stepping up!
I hope parents find the following updates helpful as we navigate the coronavirus pandemic and eLearning schedule. As I reflect on what's happening around me right now, I want to express how grateful I am for LaPorte Schools and the greater LaPorte Community. There are amazing folks doing amazing work to serve one another during this uncertain season.
I hope that over the next few days you will be able to take a break from screen time and eLearning. Stay safe and healthy!
Ben Tonagel, Principal
School Activities, Prom, & Graduation
IHSAA
- The Spring sports season is still planning to continue in an abbreviated form. The season is contingent upon a return to a normal school schedule after May 1 which means the earliest any spring sports can begin is May 7. This is due to a health and safety rule to prepare student-athletes for competition.
Music
- The Spring concerts (after May 4) will continue as planned as long as we return to a normal schedule.
Performing Arts "Oliver" auditions have been rescheduled (contingent upon return to normal schedule):
- May 5th - 3pm to 5pm and 6pm to 8pm (for students grade 9 and older fall 2020)
- May 7th- 6pm to 8pm (for student grade 4-8 fall 2020)
Understandably, many are worried about prom and graduation. No decisions have been made about prom or graduation at this time. We are continuing to be hopeful that all will go on as planned, but we are concerned about the effect of social distancing. We know how important events like the prom and graduation are to students and the high school experience. They are milestone moments that we all look forward to celebrating together. We are hopeful that we will be able to recognize them in some way. There are no easy decisions, but we will continue to monitor the evolving situation and think about how we might be able to adjust to the situation that we are faced with as a school.
LPCSC Technology Support
Students who are having any chromebook issues should contact elearning@lpcsc.k12.in.us. The technology staff will try addressing the issue through email and/or phone. If a device needs to be replaced, a time will be scheduled with the parent to bring the device to the technology office at 205 Rumely Street to get a loaner.
Please note that students/parents are encouraged to contact classroom teachers directly about Canvas and/or electronic textbook accounts and access.
Meal Service and Free Pizza
Also, Dominos Pizza has graciously donated hundreds of free pizzas on certain weekends to LP families. Check the LPCSC Facebook for announcements about these special pizza events.
SRT, Teacher, and Counselor Office Hours Are Here For You
Students are reminded that teachers and counselors have the following office hours during the scheduled eLearning days. Students should utilize Canvas to communicate with teachers and counselors. Parents can use email.
- 10:00am-11:00am & 12:45pm-2:45pm
Also, students are encouraged to check their SRT Canvas pages for important information regarding college and career readiness and Social Emotional Learning (SEL). Information and activities are provided to students to help fulfill key graduation and post secondary requirements and manage this extraordinary time. Seniors are reminded that the Ivy Tech college credit course is still running as a part of their SRT activities and opportunity to earn college credit.
Libraries 360
Students who need help accessing their account can check with a classroom teacher or contact Mrs. Chris Taylor at LPHS ctaylor@lpcsc.k12.in.us
Homework Help and Classroom Resources
Rose Hulman Homework Help: Rose Hulman has extended its hours for tutoring in math and science for students grades 6-12. Go to www.askrose.org or call 877- Ask Rose (877-275-7673).
Khan Academy: Online learning in math, science, and literacy for all age groups. Standards-aligned. Free.
Edgefactor provides an opportunity for students to discover industries, careers, and career pathways, learn soft skills, be inspired by stories of real-life people pushing back the edge, and much more.
ACT Academy: ACT Academy is a free online learning resource for students
seeking to improve their academic skills through individualized learning plans.
State Assessments Cancelled
The Indiana Department of Education announced the cancellation of all Spring 2020 assessments. The main impact is ISTEP testing at the high school. This does not include AP exams. Please read the section on changes to this May's AP exam testing. AP is handled through the College Board, not the IDOE.
College Board Advanced Placement
Canvas Parent Observer Account
What is a Parent Observer Account?
Parents and guardians have access to Canvas, the learning management system used by the La
Porte Community School Corporation. Canvas is an online hub that allows teachers and faculty
to engage students in one place. A Canvas parent observer account enables parents and
guardians to observe activities and grades assigned by teachers within Canvas.
Family Connectivity Resources (from the IDOE)
Charter Communications announced on March 13, 2020 that for 60 days the company will offer free Spectrum broadband and Wi-Fi access to homes with K-12 and/or college students who do not already have a subscription. Installation fees will also be waived for these households. Enroll by calling 844-488-8395. Charter will also continue Spectrum Internet Assist, a program offering low-cost broadband internet of 30 Mbps for low-income households without school-aged children.
Comcast, which owns Xfinity, will offer 60 days free and increased speeds for new families who join the Internet Essentials program, an internet access program for low income families that is normally $9.95 a month.
AT&T announced on Friday it would not cancel service and would waive late fees for any wireless, home phone, broadband residential or small business customer experiencing hardships because of the coronavirus pandemic and can't pay their bills. Qualifying low income households can apply for $10 a month internet access through the Access from AT&T program. Fixed Wireless Internet and Wireline customers can use unlimited internet data. AT&T will also keep public Wi-Fi hotspots open.
2020-2021 Scheduling Updates
Parents & students: We will continue to work together to navigate through this uneasy time and semester. Plans for the 2020-2021 school year are still underway. Student's course requests for the 2020-2021 school year are now available to view in Skyward. Instructions for viewing your requests can be found by clicking here. Please review your requests thoroughly to ensure the courses you selected are listed.
If you would like to make a change, this request must be made to your counselor via the “2020-2021 Course Change Request” Google Form by April 3. After this date, the high school will be generating the master schedule for next year and changing courses will only be made if there has been an error in computer entry.
As we were not able to complete all of the make-up scheduling meetings before leaving, the school counselors have reached out to individual students who are still in need of course requests for next year via a Canvas message. We ask that all students please login to Canvas and check their "inbox" for important messages from both teachers and school counselors.
Please know that your school counselors are here for you during this challenging time. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us via email or Canvas. Contact information is listed below.
21st Century Scholar Enrollment
The Commission has announced that no student who is unable to complete a Scholar Success Program activity due to COVID-19 illness or disruption will be denied the 21st Century Scholarship. Also, the ACT/SAT requirement for the Class of 2020 is being waived due to the COVID 19 disruption. Juniors in the program are still expected to fulfill the testing requirement next academic year.
Parents can contact the program's Outreach Coordinators about any 21st Century Scholar questions.