Spring break is around the corner and the timing is good for an important update on four important topics.

• February 16 Snow Day—NO Make-up Day Required: Our students enjoyed a rare snow day on Tuesday, February 16. Snow days are required to be made-up except in special circumstances, one of those being if the school corporation is high performing. Since Brownsburg Community School Corporation is the highest achieving school corporation in Indiana, we qualified to waive instructional time. We do value instructional time and this is not a path we would typically pursue; however, with COVID and the wide appeal of starting summer as soon as possible, we will not make-up the school day. The last day for students remains Thursday, May 27.
  
  

• COVID Update: BCSC’s numbers continue to reflect what is happening in our state and country. The numbers have decreased dramatically, and while we are not ready to claim victory over the virus, we are in a much better place now than we were in November, December and January. Below is the latest trend data. Additionally, the reduction from six feet to three feet to quarantine students in the classroom has significantly reduced the number of students quarantined. Approximately 50% fewer students are being quarantined per each positive case under the recently released guidelines from the CDC. (BCSC data is available on the state portal at: https://www.coronavirus.in.gov/2393.htm - Click the School Tab)

• NEW Student Enrollment for 2021-2022 School Year: Some families elected to delay the enrollment for their incoming kindergarten students for the 2020-2021 school year, while others new to our community have elected to conclude the current school year online in their previous school corporation. Most of these students will eventually enroll in BCSC for the 2021-2022 school year. Some are delaying enrollment until plans are finalized for the upcoming school year. (See more on that below.) Currently, we are in the midst of making staffing and hiring decisions that will impact class sizes for the upcoming school year and an accurate enrollment allows us to make those important decisions. If you have neighbors or friends that are holding off enrolling their new students for the upcoming school year, please encourage them to enroll now. (Please note this is only for students who are new to BCSC—either as kindergarten students or attending our schools for the first time.) New BCSC students CLICK HERE to enroll.
  
  

• RETURNING Student Registration for 2021-2022 School Year: The most frequent question I receive is, “What do you think next school year will look like?”. Other questions range from “Will the students have to wear masks?” to “Will there be an online option for families?”. These are understandable questions, but unfortunately, we do not have enough information to answer at this time. We are in the process of gathering information, consulting with health professionals and observing current trends—all of which change daily. We have established the School Board meeting on June 14 to make as many decisions as possible regarding the upcoming school year. Once those decisions have been made, we will promptly communicate with all our families. Regardless of your student’s current status (At Home or in-person), to secure your returning student’s enrollment for next year, you must complete online registration. The link to complete that registration will be sent to all current families on Friday, March 12.

Sincerely,

Jim Snapp
Superintendent