Friday Message
January 29, 2021
A Message from Dr. Ryan Glaze, Superintendent, Tipton Community School Corporation
Update from Dr. Ryan Glaze Superintendent, Tipton Community School Corporation
On Tuesday, inclement weather and dangerous road conditions necessitated the decision to cancel in-person classes and shift to our eLearning format for the day. It went well. I suspect this won’t be our last brush with winter weather. Thank you for your cooperation and flexibility to shift quickly. Future weather-related delays or closures will be posted as soon as possible on the corporation’s social media sites: Twitter (@TiptonSchools), Facebook, Tipton Community School Corporation’s website, and/or the local media outlets. To access our Winter Weather E-Learning Day protocols click here.
Also, on Tuesday, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a message that said children should return to classrooms because it’s safe for them to do so. The agency said the “preponderance of available evidence” indicated that in-person instruction could be carried out safely as long as mask-wearing and social distancing were maintained. Moreover, researchers found “little evidence that schools have contributed meaningfully to increased community transmission” when proper safety precautions were followed.
This essentially aligns with what we have seen over the past year and supports our efforts to keep our buildings open and students in class as long as it is safe to do so. With that said, the CDC noted an important caveat that will still require limits in other community settings as well as making tough decisions about indoor sports practices and attendance numbers. The bottom line is by following good data and policy we are making positive strides in the right direction.
In other related news, Tipton County’s COVID-19 threat level advisory has been downgraded to the orange level, along with numerous other counties in Indiana. Metrics are indicating a downward trend in positivity and transmission rates. In addition, effective Monday, February 1, TCSC can begin allocating up to six (6) tickets per participant for athletic and other specialty events.
Click here to access the ISDH COVID-19 dashboard and map. https://www.coronavirus.in.gov/2393.htm The updated Indiana County Guidelines by Color can be found here and here to read the Pre-K-12 Recommendations based on Level of Community Spread issued this week.
I would like to share a note of appreciation to our bus drivers, frontline heroes who put their health second to their focus on the students they are transporting, or food and homework supplies they are delivering. They have done an amazing job ensuring the children are safe daily. Their genuine care and concern is reflected in their voices over the bus radio in the mornings and afternoon. I am proud of our driving staff as well as the people behind the scenes who help keep our transportation department running smoothly amid this pandemic. Thank you to TESO for sponsoring bus driver appreciation week starting Monday and thank you again drivers.
In other good news, the Lady Blue Devils Basketball team has had a great season with some big wins. They head into sectional play offs next Friday, February 5. WHMB TV-40’s airs its Sports Game of the Week tonight where the Tipton Blue Devils take on the Hamilton Heights Huskies on our home court! Broadcast begins at 7:20 p.m. I also want to congratulate our Blue Devil girls and boys swim team who placed 3rd and 2nd place respectively in our conference tournament and have broken so many school records it hard to keep track! It’s a great time to be a Blue Devil! Go Blue Devils! #TiptonPride
Does your child have a temperature over 100 degrees?
Does your child display any other symptoms or signs of illness?
Has your child been a close contact (within 6 feet for 15 minutes of someone infected)?
If the answer is yes to any of these, DO NOT SEND THEM TO SCHOOL!
Calendar Updates
February 1-Expanded Spectators at After School Activities
February 8-eLearning Professional Development Day
February 15-Make-up Day-President's Day-Student report for in-person learning