FAQs: 2023-24 school year

There will NOT be early dismissal at the start of the 2023-24 school year. Starting the first day, we will have regular full-length school days, five days a week (aside from exceptions noted on the school year calendar).

• First student day: 
  • Grades K-12: Aug. 9
  • Preschool: Aug. 14 (orientation / open houses will be set soon, and families will be sent a packet of information)
    
    
• Late drop-off, kindergarten only, Aug. 9-11
  For the first three days, kindergartners start late, at 8 a.m.! Your teacher will be outside your school building to greet students and walk the class in. Regular start time starting Aug. 14 is 7:45 a.m.
  
  
• Scheduled e-learning days (students will not come to school buildings; they will be assigned work to complete at home with school iPads and/or other provided materials as needed)
  • There are three e-learning days currently scheduled during the 2023-24 school year: Sept. 22, Nov. 1, Feb. 5.  
  • The School Board has approved up to five e-learning days for weather-related building closures. If any more closures were to be required, make-up days would be added at the end of the school year. 
    
    

• Students will attend school on campus five days a week (except as otherwise noted). The school day start and end times remain the same:

  • Preschool: morning classes 7:45 to 10:35 a.m.; afternoon classes 11:25 a.m. to 2:25 p.m.; full-day classes: 7:45 a.m. to 2:25 p.m.  

  • Grades K-4: Doors open at 7:20; classes run 7:45 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.

  • Grades 5-6: 

    • M-F: Doors open at 8:35 a.m.; classes run 8:50 a.m. to 3:40 p.m.

  • Grades 7-8: 

    • M-F: Doors open at 8:30 a.m.; classes run 8:50 a.m. to 3:40 p.m.

  • Grades 9-12: 

    • M-F: Doors open at 8:30 a.m.; classes run 8:45 a.m. to 3:55 p.m. 

  • PLEASE NOTE: Students will not be allowed into the building before the building opening times stated above. Walkers and car-riders should not arrive at the building early unless they are prepared to wait outside.

Quarantine requirements do remain in place for those testing positive for COVID-19:

• 5-day quarantine (day zero is the day your symptoms started, or if no symptoms, the day you tested positive)
• May return to school on day 6 if no fever for 24 hours without fever reducing medication AND other symptoms have improved
• NOTE: Extra careful symptom monitoring and mask use at all times must continue through day 10 

Students should communicate with teachers, who will work with them so they can complete and submit all school work in a reasonably timely fashion. 

Current public health guidance does not advise the need for other precautionary requirements at this time. We will maintain clear and consistent communication with families regarding any changes. It is very important that we have current contact information on file for your family. If your email or phone number changes, please inform your school office immediately.

Public health officials tell us that the COVID-19 vaccine is the BEST tool we have to prevent COVID-19! Anyone 6 months and older is eligible now. Want to get vaccinated but aren't sure how? To schedule your vaccine, contact your local healthcare provider to ask whether they have the vaccine available, or click here to schedule your appointment at the Grant County Health Department or other locations. Have questions about the vaccine? Here is a great FAQ.

The following precautions are still in place at Marion Community Schools:

• Students, staff, and visitors continue to be allowed to wear masks if they choose to do so.
• We will continue to provide hand sanitizer in classrooms, cafeterias, and hallways.
• High touch surfaces and equipment will be regularly disinfected, and shared materials, equipment, and spaces will be cleaned appropriately.
• We will provide a separate room within each of our buildings to isolate anyone during a school day who develops COVID-19 associated symptoms that are not otherwise explained, until the time they can leave the building, which should be as quickly as possible. This will be separate from our nurse’s stations. It will be used and monitored in accordance with Indiana State Department of Health and Indiana Department of Education guidelines.
• Medically fragile students and those with chronic health conditions should discuss their concerns with their health care provider. 
• All regular immunization requirements are still in place. It is very important to make sure your child is up to date on all required immunizations. Click here for the list of required immunizations. 

All students grades K-12 will be assigned a school-owned iPad for the 2023-24 school year. 

• All onsite students grades K-4 will be assigned an iPad for use at school. These devices will remain at school unless otherwise assigned for e-learning or specific assignments.

• All onsite students grades 5-12 will be assigned an iPad for use at school, and will be allowed to take their device home every day, unless otherwise communicated by their teacher(s).

• All MCS iPads are governed by MCS filtering regardless of where they are being used, and parents have additional options for management of the device for additional restrictions.

• Take home use of a school-owned iPad is governed by a device agreement in which students and families accept certain responsibilities. Click here to view the full agreement.

• Marion Community Schools offers locations throughout the community where our school internet network can be accessed using school-provided devices. Click here for a list of those locations.

• Click here for our Technology FAQs with more information on iPad usage and more

Regular security guidelines are in place, which limits access to our school buildings during the school day for anyone other than staff and students.

• Volunteers: Student teachers / practicum students will be allowed; other community partners may be allowed with pre-approval.
• Visitors, including students’ family members, are asked to make appointments or provide advanced notice. Please call your school office before coming to the school building. In general, lunch visitation will not be allowed. 
• Drop off of items for students should be limited only to items that are absolutely essential. Please do your best to see to it that students have everything they need with them when they enter the building each day. (Note: In general, food deliveries will not be accepted by school offices for staff or students. Gifts such as balloons, celebration cakes, and flowers will not be accepted.)
• Use of MCS facilities by outside groups or individuals: We will continue to work with groups with which we have formal ongoing partnerships to determine usage availability and requirements. Other requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. 

• School supply lists and other information can be found in our Enrollment section (click here).
• Athletics information can be found at mariongiantssports.com.