FAQs: 2022-23 school year

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  2. FAQs: 2022-23 school year

NOTE: This information will be updated as needed in line with public health guidance.

>> Looking for school supply lists, school fees, back to school events, or enrollment information? Click here! 

>> For kindergarten-specific questions (in addition to the FAQs below that apply to all), please click here


Has the structure of the onsite school day changed?

There will again be early dismissal the first three days (Aug. 10-12). Grades K-4 will be dismissed at 1:15 p.m. Grades 5-12 will be dismissed at 2:40 p.m. After that, we will return to 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. 10
    • Preschool: Aug. 15 (orientation / open houses will be set soon, and families will be sent a packet of information)
       
  • Late drop-off, kindergarten only, Aug. 10-12
    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. 
     
  • Early dismissal Aug. 10-12 (to enable us to review and make any needed adjustments)
    • Grades K-4, 1:15 p.m. dismissal 
    • Grades 5-12, 2:40 p.m. dismissal
       
  • 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 2022-23 school year: Aug. 19, Aug. 26, Oct. 7. (A fourth e-learning day had been scheduled, but was removed when a revised calendar was approved by the School Board on July 26.) 
    • 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. 
       
  • The rest of the school year calendar remains unchanged at this time. You can view the full calendar here. 
     

  • 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.

      • no late start day this year!

    • Grades 7-8: 

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

      • no late start day this year!

    • Grades 9-12: 

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

      • no late start day this year!

    • 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 and safely distance themselves from others.
       

  • Quarantines will continue to be used to prevent the spread of COVID-19, in accordance with current public health guidance. If a significant number of staffers are required to quarantine, it is possible that logistical concerns could also affect school operations. We will communicate any such updates to our families.

 

Is there before- and after-school care available?

  • For the 2022-23 school year, the YMCA will continue to provide latchkey, holiday and emergency childcare. If you want to use these services, you must register and make payment arrangements with the YMCA. Call 765-664-0544 for more information

     

Will school be onsite or online?

Our primary and default education option at Marion Community Schools for the 2021-22 school year will be in-person school five days a week. In general, students are expected to attend in-person. There will be no long-term virtual learning options, aside from students who are enrolled in standing programs that include such options, such as the CSA Arts Academy, or credit recovery options. 

NOTE: Online education and other at-home learning will still be used as appropriate for individual students for short-term COVID-19 related absences or other home-bound situations at the school's discretion, as well as scheduled e-learning days during the school year (see the school year calendar here). We are currently considering whether to continue to use e-learning days for weather-related building closures. We will update families on this as soon as possible.
 

Will there be e-learning days?

There are a few scheduled e-learning days during the school year (see the school year calendar here). We are currently considering whether to continue to use e-learning days for weather-related building closures. We will update families on this as soon as possible. 
 

Are there any COVID-19 precautions in place?

Quarantine requirements do remain in place for those testing positive for COVID-19 or experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. Click here for current guidelines. Teachers will work with our students to complete and submit all school work in a reasonably timely fashion. We will partner with families to ensure learning opportunities do not stop for quarantined students.

Current public health guidance does not advise the need for other precautionary requirements at this time. It is possible that these guidelines will change, and we will update this information as needed. 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. 
     

Will students be provided with take-home devices for education?

All students grades K-12 will be assigned a school-owned iPad for the 2021-22 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.
     

  • 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

 

Will visitors be allowed in the building?

Until further notice, we will limit access to our school buildings during the school day for anyone other than staff and students.

  • Volunteers: All mask and distancing requirements will apply to all volunteers. Student teachers / practicum students will be allowed, as we work with our university partners to maximize safety; other community partners may be allowed with pre-approval; all will be required to adhere to staff health and safety guidelines.
     
  • 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. All groups or individuals using school facilities must adhere to all current health and safety requirements, including any requirements from national and local health officials and school rules and guidelines.
     

Other back-to-school information