Thursday, June 25, 2020 To Marion County Public Charter School Families and Our Communities: We are pleased to report that based on feedback from City and Health Department officials, all Indianapolis charter schools are expected to be able to start school on their scheduled start date. We appreciate your patience as we have worked with the Marion County Public Health Department (MCPHD) to plan for a safe return to school. Several factors have led to this decision. The Indiana Department of Education, in conjunction with the Indiana Department of Health and the Indiana Family and Social Services Agency, recently released guidance for the re-opening of Indiana schools in their IN-CLASS report. Additionally, Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett and MCPHD Director Dr. Virginia Caine anticipate that Marion County will be in Stage 5 in mid-July based on the current data. Each charter school is carefully considering the health and safety of their students and the needs of their specific communities in planning for the fall, whether they be safe instructional options in a physical school setting, online options for students who are not able or are uncomfortable returning to school on the scheduled start date, or some combination of the two. We encourage you to contact your school with specific questions about their re-opening process. We anticipate sharing more details with schools and families regarding the steps schools must take if offering instruction in a physical school setting in early July after the Marion County Public Health Department finalizes their guidance to us, which will include procedures for: • • • • • • • Symptom screening Cleaning and disinfection Cloth facial coverings and masks or face shields Social distancing Student health and safety Bus transportation Identifying, reporting, and tracing cases Thank you again for supporting your schools and students through this challenging time. We look forward to a safe re-opening for the 2020-2021 school year. Sincerely, Patrick McAlister, Indianapolis Mayor’s Office of Education Innovation James Hill, Andrew J Brown Academy Jim Dalton, Damar Charter Academy Mariama Shaheed, Global Prep Academy Rachelle Gardner, Hope Academy Shy-Quon Ely, Ignite Achievement Academy Ryan Gall, Victory College Prep Aleicha Ostler, Invent Learning Hub Amy Swann, Matchbook Learning Jacob Allen, pilotED Kristie Sweeney, Southeast Neighborhood School of Excellence Nigena Livingston, Urban Act Academy Kelly Herron, United Schools of Indianapolis Brian Metcalf, Tindley Accelerated Schools Mustafa Arslan, Indiana Math and Science Academies Kevin Kubacki, Neighborhood Charter Network Betsy Delgado, Goodwill Education Initiatives Janet McNeal, Indianapolis Classical Schools Tim Mulherin, Irvington Community Schools Andy Seibert, KIPP Indianapolis Tommy Reddicks, Paramount Schools of Excellence Scott Bess, Purdue Polytechnic High Schools Ma’at Lands, Rooted School Eddie Rangel, Adelante Schools Kimberly Neal, Believe Circle City Alicia Hervey, The PATH School James Betley, Indiana Charter School Board Earl Phalen, Phalen Leadership Academy Sarah Weimer, Christel House Academy Megan Murphy, Circle City Prep Anna Shults, ACE Prep Rick Anderson, Allegiant Prep Robert Marshall, Vanguard Collegiate Jamie Garwood, Ball State University Office of Charter Schools Sondra Towne, Him By Her Collegiate School for the Arts Lindsay Omlor, Education One Samantha Bandy, Dynamic Minds Academy