July 30, 2021: A Message from Mr. Olinger

July 30, 2021 Dear Quaker Families, As the discussion around COVID-19 continues to evolve, I met on Wednesday with Hendricks County Health Director Dr. Stopperich. Given that there is no mandate for mask wearing, our plan for the beginning of the school year will continue as originally announced. Masks are strongly recommended for anyone who has not been vaccinated Masks are recommended for anyone, regardless of vaccination status, while at school I want to be clear that this is our plan for today. If masks are mandated by health or elected officials, we will follow the mandate. Our other COVID-19 protocols remain in place. We are thoroughly cleaning our schools daily. Water fountains will not be available, but bottle fillers are located throughout all schools. Students, especially in grades Pre-K through 5, will be assigned to small groups that will move together throughout the school day. Identification of close contacts and quarantines will continue, with the exception being that students who can prove they have been vaccinated and who are showing no signs of COVID-19 will be able to return to school more quickly than the original quarantine timeline. My goal, as it has always been, is for students to attend school safely. I assure you that we will do everything we can to make that happen. On behalf of our entire staff, we look forward to welcoming students back to school on Wednesday. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy this last weekend of summer break. Sincerely, Scott Olinger Superintendent

Friday, Jul 30 2021

July 7, 2021: A Message from Mr. Olinger

July 7, 2021 Dear Quaker Families,   We’re excited to return to school in less than a month (August 4) and we know families have many questions and concerns about how things will look this year.   Our goal is to make school as normal as possible while keeping everyone safe.  In late June, I met with the Hendricks County Health Director, Dr. Stopperich, to discuss the best ways to do that. Here’s a summary:   Masks in school.  Masks will not be required in school. They are recommended for anyone who has not been fully vaccinated.   Masks on buses.  The federal government continues to require wearing masks on all school buses nationwide for the time being.   Close contacts.  We’ll identify close contacts and the need to quarantine as we did last school year. People who are identified as close contacts but who have been vaccinated and are not experiencing COVID symptoms will not have to quarantine.   Volunteers.  We’re happy to announce we’ll welcome volunteers back into our schools this fall. All volunteers must show proof of vaccination. Further information about volunteer opportunities will be shared later this month.   School offices.  Our principals and school secretaries will be back in their offices and ready to help you starting Wednesday, July 14.    There are many perspectives to consider as we prepare to return to more normal operations, and there may be other challenges ahead. Rest assured we make every decision with the best interests of our entire school family in mind. For now, we've created the attached graphic which we hope will be helpful as we all prepare for August 4th. Sincerely, Scott Olinger Superintendent PCSC 2021-22 COVID-19 Protocols.pdf

Wednesday, Jul 07 2021

August 26: An Update from Mr. Olinger

August 26, 2020 Dear Quaker Families, We continue to be pleased with and grateful for the support of our extended school community. As I’ve expressed many times, your patience and grace for the frequent changes to our practices play an important role in our ability to manage the spread of COVID-19 amongst our students and staff. That being said, we learned last evening of several important changes to the guidance provided to schools by the ISDH (Indiana State Department of Health). Please keep in mind that these changes are in response to a growing body of knowledge and experience by medical professionals. While we understand the frustration that accompanies frequent change, we are appreciative of the efforts made by state health officials to adapt to the data that is more available now than it was even a month ago. The three main changes follow and will be implemented immediately. UPDATE ON SYMPTOMS CONSISTENT WITH COVID-19 If an individual has any of the following symptoms, it indicates a possible illness that may put them at risk for spreading illness to others. Temperature 100.0º F or higher * Sore throat Cough, especially new onset, uncontrolled cough; or any cough causing shortness of breath or difficulty breathing Diarrhea, vomiting or abdominal pain New onset of severe headache, especially with fever Loss of taste or smell NOTE  that PCSC Board Policy sets the threshold for fever (when individuals may not come to school) at 100.0º F, and ISDH defers to local board policy when the threshold is lower). UPDATE ON QUARANTINE OF SIBLINGS AND HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS If an individual has symptoms of COVID-19 as described above and tests positive or does NOT get tested for COVID-19, then all members of the household should be considered close contacts and are advised to quarantine. If the symptomatic person is diagnosed with another condition that explains the symptoms, or tests negative, then no quarantine for close contacts is necessary, but a provider’s note with alternate diagnosis will be needed to return to school. A symptomatic individual and anyone living in their household should quarantine while awaiting test results. Given these changes from the ISDH, we simply ask families of Plainfield students who have COVID-19 symptoms to consider quarantining their household. Our experience to date is that many families are already doing this. UPDATE ON WHEN AN INDIVIDUAL CAN RETURN TO SCHOOL If someone is not a known close contact of a COVID-positive individual and tests negative, they may return to school once they are fever free for 24 hours. They no longer require the 10 day isolation or alternate diagnosis from a provider. The required 10 day isolation period and/or alternate diagnosis is still required for anyone who is not tested and has symptoms consistent with COVID.  An individual who is symptomatic and gets tested, and anyone in their home, should quarantine until test results are back. Previous practice was that others in the home could continue to report to school/work unless the individual was truly positive.  If you'd like further detail from the ISDH, you can find it here: ​ ISDH Update 8-25-20 ​​​ As always, please contact your principal or our Administrative Team should you have any questions. Sincerely, Scott Olinger Superintendent

Wednesday, Aug 26 2020

August 5: A Message from Mr. Olinger

August 5, 2020 Dear Quaker Families, I couldn’t be happier with everyone’s efforts and support that resulted in a very successful first day of school. From smiling students and teachers, to patient and supportive parents, it has truly been a joy to have students back in our classrooms and to see new friendships and relationships being established.  To our staff, quite simply, thank you. The aspects of this year that are unusual didn’t phase you in the least, and you have once again proven why our teachers and all who support our students are the best in the state.  Parents and guardians, I thank you as well. Students wore their masks and even smiled behind them. They were prepared for new routines and adapted with the ease of youth. Your partnership in preparing your children to return to the classroom was apparent, and is sincerely appreciated.  Have a great evening, and we will be ready to do it all again tomorrow! Sincerely, Scott Olinger, Superintendent

Wednesday, Aug 05 2020

August 4: A Message from Mr. Olinger

August 4, 2020 Dear Quaker Families, As we all prepare for Wednesday’s beginning of the 2020-2021 school year, I want to make you aware that a current Plainfield Schools’ employee has tested positive for COVID-19. The individual self-reported the diagnosis and is currently isolated. Thanks to our protocols, we were able to quickly determine that only two other staff are considered close contacts, and they were immediately quarantined. These employees will not be present when the school year begins. I am grateful for their honesty and transparency. Despite our best interests, we know we will see positive cases within our school family. When we learn of positive COVID-19 cases within a school, we will notify the staff and families associated with that school, and contact tracing will begin immediately. As a reminder, just because someone within the school family tests positive, we may never know where they came in contact with the virus.  This is an important reminder that social distancing, wearing masks, and proper sanitizing practices do work. We will have positive cases throughout the school year; one positive case is not going to shut down schools like it did in March. Wear your mask Practice social distancing Maintain excellent hygiene, especially hand-washing, and  Stay home if you have any symptoms of COVID-19, and any time you have a fever greater than 100.4. I promise you: we will continue to be vigilant and to follow the latest guidance related to COVID-19. We have waited to share today's attached information , specifically related to contact tracing, because it has changed so frequently over the summer. I've no doubt that updates will continue. Finally, just as in this scenario, I ask each of you to practice your own daily health assessments, to watch for symptoms and to keep home any student who exhibits symptoms. Thank you for your support and cooperation these last several months. Despite the changes and challenges that we are all experiencing, we can’t wait to welcome students back to our classrooms. We are prepared. Sincerely, Scott Olinger, Superintendent FAQ: Contact Tracing and COVID-19

Tuesday, Aug 04 2020

July 24: A Message from Mr. Olinger

July 24, 2020 Dear Quaker Families, In the week since I last checked in with you, Governor Holcomb has put into place a new order requiring Hoosiers to wear a mask in several scenarios, while emphasizing that Indiana children must get back to school as safely as possible.  Fortunately, our school administrators began working in May on our plan to safely reopen schools in August. While we didn’t have all the answers, mandates, or direction from state officials, we did know how to rewrite our approach to a Plainfield Schools education that would meet the needs of a COVID environment.  We are just a week-and-a-half away from opening our doors to the 20-21 school year, and as much as I believe in our plans, I also know things could continue to change. Change and uncertainty are hard for most of us to manage. Given that, I want to assure you of those things that I have confidence in.  We are following the requests, recommendations, and requirements of state and local health officials, and our plan has been approved by the Hendricks County Health Director, Dr. Stopperich. As recently as today, even with the increase in positive COVID-19 cases in Hendricks County, he repeated his support for our plan. Our schools are clean. We have an ample supply of disinfectants and cleaning supplies, and our teams are ready to put them to use.  Children are resilient. They respond to change far easier than we do. If we all model the healthy behaviors that we’ll be using at school, they will adapt with less resistance. The classroom changes we’ve put in place to protect against COVID-19 still allow us to provide the excellent Plainfield education that our community expects.  Though we would love to see all of our students back in school, we realize some of you may not feel comfortable with our plans, or have medical conditions that make it too risky to return right away. You have options, and we will work with you. Please contact your child’s principal to have that conversation as quickly as possible. As we approach August 5th, I want to remind you of how you can help us, beginning with these simple steps.   If your child runs a fever, or has any symptoms related to COVID-19, you must keep them home and continue to follow the guidelines set forth by the Indiana State Department of Health. Have your child begin wearing their mask now, and for our youngest Quakers, have them practice putting it on by themselves.  For students who cannot tolerate or are not able to wear masks all day, please provide a detailed note from your child’s medical provider excusing them from wearing a mask, and we will respect that medical decision. To summarize where we stand today: we have done the work our state and county health and education officials have asked us to do. Our plans were approved a few weeks ago, and were reviewed and approved again today. I appreciate the kind words and support that so many of you have shared. We need to continue to work together so that, collectively we can do what is best for the children, families and staff of Plainfield Schools. Sincerely, Scott Olinger, Superintendent  

Friday, Jul 24 2020

July 17, 2020: A Message from Mr. Olinger re: Back-t...

July 17, 2020 Dear Quaker Families, In this message and in emails you’ll begin receiving in just a short time from our principals, we are pleased to share more details about the beginning of the school year. Our entire administrative team has worked for several months to determine the most strategic and thoughtful steps to create the safest, welcoming environment for students and staff. We have created brief, straightforward graphics to discuss the many topics and areas for your consideration. In this email, you’ll find topics that relate to all school families. In the next hour or so, your child’s principal(s) will share more specific topics as they relate to each of our schools. If, after reading and considering these plans, you wish to educate your child at home when the school year begins, please contact your child’s principal by Friday, July 24. This will help us plan and prepare the resources to best meet those needs. Before we move into the topics, let me explain how you may continue to find the most up-to-date information about how we are responding to COVID-19 while caring for, and educating, your children. The ParentSquare mobile app  Have you downloaded it yet? We encourage you to do so, if you have not. It’s available for both Apple and Google products Our website If you visit https://www.plainfield.k12.in.us/back-to-school-2020 , you’ll find everything we've shared regarding back-to-school plans. We still have topics to add, like “what if my child gets sick, or my child’s teacher gets sick?” We are working with health officials on that guidance, and will update the website once we have clear responses.   Likewise, we will be adding school-specific information to each school's webpage, so you can check there for the latest information. I have eight topics to share in this message. You'll find four graphics below, and then links to all eight topics at the bottom of the message. I am confident in our plan, and our ability to provide the best educational experience for our students, even in these challenging, ever-changing conditions. As parents ourselves, we have considered these plans from every angle. We look forward to your feedback, and to seeing your children on August 5th. Sincerely, Scott Olinger, Superintendent Attendance Hendricks County COVID Testing Sites Mandated Closures School Visitors Daily Screening Checklist Wearing Masks Transportation Food Services

Friday, Jul 17 2020

July 10: A Message from Mr. Olinger

                                                                                    July 10, 2020 Dear Quaker Families, I hope you were able to enjoy a fun and relaxing Fourth of July holiday. While school administrators have been working all summer, our efforts are intensifying as the first day of school approaches. We have several things going on next week, culminating in messages that you will receive on Friday (July 17) with more detailed information about our plans for welcoming students back to school on August 5th. You’ll find included with this message a graphic that highlights information that reflects the basic details many have been asking about. Our school principals will provide more details, but these topics will be consistent throughout all of our schools. I continue to stress the importance of understanding this: these plans could still change. I am confident in the plans we’ve developed, and they have been approved by health officials. Governor Holcomb will speak again next week, and we all need to continue to be vigilant in wearing masks and practicing social distancing. Now more than ever, I am thrilled to share with you the news that, at last night’s meeting, the School Board approved a new partnership with Hendricks Regional Health that will provide even greater support and resources to our school nurses. Plainfield Schools has employed registered nurses in each of our schools for many years, and this new partnership will take our commitment to student and staff health to the next level. Our trusted school nurses will now benefit from the professional development and training offered by HRH, and when our own nurses can’t be at school, we will have a reliable source of substitute nurses to call upon. The timing for this partnership could not be better. As I stated in my June 19 update, whether it’s a medically fragile child, someone in your home who is medically fragile, or you simply are not comfortable with our plans, we will work with you to further your child’s education as a Plainfield student in a virtual setting. This will include access to the curriculum, meaningful assessments, and guidance from classroom teachers. At the same time, please remember that your child’s principal is just a phone call away. If you have concerns about what school will look like, please call us. We would appreciate the opportunity to discuss your concerns, and work with you to find the best solution for your child. In closing, I simply want to emphasize that our entire Plainfield Schools administrative team stands behind the plans that we are finalizing. We are eager to see your children back in school, and we believe that, under these circumstances, our schools will be safe, friendly, welcoming environments that will provide the structure, and the social, emotional and educational support that children need. Sincerely, Scott Olinger, Superintendent

Friday, Jul 10 2020

June 19: An Update from Mr. Olinger

June 19, 2020 Dear Quaker Families, As promised, this is the next in a series of messages where we will share information about our plans to welcome your children back to school in August. We are doing everything possible to prepare a safe and welcoming environment for our students and staff, and we look forward to having your child in school. At the same time, we realize there are other considerations you could be facing. Whether it’s a medically fragile child, someone in your home who is medically fragile, or you simply are not comfortable with our plans, we want you to know that we will work with you to further your child’s education as a Plainfield student in a virtual setting. This will include access to the curriculum, meaningful assessments, and guidance from classroom teachers.  In any case, please contact your school principal if you have any concerns, so we can work together to determine the direction that you feel is best for your family.  On Wednesday, we provided the guiding principles that all public school districts in Hendricks County will follow. We appreciate the input offered from Hendricks County Health Officer, Dr. David Stopperich, which aligns with the principles offered by health officials at the state and federal level. There are two key factors behind our decisions. We believe that children should be in school with as much normalcy as possible, and Science and medical professionals are very clear: if you wear a mask and practice social distancing to the best of your ability, your chances of sharing or catching COVID-19 are greatly reduced. We understand that parents have their own opinions about requiring students to wear masks. As public school officials, our decisions are informed based on the overwhelming data and direction from medical professionals. Given that, there will be times throughout the day when students and staff will be required to wear masks during specific activities. When seated and working independently, we do not expect students will have to wear masks. We will provide you with more specifics in the coming weeks; we also know that many of these details and scenarios could change between now and late July. There are some items, however, about which we feel more confident. Students are encouraged to bring water bottles from home. Classrooms, school buses and lunchrooms will have seating charts (although please note, this is not very different from previous practices). Instructional space is being organized to allow for as much social distancing as possible. Our principals are creating additional cafeteria space in order to increase distancing between groups of students. This could mean having secondary lunchroom space in gyms or other large spaces. Likewise, principals have created sick child/well child clinics to allow for the isolation of anyone who develops a fever while at school. And finally, we cannot stress enough the importance of staying home when you are sick, and for 72 hours AFTER a fever is gone and without the use of fever-reducing medications. We plan to spend the next couple of weeks taking some time off and continuing to fine-tune back-to-school plans. As I said earlier, I remain convinced that many things could happen between now and early August that could change the plans we are making. You can expect to hear more from us, and specifically your child’s principal, after July 13. As I say in every message, please continue to work with your child on the importance of good hand-washing techniques and social distancing. These simple steps will go a long way towards a successful start to school on August 5th.   And finally, every decision we make today is geared towards making certain that students can be in the classroom this fall. We will be prepared.  Sincerely, Scott Olinger

Friday, Jun 19 2020

A Message from the Hendricks County Public Schools' ...

Hendricks County Families, The Hendricks County public school corporations appreciate the patience and understanding of our families and communities during the last few months. Per Governor Holcomb’s order, schools are allowed to resume normal schedules on July 1. The Indiana Department of Education, in conjunction with the Indiana Department of Health and the Indiana Family and Social Services Agency, released guidance for the reopening of Indiana schools. Hendricks County public schools have come together to share important information as we prepare to welcome your children back to our classrooms. The partnership between families and schools is always a key to student success. School staff will be receiving professional development on screening student health situations and parents are encouraged to be aware of the health of their students and only send them to school if they are well. All Hendricks County schools will be starting on their scheduled date. We will also: Require staff and students to have a mask with them at all times. There will be certain situations, including on a bus and some in-school settings, when wearing a mask will be required for both students and staff. Require students and staff to be fever free for 72 hours without the use of fever reducing medication before returning to school. Maximize instructional space and scheduling flexibility. Employ enhanced cleaning procedures with additional hand sanitizer stations. Open playgrounds with separate zones for sanitization purposes. Allow the use of water fountains for bottle or cup refills only. Adjust lunches to maximize available open space and utilize alternate scheduling to adhere to safety guidelines. Identify and separate space in school clinics to treat symptomatic students. Restrict visitors and guests in our school buildings. Discontinue perfect attendance incentives.  In conjunction with the Hendricks County Health Department, Hendricks County public schools will have a common response to confirmed cases of COVID-19 and ongoing consultation will inform the decisions to keep schools open. Thank you again for supporting your Hendricks County public schools as we look forward to a safe reopening for the 2020-2021 school year.

Wednesday, Jun 17 2020