By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — All Warsaw Community Schools will return to optional mask-wearing in the second semester.

WCS Superintendent Dr. David Hoffert provided a recap to the school board and community regarding the latest COVID-19 policies during a meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 14.

At a November meeting, the school board approved Hoffert’s recommendation to go mask optional when students return to school on Jan. 10. The reopening plan, which has been sent out to WCS students and parents, is also available on the school’s website.

“Because of the vaccine availability for all students, Warsaw Community Schools will be mask optional starting out second semester,” said Hoffert. “If students are not feeling well, please keep them home. That’s the number one safety protocol. Especially as we’re getting into COVID season, flu season, cold season, all of the above, if they are not feeling well, please keep them at home.”

Hoffert said updates with executive orders from Governor Eric Holcomb or changes in health department protocols will be sent out as they happen.

The reopening plan for both elementary and secondary schools details protocol on handling students with COVID-19 symptoms. Students must see a provider and be fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and be symptom-free for a given number of days following state and local health department guidelines before returning to school. The student’s school will inform parents on the protocol and return date.

Wellness App

In her financial report, Chief Financial Officer April Fitterling said the school district is entering a one-year contract with Wellable, an employee wellness platform. The program is being funded through Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) dollars.

According to the app’s website, Wellable’s wellness platform helps organizations build engaging employee wellness programs through supporting journeys toward holistic well-being. Fitterling and Hoffert both said they wanted a program with a one-year contract option to determine if employees enjoy Wellable and engage with the app.

“Employees have the opportunity to win devices or gift cards,” said Fitterling about the program. “It’s something to encourage them to get out and get active, not just physically but mentally as well. We’re really hopeful to get it out rolling in January or February.”

School Zone At Madison Elementary

WCS Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Education Dr. David Robertson said the City of Warsaw’s traffic safety commission will meet in January to discuss potentially expanding the school zone at Madison Elementary School.

“The tech park is continuing to fill up and so there’s increased traffic in that area,” said Robertson. “Between that and some of the residential traffic aspects, we really feel like we need to take a look at expanding the school zone to the roundabout (on West CR 300N), maybe even past that, and make it a 25 mile per hour school zone.”

The board’s next work session is at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 11, at the school district’s central office.