North Lawrence Community Schools  Superintendent Ty Mungle released the following message to parents today:

It is with many mixed emotions that I share North Lawrence Community Schools will be closed until May 1st as mandated by Governor Eric Holcomb.

NLCS will suspend all required at home learning until April 13th.

With our teachers not having access to the schools, we didn’t see any other options at this time. These actions align with state mandates to protect our entire NLCS community.

NLCS will continue to provide optional learning opportunities for all grades. Parents and students may visit the NLCS website or your student’s Google Classroom for more information. High school students enrolled in dual credit courses should reach out to their teacher following spring break. Teachers will communicate expectations for college credits and the next steps for students as they learn more.

NLCS will continue to provide meals for our students. Starting on Monday, March 30, we will expand food pick up sites to Shawswick Middle School and Oolitic Middle School, while continuing to offer pick up at Bedford Middle School. Food Pick up will be available at these sites on Mondays and Thursdays from 11-1 pm. Please Sign-up for meals on our website and feel free to call the administration building at 812-279-3521 if you are unable to arrange a meal pickup for your child.

All NLCS schools will be closed to all non-essential personnel for the next two weeks. Please email or call the administration building if assistance is needed during this time. At this time we anticipate a future update around April 13 to consider the many social events that were planned and matter so much to our students and families. Some examples include Prom and Graduation.

Again, I would like to thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to find the safest solutions for all.

Washington Co. Department of Health announced today the third presumptive positive case of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Washington County.

Currently, the patient is home-quarantined that tested positive for CoVid-19 in Marion County.

Washington County Health Department is working closely with the local and state officials along with Marion County Health Department to ensure that contacts of the patient are identified and monitored and that all infection control protocols are being followed.

No additional information will be given out to protect this patient.

According to the local health department, the Indiana Department of Health has advised not to release any epidemiology on Covid-19 patients so as not to allow members of the public to identify the patients, which would be a HIPPA violation. 

Gov. Eric J. Holcomb issued a public health emergency declaration that calls on state agencies to continue their diligence and cooperation in responding to COVID-19 and ensures that Indiana can seek funding to control and stop the spread of coronavirus. The declaration is posted at www.in.gov/.

The governor has also issued additional steps to protect the public from COVID-
19.

Human coronaviruses most commonly spread from an infected person to others through:
 Respiratory droplets released into the air by coughing and sneezing;
 Close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands;
 Touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose, or
eyes before washing your hands; and
 Rarely, fecal contamination.
The best way to protect yourself from any respiratory illness, including the flu, is to:
 Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are
not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
 Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
 Avoid close contact (within 6 feet) with people who are sick.
 Stay home when you are sick.
 Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash, followed by hand washing.
 Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

The CDC does not recommend that people who are well wearing a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19. You should only wear a mask if a healthcare professional recommends it.

A facemask should be used by people who have COVID-19 and are showing symptoms to protect others from the risk of infection.

The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) will provide updates as new information
becomes available. Visit the ISDH website at in.gov/coronavirus for the most up-to-date
information on COVID-19 in Indiana.

In response to recommendations from Governor Eric Holcomb, Secretary of State Connie Lawson, and the leadership of Indiana’s major political parties, the Indiana Election Commission has issued an order making it easier for Hoosiers to vote in the June 2^nd Primary Election.

Governor Holcomb previously moved the primary from May 5^th to June 2^nd.

The complete order detailing each change is available at https://www.in.gov/sos/elections/2404.htm.

The Commission’s order included the following changes, which will apply to the June 2^nd Primary only:

• Moves all election dates by 28 days.
• Avoids reprinting ballots and other forms that have the May 5^th, 2020 date.
• Allows everyone to cast an absentee ballot by mail without having a specific reason to do so.
• Grandfathers applications already received for an absentee ballot, which did not state an excuse permitting the person to vote by mail.
• Permits county election boards to conduct meetings electronically rather than in person.
• Encourages counties to appoint medical professionals to act as traveling absentee boards to help voters confined in medical facilities to cast a ballot.
• Permits family members and caregivers of a confined voter to personally deliver and return a ballot.
• Allows county election boards to consolidate voting locations and vote center sites and to take spacing measures to ensure the safety of voters.
• Loosens restrictions on students who wish to serve as poll workers or absentee board members.
• Allows county election boards to begin expeditiously counting ballots at 6 a.m. on Election Day.
• Advises county election boards that election results must be determined by 3 p.m. on June 12^th. 

“As we take precautions to protect Hoosiers from the threat of COVID-19, it is vitally important to protect citizens’ right to vote,” said Secretary Lawson. “I am pleased that our bi-partisan recommendations have been adopted, and I thank the Indiana Election Commission for their expeditious work. With these changes, I am confident our primary will move forward with minimal disruption.”

The Commission will meet again on April 22^nd, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. ET.

Eligible Hoosiers can register to vote online, check their registration status, and request an absentee ballot by visiting www.IndianaVoters.com.