IPS Returns to In-Person Learning on Jan. 19

Based on updated data and guidance from the Marion County Public Health Department, Indianapolis Public Schools returned to in-person learning using a phase-in approach that started Tuesday, Jan. 19. The second phase begins Monday, Jan. 25.

Here’s the timeline for returning to in-person learning:

Jan. 25 – Jan. 29

  • Students in Grades Pre-K–6 (except for 6th-graders on a middle school schedule) return for full in-person learning.
  • Students in Grades 7-12 (this includes 6th-graders on a middle school schedule) return for in-person learning on a hybrid schedule.

*Families who would like to change to remote learning can still do so by contacting their school directly.

The hybrid learning schedule will be the same as the Fall for students in Grades 7-12:

Note: 6th-graders on a middle school schedule will follow the hybrid schedule.

  • Students whose last names start with A-K will attend Monday and Tuesday. They will participate in remote learning Wednesday – Friday.
  • Students whose last names start with L-Z will attend Thursday and Friday. They will participate in remote learning Monday – Wednesday.
  • Wednesday will be a remote learning day for all students on the hybrid schedule.

IPS will continue to follow state and local guidelines from health and government officials.

For more information about IPS meal distribution, Student Support Networks and the new framework for school operations from the Marion County Public Health Department pertaining to COVID positivity rates per school, click on the individual tabs below.

*If your child attends an IPS Innovation Network School, they may be on a different schedule. Please contact your child’s school directly for the most up-to-date information.

Remote Learning Meal Offerings

For students participating in remote learning, the IPS Food Service Team will provide prepackaged meals (breakfast and lunch) one day a week at multiple locations throughout the district.

Meals are available to any child 18 years of age and younger regardless of enrollment in IPS. Meals will be handed out drive-thru style in parking lots. Drive to the door number listed below.

Meal distribution will be held from:
• 7:30–8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Wednesdays.

Meal distribution locations:
• Anna Brochhausen School 88 | 5801 E. 16th St. | Door 6
• Arlington Middle School | 4825 N. Arlington Ave. | Door 8
• Brookside School 54 | 3150 E. 10th St. | Door 8
• Center for Inquiry School 70 | 510 46th St. | Door 7
• Eleanor Skillen School 34 | 1410 Wade St. | Door 11
• George Washington Carver School 87 | 2411 Indianapolis Ave. | Door 6
• George Washington High School | 2215 W. Washington St. | Door 2
• Henry W. Longfellow Medical/STEM Middle School 28 | 510 Laurel St. | Door 2
• Northwest Middle School | 5525 W. 34th St. | Door 12

The Gleaners meal box distribution has ended.

If additional meal services are needed, families should contact the FACE Liaison or Social Worker at their school to receive guidance on resources available through the school or a list of other community resources. IPS in-school pantries will re-open with new safety guidelines and new distribution methods on a school by school basis starting early February.

The Community Compass app published by Indy Hunger Network,  is a useful resource as well.

Friday, Jan. 15 is the last day for the Student Support Networks sites at IPS schools and Learning Hubs.

Some individual schools will provide before and after-school care. Families will need to check with their student’s school to see if they are providing this service.

Families can learn about the many health and safety protocols the district is following in our IPS Health and Safety Plan. 

For more details on our COVID Resources for students and families, please visit here.

The Marion County Public Health Department has shared a revised framework for school operations. This updated model compares an individual school’s positivity rate to the overall community in assessing the risk of each school’s operations.  

Starting Jan. 19, decisions about whether a school switches from in-person to remote learning will be made based on what’s going on in that specific building, with students and staff. This includes decisions impacting classrooms, grade levels or the entire building. This will be a collaborative process between school and district leadership.

The Marion County Public Health Department’s framework for school operations can be found here.

Parents looking for tips to help them or their students during hybrid learning can access a variety of pre-recorded videos on the Parent Institute page on the district’s website. These video resources cover everything from supporting multiple students during remote/hybrid learning, technology tips, social emotional learning tips, and so much more.

Click here to access the videos and other resources.