Wayne Township announced today that all students will return to a virtual remote learning schedule beginning Monday and lasting until second semester, which is scheduled to start on January 20.

The announcement came on the heels of a press conference by Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett, who ordered all Marion County schools to return to a virtual learning model by November 30.

Dr. Jeff Butts’ statement read, in part:

“Since November 1, Indiana has set five single-day highs for positive COVID-19 cases and eight straight for coronavirus hospitalizations.  Marion County has set three single-day highs for positive cases as well.  The percent of positive COVID-19 cases for Marion County students in high school are 18%, 14% for middle school students, and elementary age students are 8%.  Dr. Caine predicted that the positive COVID-19 cases for elementary students will top 12% by the end of next week.  And, in the M.S.D. of Wayne Township, our daily cases for COVID+ individuals, those with symptoms who have not yet been tested or are awaiting test results, and those quarantined as a result of a close contact are trending in the same direction.  The result has been a reduction in learning opportunities for students and increased concern for student and staff safety in our schools.

As a district, the M.S.D. of Wayne Township remains focused on the education, safety, and services we provide to our students, staff, and families. The planning of our M.S.D. of Wayne Township Return to School Task Force, and the willingness of our students, staff, parents, and community to follow the guidelines put into place were instrumental in our ability to conduct in-person learning over the past 12 ½ weeks. However, at the direction of the MCPHD and out of an abundance of caution, we are communicating a change in our models of instruction through the Martin Luther King Junior holiday.

With the most recent COVID-19 data for Indiana, Marion County, and the M.S.D. of Wayne Township, all students PK – 12 will move to a fully remote model of learning beginning Monday, November 16, 2020. Following the guidance of the MCPHD, we are planning for our students return on Wednesday, January 20, 2021.”

At Ben Davis, all extracurricular activities — including sports — will continue but seating will be limited.

Ben Davis students will be on the following weekly schedule through January 15.