After Governor Announces More Actions, Schools Extend eLearning
March 19, 2020 at 11:32 p.m.
After Governor Announces More Actions, Schools Extend eLearning
By David [email protected]
He signed executive orders that extended the closure of schools until May 1, provided economic relief and protections for individuals and businesses and expanded unemployment insurance benefits for those impacted by job loss.
The executive orders, which contain additional actions, can be found at https://www.in.gov/gov/2384.htm.
The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) on Thursday reported 17 new positive cases of COVID-19, bringing to 56 the number of Hoosiers diagnosed through ISDH, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and private laboratories. Two Hoosiers have died.
Local announcements, cancellations and postponements made Thursday include:
• Warsaw Community Schools will extend the closing of physical school buildings until May 1 in compliance with the executive order.
WCS and student learning continues through eLearning lessons.
WCS will extend the current plan of a three-day eLearning week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays while using Tuesdays and Thursdays as waiver days. From now until May 1, students will have the same educational opportunities that went into effect this week.
Additionally, WCS services provided by Food & Nutrition, Transportation, Technology, Teachers and the WCS nurse on-call will also remain the same. See FAQs posted on the district’s website.
WCS will continue to evaluate the situation and will communicate any changes as they become necessary. All updates will be posted at warsawschools.org.
• Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation will continue its eLearning plan as previously sent out. The grab-and-go lunch locations will remain open Monday through Friday as previously announced.
During the week before spring break, Valley will be providing an updated schedule for eLearning activities for after spring break until May 1. This will allow Valley’s team sufficient time to plan the most effective instruction possible.
All schools in the TVSC will follow the schedule below.
– Today, March 20, eLearning
– March 23-27: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, eLearning days; Tuesday, Thursday, waiver days.
– March 30, April 1-2, eLearning days; March 31 and April 3, waiver days.
– April 6-10, spring break.
– April 13, eLearning resumes.
TVSC will continue to monitor and update with any urgent updates or concerns.
TVSC also added an additional location to its grab-and-go lunches (with breakfast for the following day included) for students age 18 and under.
The new location added starts today and is from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Palestine Lake boat ramp parking lot.
Previously announced times and locations are, Monday through Friday: Akron Elementary, Door R, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; Mentone Elementary, main entrance, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; and Tippecanoe Valley High School, main entrance, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
If parents or students do not have transportation available to pick up lunches, call and leave a message for the following food service personnel. Leave information of student name, telephone number, address and the number of students needing meals.
Akron Elementary – Julie Kruger, 574-598-2321
Mentone Elementary – Nikki Rutherford, 574-598-2537
Tippecanoe Valley Middle School – Trisha Wilson, 574-598-2230
Tippecanoe Valley High School – Shelly Holloway, 574-598-2131.
• The food pantry at God’s Highway To Heaven Church, 555 Webber St., Warsaw, will remain open to serve those in need until told to close.
Hours of operation are the fourth Tuesday of each month from 3 to 5 p.m., and in emergency situations, the pantry does have food giveaways from time to time through the month. It is posted online. The church pantry just had two giveaways and will be open 3 to 5 p.m. March 24, regular pantry. Due to some new guidelines from Food Bank, things will be slightly different.
The pantry has been asked to keep a supply in the pantry for those in need during the virus crisis, schools closed and lack of work due to all going on. If anyone would or could help keep the supply up during these times, food donations may be brought or picked up by calling 574-267-4061. Leave a message if no one answers and someone will return the call as soon as possible.
Monetary donations may be mailed to GHTH Judy Pennington P.O. Box 574 Warsaw, IN 46581 to help purchase items for the pantry. Any questions, call the number above or email [email protected].
• In order to ensure the health and safety of the community and staff, the Milford Town Hall and the Milford Community Building will be closed to the public until further notice. All offices are currently working, but will be taking appointments only for critical items of business.
• Due to the COVID-19 virus, the Silver Lake Lions Club has cancelled all upcoming events until further notice.
This will include Saturday Night Bingo, the annual Easter Egg hunt and the April fish fry. The $1,000 Bingo Night will be held at a later date.
The club will advise everyone when normal club activities resume. Follow the Silver Lake Lions Club on Facebook for future updates.
• North Pointe Cinemas made the decision to close until further notice. A statement on its website says, “The most recent guidance released by the CDC stating that Americans should not gather in groups of more than 10 people has made continuing operations impossible.” North Pointe Cinemas intends to reopen for regular operations as soon as local, state and federal directives allow.
• Kohl’s announced it was closing all of its retail stores through at least April 1. It will support store associates with two calendar weeks of pay. All Kohl’s locations closed at 7 p.m. Thursday. Warsaw’s store is included in the temporary closure.
• As the number of those affected by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the United States continues to rise, Bowen Center is now providing psychiatric, therapy and community-based services over the phone. Holcomb and Indiana Division of Mental Health and Addiction Director Jay Chaudhary, J.D., worked to allow Bowen Center the flexibility to provide care over the phone instead putting its patients and mental health professionals at risk of transmitting the disease in face-to-face sessions, according to a news release from Bowen.
Moving to phone-based appointments will increase Bowen Center’s capacity to see more patients and serve new and returning patients. The ability to meet the increased need will help guard the mental and physical health of those who need help.
Bowen Center also partners with schools and businesses in the state via its Student Assistance Program and Employee Assistance Program. Through the programs a number of pre-paid sessions are available to students and employees. Those pre-paid sessions will now also be held over the phone.
Bowen Center will continue to follow the guidance from the Indiana Division of Mental Health and Addiction, plus the CDC to ensure the health and safety of its patients and staff and provide on-going, uninterrupted, life-changing care. To make an appointment or for more information, call 800-342-5653.
• Ivy Tech Community College announced that effective 5 p.m. (local time) on Friday, March 20, all of its buildings will be closed until further notice including its Fort Wayne and Warsaw locations. The College will continue to operate and deliver instruction wherever possible virtually as previously announced. With the closure of its buildings additional services to students will now also be provided virtually including advising, testing, financial aid and business office operations.
• Grace College is now offering virtual visits for prospective students and parents to experience Grace despite the current campus closure. Grace will also host two “Lancer Live Streaming Visit Experiences” on Friday, March 27 and Friday, April 3.
A virtual visit is a personal, online meeting with an admissions counselor. Virtual visitors can select a convenient time to meet via Zoom. Visitors can also choose to have a student ambassador, athletic coach or faculty member join the online meeting (subject to availability).
Lancer Live Streaming Visit Experiences will start at 12:15 p.m. on March 27 and April 3. These experiences will include a welcome to Lancer Nation, a student life panel with a live question and answer, and a campus tour. The experience will conclude at approximately 2:30 p.m.
To schedule a virtual visit or sign up for a Lancer Live Streaming Visit Experience, go to www.grace.edu/visit-us/ or call 866-974-7223.
• Lutheran Health Network has updated its visitor restrictions.
Entry to all Lutheran Health Network hospitals is limited to main entrances, with access through the emergency departments after hours. Screeners will staff these points of entry at all times to reinforce the following restrictions:
– Hospitals
No visitors allowed in the hospital, with the following exceptions (must be 18): one spouse, partner or significant other for obstetrics patients; two parents for pediatric and NICU patients; please call to main number to discuss exceptions related to compassionate care/end-of-life situations.
– RediMed and MedState Urgent Care Locations
No visitors will be allowed (the parent or guardian of a minor is permitted).
– Lutheran Health Physicians Practice locations
Only one visitor age 18 or older may accompany a patient, unless it is an oncology service location. No visitors are permitted at these locations.
If someone has a cough, fevor or difficulty breathing, they will not be allowed to visit unless seeking medical care themselves.
Visit LutheranHealth.net for more information.
• Effective yesterday, the lobbies of all Horizon Bank locations throughout Indiana and Michigan will be open by appointment only. The bank’s drive up, ATM and Live Video Banking facilities will remain open and hours of operation will remain unchanged at this time. In addition, all offices and departments will be staffed and available to assist you by telephone.
The bank encourages customers to call their local branch to schedule an appointment during normal business hours. In addition, Horizon is encouraging customers to bank from home using many alternative banking options available such as: online and mobile banking, bank by telephone, call center 888-873-2640, ATM’s, Live Video Banking or by calling offices direct.
• The Indiana Chamber of Commerce has created a statewide employer resource page providing information under three umbrellas: Health, Tools You Can Use and Government and Community Assistance.
The group is also taking specific business questions that will be answered by staff and private sector professionals.
The online website at www.indianachamber.com/coronavirus features guidance on key workplace and legal topics, a coronavirus toolkit and information on unemployment insurance from the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, in addition to providing health and other government resources.
All information on the site, Brinegar stresses, “is for any Indiana business or organization to use – no Indiana Chamber membership is required.
“We will have additional free information opportunities for member companies. An upcoming one includes a free legal webinar on Monday.”
• PNC Bank announced it will implement temporary retail branch adjustments.
The changes go into effect today and include: Temporarily adjusting retail branch access, operating primarily in a drive-up only mode, augmented with select branches that do not provide drive-up capability, to ensure branch access across PNC communities; consistent branch hours, for all open locations, will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, closed on Sunday; offering essential appointments, for customers requiring safe deposit box access, loan closings or other banking services that cannot be delivered through the drive-up, by telephone, through the ATM network or via mobile or online banking. To make appointments, customers are encouraged to check the PNC branch locator to find the most convenient open branch.
PNC urges customers to leverage all of the available tools and resources for self-service banking and 24/7 account access through mobile, online and voice banking services. Through these channels, customers can check balances, transfer funds, deposit checks or find the nearest ATM. Customers who need assistance utilizing Online or Mobile Banking tools or downloading the app, may visit PNC.com or contact PNC's Customer Care Center at 1-888-762-2265.
Any PNC customer who encounters hardship as a result of coronavirus, is encouraged to call PNC at 1-888-762-2265 (7 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET Monday – Friday; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Saturday and Sunday) to discuss their options.
He signed executive orders that extended the closure of schools until May 1, provided economic relief and protections for individuals and businesses and expanded unemployment insurance benefits for those impacted by job loss.
The executive orders, which contain additional actions, can be found at https://www.in.gov/gov/2384.htm.
The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) on Thursday reported 17 new positive cases of COVID-19, bringing to 56 the number of Hoosiers diagnosed through ISDH, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and private laboratories. Two Hoosiers have died.
Local announcements, cancellations and postponements made Thursday include:
• Warsaw Community Schools will extend the closing of physical school buildings until May 1 in compliance with the executive order.
WCS and student learning continues through eLearning lessons.
WCS will extend the current plan of a three-day eLearning week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays while using Tuesdays and Thursdays as waiver days. From now until May 1, students will have the same educational opportunities that went into effect this week.
Additionally, WCS services provided by Food & Nutrition, Transportation, Technology, Teachers and the WCS nurse on-call will also remain the same. See FAQs posted on the district’s website.
WCS will continue to evaluate the situation and will communicate any changes as they become necessary. All updates will be posted at warsawschools.org.
• Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation will continue its eLearning plan as previously sent out. The grab-and-go lunch locations will remain open Monday through Friday as previously announced.
During the week before spring break, Valley will be providing an updated schedule for eLearning activities for after spring break until May 1. This will allow Valley’s team sufficient time to plan the most effective instruction possible.
All schools in the TVSC will follow the schedule below.
– Today, March 20, eLearning
– March 23-27: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, eLearning days; Tuesday, Thursday, waiver days.
– March 30, April 1-2, eLearning days; March 31 and April 3, waiver days.
– April 6-10, spring break.
– April 13, eLearning resumes.
TVSC will continue to monitor and update with any urgent updates or concerns.
TVSC also added an additional location to its grab-and-go lunches (with breakfast for the following day included) for students age 18 and under.
The new location added starts today and is from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Palestine Lake boat ramp parking lot.
Previously announced times and locations are, Monday through Friday: Akron Elementary, Door R, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; Mentone Elementary, main entrance, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; and Tippecanoe Valley High School, main entrance, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
If parents or students do not have transportation available to pick up lunches, call and leave a message for the following food service personnel. Leave information of student name, telephone number, address and the number of students needing meals.
Akron Elementary – Julie Kruger, 574-598-2321
Mentone Elementary – Nikki Rutherford, 574-598-2537
Tippecanoe Valley Middle School – Trisha Wilson, 574-598-2230
Tippecanoe Valley High School – Shelly Holloway, 574-598-2131.
• The food pantry at God’s Highway To Heaven Church, 555 Webber St., Warsaw, will remain open to serve those in need until told to close.
Hours of operation are the fourth Tuesday of each month from 3 to 5 p.m., and in emergency situations, the pantry does have food giveaways from time to time through the month. It is posted online. The church pantry just had two giveaways and will be open 3 to 5 p.m. March 24, regular pantry. Due to some new guidelines from Food Bank, things will be slightly different.
The pantry has been asked to keep a supply in the pantry for those in need during the virus crisis, schools closed and lack of work due to all going on. If anyone would or could help keep the supply up during these times, food donations may be brought or picked up by calling 574-267-4061. Leave a message if no one answers and someone will return the call as soon as possible.
Monetary donations may be mailed to GHTH Judy Pennington P.O. Box 574 Warsaw, IN 46581 to help purchase items for the pantry. Any questions, call the number above or email [email protected].
• In order to ensure the health and safety of the community and staff, the Milford Town Hall and the Milford Community Building will be closed to the public until further notice. All offices are currently working, but will be taking appointments only for critical items of business.
• Due to the COVID-19 virus, the Silver Lake Lions Club has cancelled all upcoming events until further notice.
This will include Saturday Night Bingo, the annual Easter Egg hunt and the April fish fry. The $1,000 Bingo Night will be held at a later date.
The club will advise everyone when normal club activities resume. Follow the Silver Lake Lions Club on Facebook for future updates.
• North Pointe Cinemas made the decision to close until further notice. A statement on its website says, “The most recent guidance released by the CDC stating that Americans should not gather in groups of more than 10 people has made continuing operations impossible.” North Pointe Cinemas intends to reopen for regular operations as soon as local, state and federal directives allow.
• Kohl’s announced it was closing all of its retail stores through at least April 1. It will support store associates with two calendar weeks of pay. All Kohl’s locations closed at 7 p.m. Thursday. Warsaw’s store is included in the temporary closure.
• As the number of those affected by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the United States continues to rise, Bowen Center is now providing psychiatric, therapy and community-based services over the phone. Holcomb and Indiana Division of Mental Health and Addiction Director Jay Chaudhary, J.D., worked to allow Bowen Center the flexibility to provide care over the phone instead putting its patients and mental health professionals at risk of transmitting the disease in face-to-face sessions, according to a news release from Bowen.
Moving to phone-based appointments will increase Bowen Center’s capacity to see more patients and serve new and returning patients. The ability to meet the increased need will help guard the mental and physical health of those who need help.
Bowen Center also partners with schools and businesses in the state via its Student Assistance Program and Employee Assistance Program. Through the programs a number of pre-paid sessions are available to students and employees. Those pre-paid sessions will now also be held over the phone.
Bowen Center will continue to follow the guidance from the Indiana Division of Mental Health and Addiction, plus the CDC to ensure the health and safety of its patients and staff and provide on-going, uninterrupted, life-changing care. To make an appointment or for more information, call 800-342-5653.
• Ivy Tech Community College announced that effective 5 p.m. (local time) on Friday, March 20, all of its buildings will be closed until further notice including its Fort Wayne and Warsaw locations. The College will continue to operate and deliver instruction wherever possible virtually as previously announced. With the closure of its buildings additional services to students will now also be provided virtually including advising, testing, financial aid and business office operations.
• Grace College is now offering virtual visits for prospective students and parents to experience Grace despite the current campus closure. Grace will also host two “Lancer Live Streaming Visit Experiences” on Friday, March 27 and Friday, April 3.
A virtual visit is a personal, online meeting with an admissions counselor. Virtual visitors can select a convenient time to meet via Zoom. Visitors can also choose to have a student ambassador, athletic coach or faculty member join the online meeting (subject to availability).
Lancer Live Streaming Visit Experiences will start at 12:15 p.m. on March 27 and April 3. These experiences will include a welcome to Lancer Nation, a student life panel with a live question and answer, and a campus tour. The experience will conclude at approximately 2:30 p.m.
To schedule a virtual visit or sign up for a Lancer Live Streaming Visit Experience, go to www.grace.edu/visit-us/ or call 866-974-7223.
• Lutheran Health Network has updated its visitor restrictions.
Entry to all Lutheran Health Network hospitals is limited to main entrances, with access through the emergency departments after hours. Screeners will staff these points of entry at all times to reinforce the following restrictions:
– Hospitals
No visitors allowed in the hospital, with the following exceptions (must be 18): one spouse, partner or significant other for obstetrics patients; two parents for pediatric and NICU patients; please call to main number to discuss exceptions related to compassionate care/end-of-life situations.
– RediMed and MedState Urgent Care Locations
No visitors will be allowed (the parent or guardian of a minor is permitted).
– Lutheran Health Physicians Practice locations
Only one visitor age 18 or older may accompany a patient, unless it is an oncology service location. No visitors are permitted at these locations.
If someone has a cough, fevor or difficulty breathing, they will not be allowed to visit unless seeking medical care themselves.
Visit LutheranHealth.net for more information.
• Effective yesterday, the lobbies of all Horizon Bank locations throughout Indiana and Michigan will be open by appointment only. The bank’s drive up, ATM and Live Video Banking facilities will remain open and hours of operation will remain unchanged at this time. In addition, all offices and departments will be staffed and available to assist you by telephone.
The bank encourages customers to call their local branch to schedule an appointment during normal business hours. In addition, Horizon is encouraging customers to bank from home using many alternative banking options available such as: online and mobile banking, bank by telephone, call center 888-873-2640, ATM’s, Live Video Banking or by calling offices direct.
• The Indiana Chamber of Commerce has created a statewide employer resource page providing information under three umbrellas: Health, Tools You Can Use and Government and Community Assistance.
The group is also taking specific business questions that will be answered by staff and private sector professionals.
The online website at www.indianachamber.com/coronavirus features guidance on key workplace and legal topics, a coronavirus toolkit and information on unemployment insurance from the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, in addition to providing health and other government resources.
All information on the site, Brinegar stresses, “is for any Indiana business or organization to use – no Indiana Chamber membership is required.
“We will have additional free information opportunities for member companies. An upcoming one includes a free legal webinar on Monday.”
• PNC Bank announced it will implement temporary retail branch adjustments.
The changes go into effect today and include: Temporarily adjusting retail branch access, operating primarily in a drive-up only mode, augmented with select branches that do not provide drive-up capability, to ensure branch access across PNC communities; consistent branch hours, for all open locations, will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, closed on Sunday; offering essential appointments, for customers requiring safe deposit box access, loan closings or other banking services that cannot be delivered through the drive-up, by telephone, through the ATM network or via mobile or online banking. To make appointments, customers are encouraged to check the PNC branch locator to find the most convenient open branch.
PNC urges customers to leverage all of the available tools and resources for self-service banking and 24/7 account access through mobile, online and voice banking services. Through these channels, customers can check balances, transfer funds, deposit checks or find the nearest ATM. Customers who need assistance utilizing Online or Mobile Banking tools or downloading the app, may visit PNC.com or contact PNC's Customer Care Center at 1-888-762-2265.
Any PNC customer who encounters hardship as a result of coronavirus, is encouraged to call PNC at 1-888-762-2265 (7 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET Monday – Friday; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Saturday and Sunday) to discuss their options.
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092