Tiger Talk: News from Loveland Schools – October 30, 2020
NEWS RELEASE: Loveland Schools
LOVELAND, OH (October 30, 2020) – Here is the latest from this week in Loveland Schools.
We received tremendous feedback to our first survey with approximately 2,000 families responding, but only about 200 filled out the second survey. Please take a few moments this weekend to respond. There is a survey for families of students in PreK-grade 8 and another for families of students in grades 9-12. The surveys will remain open until Tuesday, November 3.
Monitoring COVID-19
Nationally, the response to the pandemic has been quite the balancing act and schools are no different. We want to provide our best teaching for students to progress academically and to support students’ social emotional needs in environments that are safe for students and staff.
The increase in numbers across Ohio, and in Hamilton, Clermont, and Warren Counties specifically, are of great concern. There were indications that Hamilton County might move to purple this week, but this did not occur. It is important to note that the Ohio Public Health Advisory System was NOT designed for school decisions, but rather to monitor and prepare for the impact on the healthcare system. While the level of spread in the community is a piece of the information we consider, it should not be the only consideration. The Governor has made it clear that it is his intention to leave school decisions to the local level to meet the needs of the families in each community.
As we have shared, the school superintendents have been fortunate to meet with both the commissioner and the lead physician from Hamilton County Public Health (HCPH) every Friday since April. With 9-10 weeks of quantitative data to use, public health officials are able to use regional data and experience to support us in our local decision-making processes. HCPH is extremely complimentary of our collective efforts to keep students and staff safe from the spread of the virus while providing in-person learning. HCPH has stated that schools are among the safest places to be due to the safety measures and protocols we have put in place. I am grateful for everyone’s continued vigilance.
Right now the plan is to maintain the schedule that is currently in place at each building implementing our safety protocols and procedures. We will continue to monitor district and local data and continue to work with guidance from Hamilton County public health officials. We are also gathering more information from our families with new perception surveys. Click on survey links provided above.
We are asking for student, and family participation by next Tuesday. While this data is in no way the deciding factor, it is important and part of the larger picture.
As always, you can access our health protocols on our website here.
Get instructions for what to do when quarantined here.
Get answers to many of your frequently asked questions here.
And see the latest district COVID-19 data here.
Canned Food Drive Kick-off
It’s almost time for this year’s Pass-It-On Food Drive. The Loveland Elementary PTA (LEPTA) and M/INT PTSA are joining together to provide Thanksgiving and Holiday meal baskets with the LIFE Food Pantry. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, canned goods will not be collected inside the buildings, but the canned food drive will continue in local neighborhoods and businesses. Gift cards are being collected inside school buildings. The Food Drive runs November 2-12.