In the months leading up to the school year, Leah Whitaker searched for ways Evansville Day School students could learn in-person while safely maintaining the school's "learn through play" educational plan.
The risks of the novel coronavirus forced Whitaker and other EDS administrators to seek other instructional options for the school's reopening.
Read MoreThe first day of school always feels like a leap of faith, even in the best of circumstances.
In neighborhoods across the country, hundreds of children pour into buildings short on funding and long on need, looking to come out the other side better educated and ready to move on to bigger things.
So it's understandable that Wednesday morning felt like a hail mary.
Read MoreAs COVID-19 cases continue to rise in the days leading up to the first day of school for the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp., so do the number of families shifting to online learning.
EVSC spokesman Jason Woebkenberg said Tuesday more than 1,700 students are enrolled in the EVSC Virtual Academy, a program that normally has between 75-100 students each year. That's an increase of at least 1,600% or as much as 2,167%.
Read MoreAlthough Indiana's top marching bands won't battle it out this year on the statewide level, the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp. will set the stage for local schools to perform this fall.
On Sept.12 at Central High School and Sept. 19 at North High School EVSC will hold showcases for the district's marching bands to put their routines on display.
Read MoreGiven a choice between in-person and virtual learning, most Signature School families have opted for face-to-face instruction. And while Principal Jean Hitchcock is excited for the students to return on Wednesday, she said their safety remains the school's top priority.
Along with rearranging desks and taping off instructional areas with measuring sticks, Hitchcock said Signature will live-stream classes for families opting to learn from home.
Read MoreThe Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp. has purchased thousands of protective personal equipment (PPE) items for the upcoming school year, and while that is not enough to allay all families' fears, parent Hannah Reagan says it has provided a sense of reassurance.
Read MoreDuring a nearly two-hour long Facebook Live presentation Tuesday evening, Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp. Superintendent David Smith outlined more information about the district's new reopening plan.
Smith went through the expansive plan, which includes pages of updated safety measures, health guidelines and other information concerning the start of the school year.
Read MoreAs a concerned parent, Sloane Standley said more families should consider placing their children in virtual learning academies this school year.
After the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp. announced its reopening plans, calling for schools to welcome back all students for traditional instruction on Aug. 19, Standley decided to move her children, Leighton and Maddox Beasley, from their schools to an online-learning program.
Read MoreDuring a late Friday afternoon news conference, Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp. Superintendent David Smith announced EVSC schools will delay the start of the 2020-21 school year by two weeks.
The first day of school will now be Wednesday, Aug. 19.
Read MoreAs the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp. finalizes its reopening plan for the fall, schools will develop websites to inform families and students about school-specific procedures and protocols.
The district announced via its Facebook page Monday that all 40 schools will have websites to detail students' arrival, dismissal, class schedules, lunch periods and other daily happenings at each individual school.
Read MoreAfter months of uncertainty and delayed announcements, families are doubtful school districts will be able to follow their reopening plans.
The Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp. and some other area corporations have announced schools will welcome back students in the fall, as early as Aug. 5.
Here's how four area families are feeling about the return to school:
Read Moreuring a Facebook Live Q&A session on Monday, area parents voiced their concerns about the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation's reopening plans.
As originally scheduled, EVSC will welcome back all students Aug. 5 as well as offering both short and long-term virtual options through remote learning and the EVSC Virtual Academy.
Superintendent David Smith said he hoped the live Q&A would allow families to voice their concerns and get questions answered about the district's plans this fall.
Read MoreAlthough the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation's announced reopening plan lacked specifics about COVID-19 prevention measures, school board members said they are confident those details are being thoroughly worked out.
On Tuesday, Superintendent David Smith announced the district's reopening plan in an online podcast, with students expected to return to traditional learning environments at schools on Aug. 5.
Read MoreWith prices of school breakfast and lunch meals possibly increasing next school year, Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp. parent Karese Johnson is concerned the move could pose problems for low-income families.
During Monday's school board meeting, Carl Underwood, assistant superintendent of Business Operations, motioned a potential plan to increase all school meal prices by more than 6 percent.
Read MoreAlthough city pools are closed and many other summer activities have been cancelled due to COVID-19, the Evansville Department of Parks & Recreation is offering another way for kids to have fun through its Summer Play Daze program.
The program for children ages 5-14 will take place 1-2 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday through July 16 at different neighborhood parks.
Read MoreWhile stay-at-home restrictions have been lifted, area colleges and school districts remain tight-lipped about how local campuses and facilities will welcome students this fall.
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