EVSC hosts live Q&A, addresses parents' concerns, questions with back to school plan

July 07, 2020 by Earl Hopkins in Community, Education

uring 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.

EVSC School Board signals their support for district's reopening plan, few details released

June 26, 2020 by Earl Hopkins in Community, Education

Although 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.

Potential increase in school meal cost causes concern for some families

June 26, 2020 by Earl Hopkins in Community, Education

With 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.

USI's Children Learning Center to close due to lack of funding, health concerns

June 26, 2020 by Earl Hopkins in Community, Education

With a shortfall in university funding and concerns revolving around the COVID-19 pandemic, the University of Southern Indiana's Children's Learning Center (CLC) will not be reopening.

During a news conference Monday, university officials announced the closing of the CLC, which has primarily served children, ages 2-5, of USI faculty and staff.

Evansville Parks & Rec's Summer Play Daze provides entertainment, activities for area youth

June 26, 2020 by Earl Hopkins in Community

Although 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.

The reopening of Mesker Zoo offers much needed adventure post-quarantine

June 15, 2020 by Earl Hopkins in Community, Entertainment, Culture

As the Mesker Zoo Park & Botanic Garden reopened Monday, Kateryna Krasin said she couldn't wait to take her 10-month old daughter to see their favorite animals on display.

After the zoo closed due to the novel coronavirus, Krasin and other local families were relegated to Google searches and virtual tours online to get their exotic animal fix. But with Mesker staff welcoming back locals for the first time since March, dozens of families joined Krasin as she roamed through the zoo's grounds.

USI will provide drive-thru campus tours for families, students

June 10, 2020 by Earl Hopkins in Community, Education

While facilities are closed through July 6 due to restrictions around the COVID-19 pandemic, the University of Southern Indiana is providing another way for prospective students to tour the school's grounds in-person.

Led by a Screagle Pride admissions van, families can tour the university's academic buildings, sports arenas, residential spaces and future development sites from their cars during USI's drive-thru campus tours.

Evansville protester, 69, hopes 'to see something change'

June 05, 2020 by Earl Hopkins in Community

Protester Janice King, who has taken part in the recent rallies in Evansville to protest racial injustice, said she will continue protesting for equality and the end of police brutality toward unarmed black men.

"I'm a black woman, and I've felt racism all my life. I'm 69 years old and hoping to see something change before I pass... I just don't want to see black people go away."

Henderson YMCA welcomes back members ready for exercise

June 03, 2020 by Earl Hopkins in Community

After the closing of the Henderson County Family YMCA during the pandemic, long-time member Anthony Burrus said most of his exercise time has been spent at his kitchen table.

"I've been working a fork or spoon, that's about it," he said jokingly. "It's time to get rid of this quarantine belly."

UE students set to return to in-person instruction for fall semester

June 01, 2020 by Earl Hopkins in Community, Education

In a press release Thursday evening, University of Evansville officials announced the school's plans to reopen campus for in-person instruction no later than Aug. 26.

Based on feedback from students, faculty and staff, UE President Christopher Pietruszkiewicz said the university is committed to shifting back to traditional, face-to-face courses in the fall.

USI officials approve tentative budget, new plans for fall semester

June 01, 2020 by Earl Hopkins in Education, Community

The University of Southern Indiana Thursday, after a special meeting of the Board of Trustees, announced changes for the next school year as well as the approval of a tentative operating budget.

The announcements came from the USI Steering Committee, which represents more than 125 members of the COVID-19 task force.

Plans for reopening Evansville-area schools, colleges still unclear

June 01, 2020 by Earl Hopkins in Community, Education

While 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.

Area school districts announce plans for potential graduation ceremonies in July

June 01, 2020 by Earl Hopkins in Education, Community

Just a few weeks ago, local high school seniors were bracing to miss out on a traditional graduation ceremony, a milestone many have counted on throughout their school years.

Having missed out on prom, traditional award banquets and other events due to the coronavirus, many expected graduations to take place virtually or through some other non-traditional approach.

Read Evansville brings together community organizations to provide books for students

June 01, 2020 by Earl Hopkins in Education, Community

In an effort to distribute books to local families, Read Evansville has joined forces with Feed Evansville for a community-wide project.

The two organizations, along with other volunteers and youth-serving agencies, have combined their resources to ensure students avoid learning loss this summer.

EVSC schools to host traditional ceremonies for graduating seniors this summer

May 22, 2020 by Earl Hopkins in Community, Education

After conducting phone surveys across the district to decide how to honor graduating seniors, the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp. plans to host traditional commencement celebrations this summer.

Out of the 899 senior families that responded to the survey, 80% favored in-person celebrations to take place in July.

Teachers, students reconnect to close out school year during item exchanges

May 22, 2020 by Earl Hopkins in Community, Education

There were warm smiles, "air hugs" and streams of tears Thursday, as teachers and staff said their good byes to students during item exchanges at each Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp. building.