The following is a statement issued this morning by Indiana Area School District Superintendent Michael J. Vuckovich:
Dear Friends and Families:
I hope all of you are doing well as our daily lives have drastically been changed for the short-term due to the coronavirus pandemic. The challenges, conditions, and confirmed cases are changing minute by minute. Despite the short-term impact on our way of life, I am confident we will overcome the obstacles with which we are currently faced.
Leadership matters the most when it is needed. I am appreciative of the area community organizations and businesses that are there in our students’ time of need. I would like to thank Spaghetti Benders for offering free lunches for students in grades K-12 during the closure, as well as the many other organizations and businesses that offer so many of our students unwavering support now, and every day. Indiana is truly a special place, and I am reminded of this more than ever as everyone is pulling together to help support each other and our students.
We are working diligently to maintain a portion of our website updated with the various supports and resources for families to view during the closure. The page includes a list of food options for students during the closure and information about the local food bank. To access this information, please visit our website at www.iasd.ccand click on the “coronavirus information” link located under the “students and parents” tab. Once there, simply click on the “resources” link to see the different food options available. Please visit the site frequently, as more and more organizations and businesses continue to lead in our time of need by providing more support. Additionally, please check our Facebook and Twitter accounts, as we will also be using social media to relay timely information about COVID-19 as the situation evolves.
Children look to adults for how to react to stressful events. It is important to remain calm and reassure your child(ren). As much as possible, try to keep to a regular schedule. A consistent schedule or routine provides comfort and a sense of safety for children. Also, in the absence of factual information, children often imagine situations far worse than reality; therefore, give your children factual information about COVID-19. The National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) has a resource for parents with additional guidelines, which is also located on the district’s resource webpage.
The area superintendents, principals, business managers, administrators, and association leadership worked as a unified team on Friday to help prepare for any possible disruptions our students and families will face during the closure. We will continue to plan together during these unique and fluid times. I am grateful for everyone’s efforts, teamwork, and leadership.
For families who are seeking ways to be helpful during a closure, please consider the following actions:
1) Offer childcare for those you know who are not able to take time off work.
2) Donate to local food banks.
3) Support our local businesses where many of our families work.
We will continue to monitor the situation and communicate any updates. We anticipate that there will be many changes and updates, so please be understanding. Thank you for your support and patience while dealing with this matter.
Respectfully,
Michael J. Vuckovich
Superintendent of Schools
