The teachers in the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School District are receiving plaudits and offers of help and support due to the extreme stress they are under.  When teachers are asked what they want as a “thank you” for working under stressful and difficult conditions this school year, most say the same thing – wear a mask, social distance and wash your hands regularly.

Health care professionals are saying the same thing…..if you respect the work they have been doing, wear the mask, stay 6 feet apart from others and keep your hands clean.

The City of Fishers is preparing a Public Health Order that goes beyond the executive order issued by Governor Eric Holcomb.  The details are here.

HSE Schools will be on virtual learning only for grades 7-12 beginning Monday and extending at least until Christmas Break.

The Fishers Board of Health chose not to follow the Health Department recommendation cancelling all school extra-curricular activities, much to the relief at the local schools.  However, those in attendance will be reduced to a very small number.

Just so you know, to the north in the state of Michigan, their state high school athletic association has issued an emergency order suspending fall tournaments and all winter sports.

The fact is this – in states around us and in most of the Midwest, the novel coronavirus is on fire.  Not only are positive tests and deaths at very high levels, local hospitals are filling up with those sick with COVID-19.  This impacts not just those testing positive, but everyone needing to be admitted to a hospital for any medical emergency.

I realize COVID-19 fatigue has set in.  We are weary of the all the guidance from the public health experts.  The problem is this – the virus doesn’t care whether we are fatigued, it will continue to spread based on our behavior.

Fishers is considering fines for those not following the Public Health Order expected to take effect Wednesday.  That is a statement by the city that our elected officials are serious about containing this virus.

I believe that with or without penalties for noncompliance, the essence of beating the spread of coronavirus lies within each of us.  We need to support the health professionals working long hours and dealing with the horrific health impact this virus has on the patients they are treating and their families.  We need to support the teachers working under stressful conditions to educate our young people as best they can under these trying circumstances.  We need to support the families that have lost a loved one or dealing with the long-term health impacts of the virus.

As I have written here before, I tested positive.  It was a tough virus to fight.  I was very lucky and, with the help of God, was able to completely recover, despite the fact that I am in a very high-risk category among coronavirus patients.

So, in support of all the people I have mentioned in this piece you need to support, count me as one.  For me, follow the public health guidance.  If we want to have our children back in the classrooms and have our hospitals at normal patient loads, fines or no fines, it is essentially up to us.

Please think about that.  We hold the condition of our community in our own hands.

Adam Aasen, Alec Toombs & Larry Lannan are once again together and talking about the latest in films, including several reviews.  Here is the November 14 edition.

The HSE School Board election is over and we know two winners and have a certified winner in the third as we wait to see whether a recount will be requested.

The unofficial results from the Hamilton County Election Office showed Sarah Donsbach as the winner for the at-large Delaware Township HSE School Board seat by 22 votes.  The certified results released November 13 show that margin to be 20 votes.

The second place winner in the Delaware Township race, incumbent Amanda Shera, has said she plans to request a recount.

So, we know Sarah Parks-Reese and Suzanne Thomas will assume their school board seats in January.  As of now, Sarah Donsbach is the certified winner of the third at-large seat, pending a possible recount.

Local schools will be able to continue their athletic and other extra-curricular programs after action Wednesday by the Fishers Board of Health.  The games and activities can go on, but the people at the events will be limited to one parent, support staff and players.  The Fishers Health Department had originally recommended that all school extra-curricular activities be cancelled.  The Board of Health decided instead to go with the state’s guidance for counties in red risk category, even though Hamilton County is a notch below that with an orange designation.

The board voted to keep the original recommendation intact for social gatherings, with a limit of 10 people inside and 25 people outside.

Restaurants in Fishers will be limited to 8 customers per table with 6-feet of separation between groups.  There will be no bar seating and no more than 2 people waiting in the lobby at one time.

Businesses generally in Fishers will be required to post signs telling customers that masks are required.  The Fishers Health Department says it will rely on the public to report violations.

City Attorney Chris Griesl will work with the Health Department to write the public health order, which should be available Monday and effective Wednesday.  The board will review the public health order in late November or early December.

Mayor Scott Fadness said the capacity for the free COVID-19 testing program will be expanded by 100 per day.

Below is a City of Fishers news release with more details:

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The Fishers Health Department’s Board of Health met today to approve a final determination for the Community Risk Rating recommendation revisions and updated Public Health Orders.

As a result of the Board’s action, the following Public Health Order will go into effect Wednesday, November 18.

Extracurricular and Sporting Activities: indoor K-12 extracurricular and co-curricular activities, including IHSAA sport events

• Groups/Teams must submit a COVID-19 mitigation plan to FHD for approval
• Follow Governor’s Order, in Red category, with attendance limited to parents, support staff, and players/participants only

Social Gatherings: a social gathering is an event, assembly, or convening that brings together multiple people, individually or from separate households, in a single location, whether held indoors or outdoors, in a private residence, commercial venue, or other public place, at the same time and in a coordinated fashion where a significant purpose is to interact with others – such as a wedding reception, funeral visitation, family reunion, party, barbeque, picnic, or club meeting

• Limited to 10 people max inside and 25 people max outside.

Special Events: an assembly or convening of multiple individuals from separate households in a single space, indoors, or outdoors, at the same time but where the main purpose is not necessarily for individuals to interact with other outside of one’s household but to engage in or attend a business/commercial function, single event, or events of limited duration – such as conference, conventions, sport or racing competitions, extracurricular school events, concerts, shows, fairs, festivals, carnivals, parades, graduation ceremonies, community holiday celebrations, fundraisers, or other entertainment events. 

• Must have approval for events more than 25 people.

Restaurants

• Masks shall be worn at all times while indoors except when eating or drinking.
• All patrons or group parties must be at least six (6) feet away from people at other tables.  Party size must be limited to eight (8) people or fewer at each table. Table service is required for indoor dining or drink service.
• No bar-top seating is permitted. Tables within a bar area may be open for table service. Customers must remain seated and congregation is not permitted.
• No more than two (2) persons may wait in the lobby for a table unless social distancing can be accommodated.
• All self-service beverage or food stations offering food items not prepackaged shall be closed.

Business

• Must follow State Order to post signs telling visitors to wear masks

Additionally, the Fishers Health Department signed an extension to the Fishers mask mandate for 30 days.

The Public Health Order will sunset on December 10.

It all started in late October.  I began to notice symptoms associated with the flu or a very bad cold.  I felt a low-grade fever, muscle aches and chest congestion.  I had a flu shot, but that doesn’t protect one from every strain.

After about three days of this, I contacted my doctor.  She recommended a COVID-19 test where I had the results the same day.  I tested positive.

My wife took the same test the following day and the results were negative.  We remained in the same household following guidelines from the CDC and thankfully Jane remains healthy through all this.

When one is my age, the test results were of great concern.  I am in a very high-risk category.

My physician was great through this ordeal.  We e-mailed every other day and she affirmed everything I was doing to take care of myself as the best I could do.

Once the flu-like symptoms went away, I went through a phase for several days where I had no energy at all.  I slept well at night, but when in my easy chair, I fell asleep during the day.  The virus sucked all the energy from me.

I won’t sugar-coat this, it was hard.  But I still count my lucky stars.  God was with me, because there was no problem with my breathing or oxygen levels.

After nearly two weeks, I felt fully recovered.  Once out of quarantine, I was able to go about my affairs feeling well.  For that, I am very thankful.

I am also thankful for the many friends and relatives that checked-in with me on how I was doing.  All your prayers and good wishes were appreciated and contributed to my recovery.

I found two other accounts of novel coronavirus hitting people.  Fishers City Councilman David George went on social media to describe his ordeal.  David, it is good to know you have recovered fully.

Then I saw the account of WTHR Investigative Reporter Bob Segall.  If you want to know more about how he handled the virus, use this link.  Bob, it is good to know you are recovered as well.

What continues to confound me is this – I was as careful as I could be in social distancing, wearing a mask and keeping my hands clean.  I still caught the virus.

My message to everyone is to take personal responsibility.  Follow the guidance of the public health professionals.  Think about what you do, even in your own home.

I know I will be redoubling my efforts to stay safe and would urge you to do the same.

COVID-19 is spreading everywhere and Fishers is no exception.  The infection rate will only go down based on what we all do.  Let’s all do this together.

The 126th Street and State Road 37 project is slated to be complete in November, but the latest update from the city does not provide a date as to when 126th Street will reopen to east-west traffic in that location.

The road construction list is much shorter as we enter the winter months.  Here is the update for the coming week as provided by the City of Fishers:

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STATE ROAD 37 AND 126TH STREET 
126th Street east of SR 37 is currently closed and is anticipated to reopen in November. During this time, cross access will be restricted, with only right in and right out for southbound traffic only. Northbound SR 37 traffic will not have access to 126th Street. Two lanes will remain in each direction. Local access to businesses will remain open. Detour route markers and advance warning signs will be in place prior to the closure. View the detour map here.

STATE ROAD 37 AND 146TH STREET
All left-turn lanes are currently restricted on SR 37 and on 146th Street with traffic moved to the interior lanes.  Through traffic and right turns on SR 37 and 146th Street will remain open. This phase is anticipated to be completed by the end of November. Drivers are encouraged to seek alternate routes for all left turn access. View an alternate route map here.

Please drive with caution through this area. To learn more about the State Road 37 Improvement Project and sign up to receive text updates, visit 37Thrives.com.

96TH STREET 
There will be daily lane closures for signal work the week of November 16 on 96th Street east of I-69 as part of the resurfacing and median island project. Please use caution while driving through this area. Check out the project fact sheet to learn more.

Currently grading and paving and crossing improvements are taking place on the Nickel Plate Trail between 126th Street and 131st Street and is anticipated to be completed in November.

Wednesday’s Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board meeting highlighted the staffing challenges the school district is facing in the age of the novel coronavirus.  Superintendent Allen Bourff sent a Twitter message Thursday letting parents know students would be bringing their technology home in anticipation of a possible all-virtual day Friday.

So, Friday the 13th will be a virtual education day for all HSE students, based on a Skylert message sent to parents.

Below is the text of the Skylert message:

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It has been our goal since the beginning of this pandemic to educate our students, while protecting the health and safety of our entire school community. We believe that our schools are safe places to learn, but at this time, we have a large number of staff members out and not enough sub coverage to provide for all 22 schools.

Not all reported absences are related to positive COVID tests, some may be from contact tracing, COVID-related symptoms or other personal reasons. This has led us to make the decision to have a Virtual Instruction day for students, preschool through grade 12, on Friday, November 13. All Students will follow their daily class schedule and teachers will communicate assignments, lessons and other needs via Zoom.  Families can access information as they normally would on Canvas.

• PreK – Teachers will communicate the schedule at the normal start time.
• K-4 – Teachers will begin the day with an all class Zoom at 9:00 AM.
• 5-6 – Teachers will begin the day with an all class Zoom at 8:30 AM
• 7-8 – Students will follow their normal Friday schedule.
• 9-12 – Students will follow their normal Friday schedule.

For families in need of childcare, the Fishers YMCA will be offering an all-day childcare option at Riverside Intermediate from 6:30am to 6:00pm. 

We anticipate our staffing shortages will be resolved by Monday, November 16 under the new Operations Plan, which is in effect until Winter Break (December 18).

• Grades PreK-4 will be 100% In-person.
• Grades 5-6 will be Hybrid (50/50).
• Grades 7-12 will go 100% Virtual.

Should you be interested in substituting in a classroom during this time, please click here to access an application.  Please remember these plans are fluid and may change at any time. Also, we encourage you to follow all health and safety guidelines as recommended by our Fishers Health Department to help slow the spread because #EveryActionCounts. 

The novel coronavirus is changing most of our lives, but school systems are presented with very specific challenges.  Brooke Lawson coordinates the mental health and counseling programs for HSE Schools.  She talks with me about some of those challenges in this podcast.

Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools took a hit in this school year’s enrollment, losing about 400 students compared to the previous year.  District Chief Financial Officer Cecilie Nunn told the school board Wednesday night that school systems throughout the state are seeing the same reductions in student population, likely related to the novel coronavirus.

The state funds local school corporations based on the number of students enrolled, so with fewer students, HSE Schools will be facing a $5 million budget deficit.  In an effort to deal with this, administrators are forming a task force to make recommendations for the board.  The members of that task force can be found at this link.

The task force will look for actions to reduce the funding deficit for the 2021-2022 school year.  The guiding principles for the group are to look at all programs and how they are delivered, look at innovative ways to deliver the programs and conduct any required staff reduction-in- force through attrition.

The group is scheduled to have its report to the school superintendent by late February and the board will see the recommendations in early March, 2021, with action projected by the end of March.

In other school board news from Wednesday night:

–The board had a preliminary discussion on naming the new elementary school in the works for Wayne Township.  Board President Michelle Fullhart suggested naming the building “Deer Creek Elementary.”  The board discussed how to move forward and no decision was made.

–Superintendent Allen Bourff says graduation ceremonies are already being planned, but admitted uncertainty about the COVID-19 situation makes such planning difficult.  Administrators will be looking at all the options.

Student class start times will change in the coming school year based on a vote Wednesday night by the Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) School Board.  The schedule is the same that was recommended by the committee and revealed publicly at the previous board meeting.

The vote was 5-2, with board members Amanda Shera and Sylvia Shepler voting no.

The new class start times will begin in the 2021-2022 school year.