(La Porte, IN) - Don't expect any changes in the current amount of in-school learning in La Porte, at least for the short term.  The plan is to keep schools open three days a week before and immediately after Christmas break, as long as there isn't a major spike in COVID-19 cases in the coming days.  

 

However, there will likely be more in-school learning after the first semester ends. La Porte Schools Superintendent Mark Francesconi told the school board on Monday night the number of COVID-19 cases and the infection rate in La Porte County seems to have improved recently.  He said the plan is to continue with in-person learning for three days a week under the current orange color code after students return from Christmas break.

 

Beginning at the start of the second semester on January 19, the amount of in-school learning per week will continue to be guided by a color code system developed by the Indiana State Department of Health, according to school officials. 

 

As they do presently, blue and yellow codes will allow for in-school learning five days a week.  However, the orange code in La Porte will change from three days of in-school learning a week to in-school learning five days a week.  A red code will change from virtual learning every day that week to three days of in-school learning and two days of virtual learning during the week, school officials said.  There will be no changes for students opting for alll distance learning. 

 

The Color Coded system is based on COVID-19 statistics for La Porte County, as published by the Indiana State Department of Health every Wednesday, officials said.  

 

According to ISDH, there were 86 new cases and no new deaths reported Tuesday in La Porte County.  The seven-day positivity rate in La Porte County was 11.3-percent.  The number of people testing positive for the virus in La Porte County was recently above 13-percent.