Proposed MCS School Board meeting minutes for April 13, 2021.
http://www.mcsin-k12.org/about/board/minutes/2020-2021/210413_M.pdf

Pending official approval at its April 13 board meeting, the MCS Board of School Trustees announces Dr. Jayson Snyder as the new Superintendent of Middlebury Community Schools effective July 1, 2021.

Dr. Snyder is currently the Director of Talent Acquisition & Development for the Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation. In this role, he led and supported all matters related to K-12 curriculum, instruction, and assessment for the school district. Dr. Snyder oversaw 11 of PHM’s 15 schools while also mentoring and coaching administrators. Over the last four years, Dr. Snyder led PHM’s effort to recruit and hire numerous administrators and over 150 certified teachers. Dr. Snyder also worked closely with the PHM Teachers’ Association, serving six years on the District's Administrative Team during the collective bargaining process. He oversaw the District’s non-resident transfer practices in order to maximize enrollment and generate new, ongoing revenue. Additionally, he developed the current District-wide system for Response to Intervention (RtI) and worked with other PHM administrators to improve the process of teacher observation via an instructional coaching model. Prior to his four years of Central Office experience, Dr. Snyder was the Principal at Meadow’s Edge Elementary, earning five consecutive “A” ratings as well as State and National recognition for student achievement in a Title I school. During his 18 years in public education, Dr. Snyder has also served as a middle school assistant principal and taught at both the elementary and middle school levels.
Dr. Snyder holds a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from Purdue University, a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from IUSB, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership & Policy from Purdue University. He is also certified in human resources from the Indiana Association of School Business Officials. Dr. Snyder previously earned recognition as an Indiana District 2 Principal of the Year, IUSB Excellence in Administration award winner, and named a Michiana Forty Under 40 winner (2014) by the St. Joseph County Chamber of Commerce.

Dr. Snyder and his wife, Jen, have been married for 18 years and they have two daughters, Isabel (age 14) and Katelyn (age 12). The Snyder family is excited about moving to the Middlebury community and joining our outstanding school district!

Press Release (Download as PDF)

Notice is hereby given to the taxpayers of the school corporation known as Middlebury Community Schools (the "School Corporation") that the Board of School Trustees (the "Board") of the School Corporation will meet at 56853 Northridge Drive, Middlebury, Indiana, at the hour of 4:00 p.m. (Local Time) on May 4, 2021, to consider the following additional appropriation of the bonds (the "Bonds") which the Board has determined to issue.  The Board considers such additional appropriation necessary to meet the need existing at this time:

An appropriation in the amount of $5,575,000 from the proceeds of the Bonds, and all investment earnings thereon, on account of the renovation and construction of improvements to the high school including building additions and the purchase of equipment and technology (the "Project") in the School Corporation, including the incidental expenses necessary to be incurred in connection with the Project and the issuance of Bonds on account thereof.  The funds to meet such additional appropriation are to be provided by the issuance and sale of Bonds by the School Corporation.

The foregoing appropriation is in addition to all appropriations provided for in the existing budget and tax levy, and a need for such appropriation exists by reason of the inadequacy of the present buildings to provide necessary school facilities in the School Corporation.

Taxpayers of the School Corporation appearing at said meeting shall have the right to be heard in respect to the additional appropriation.

In light of the changing circumstances as they relate to COVID-19 and the Indiana Governor's Executive Orders regarding social distancing, please check the School Corporation's website prior to the scheduled hearing to receive up to date information about meeting logistics. 

Dated this 24th day of March, 2021.

R. Mitchell Miller
/s/ Secretary, Board of School Trustees
Middlebury Community Schools

Pursuant to Indiana Code § 6-1.1-20-5, notice is hereby given that the Board of School Trustees of the Middlebury Community Schools has preliminarily determined to issue bonds in  a principal amount not to exceed $5,575,000 to fund the following proposed renovation and construction of improvements to the high school including building additions and the purchase of equipment and technology.

Dated:  March 24, 2021

R. Mitchell Miller
/s/ Secretary, Board of School Trustees
Middlebury Community Schools

NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING CONCERNING THE PROPOSED CONTRACT BETWEEN MIDDLEBURY COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION EMPLOYING A SUPERINTENDENT

On March 29, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. in the Middlebury Community Schools’ Administration Office located at 56853 Northridge Drive, Middlebury Indiana, the Board of School Trustees will meet to discuss and hear from the public objections to and support for the proposed contract, which will be effective from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2024.

Proposed Contract Details

2021 - ’22 School Year
Annual Base Salary	$135,000
Annual 403(b) Plan Contribution	$4,050
Annual Teacher Retirement Fund Contribution @	$4,050
Annual VEBA Plan Contribution	$1,350
Annual Group Health Insurance Premium Contribution	$15,553
Annual Group Dental Insurance Premium Contribution	$1,183
Annual Vision Insurance Premium Contribution	$179
Annual Long Term Disability Premium Contribution	$630
Annual Term Life Premium Contribution ($100,000 Death Benefit)	$132
Annual Automobile Allowance (insurance and maintenance)	$6,000
Annual Technology Allowance	$1,000

@  Indicates that Middlebury Community Schools’ contribution on behalf of the superintendent is the same percentage of salary that is contributed on behalf of teachers.

Agreement Length:  The superintendent’s contract is for a term of 36 months.  The proposed contract can be canceled by the Board of School Trustees for the reasons set out in Indiana statute. 

Unless otherwise annually decided by the school board, the contract term shall automatically be extended for an additional year, up to five annual exclusions.

The superintendent and Middlebury Community Schools can by mutual agreement cancel the proposed contract at any time.

Work days:  The superintendent annually receives four weeks of vacation, which the superintendent may carry over to be used by the next December 31.  If any of those carried over vacation days remain on that December 31^st date, Middlebury Community Schools shall pay the superintendent for no more than five days of those unused days.

Increases:  The Board of School Trustees annually reviews the superintendent’s performance, if the superintendent achieves an effective, highly effective, or equivalent rating as part of that evaluation, the superintendent receives a salary increase equivalent to a percentage basis to that received by certified staff members.  The superintendent also receives a stipend equal to that received by certified staff members if a stipend is paid to them and if the superintendent receives an effective or highly effective rating.

Pursuant to Indiana Code § 20-26-7-37, the Board of School Trustees of Middlebury Community Schools gives notice that on March 16, 2021, at 4:00 p.m., they will meet in public session at 56853 Northridge Drive, Middlebury, Indiana, to discuss and hear objections and support regarding the proposed renovation and construction of improvements to the high school including building additions and the purchase of equipment and technology.  You are invited to attend and participate in the public hearing.

In light of the changing circumstances as they relate to COVID-19 and the Indiana Governor's Executive Orders regarding social distancing, please check the School Corporation's website prior to the scheduled hearing to receive up to date information about meeting logistics. 

Dated:  March 3, 2021

Mitchell Miller
/s/ Secretary, Board of School Trustees
Middlebury Community Schools

The Middlebury Community School District is offering tuition-free enrollment in Middlebury Community Schools for the 2021-2022 school year.

Student Transfer Application

We want to make sure that everyone receives this information in order to clear up confusion in the future.

Middlebury Community Schools 2 Hour Delay Start Times (when a 2-hour delay is called)

These times are for every day of the week when a 2-hour delay is called.

K-3 Grades: Classes begin at 9:40am

         The bus will pick up students 2-hours later than a usual day

Heritage Intermediate:  Classes begin at 10:00am

         The bus will pick up students 2-hours later than a usual day

NMS:  Classes begin at 10:40am.

          Students may enter the building at 10:10am

          The bus will pick up students 70 minutes later than a usual day

NHS:   Classes begin at 10:45am

          Students may enter the building at 10:15am

          The bus will pick up students 70 minutes later then a usual day

MIDDLEBURY, Ind. -- Tom Wogomon is retiring from the position of Head Football Coach at Northridge High School. He informed the student-athletes and coaching staff in a meeting this morning. A search for his replacement will begin immediately.

“Tom did an outstanding job of taking our program to the next level,” Northridge High School Athletic Director Dave Harms said. “He came in with high expectations from the start and maintained them throughout.”

Wogomon began his tenure in 2013 and became the winningest head coach in Northridge history after an eight-year run. He led the Raiders to their only 3 football championships -- sectional and regional titles in 2014 and the school’s lone Northern Lakes Conference championship in 2017. Wogomon was named NLC Coach of the Year in 2017 after guiding Northridge to its lone unbeaten regular season in program history.

Wogomon compiled a 52-34 win-loss record at Northridge, guiding the Raiders to five winning seasons after the program had just eight winning campaigns in its 42 previous seasons.

The deadline to apply for the Northridge High School head football coaching vacancy is Monday, March 1, 2021. Interested candidates should visit mcsin-k12.org, click on Human Resources, and click Job Listings/Applications.

“We’re looking for an energetic, positive, influential coach with high character and great leadership skills who can continue the Northridge tradition,” Harms said.

Middlebury Community Schools is on a 2-hour delay today, Janaury 20, 2021.

School start times for the 2-hour delay today are:
K-3 = 9:40
HIS = 10:00
NMS = 10:40
NHS = 10:45

Please be safe!!

Joanna King was appointed to the Middlebury Community Schools Board of School Trustees in July of 2006. She has served on the School Board for more than 14 years. We appreciate all of the time she has taken to build relationships with staff and students, attend extra-curricular and co-curricular activities in support of students, and find ways to help us be good stewards of taxpayer funds. She has taught us the power of problem solving with school funding, thinking outside the box, and especially how to listen. She has rarely missed a board meeting and attended all of the ISBA Fall Conferences and Regional Meetings. She is a strong student advocate, a teacher advocate and a public school advocate. We are so very thankful for her willingness to serve our children and our community all these years. We look forward to watching her represent us in Indiana Legislature. Congratulations Mrs. King!

Due to the resignation of Joanna King, the Middlebury Community Board of School Trustees is seeking an individual to complete her term, which runs through December 31, 2024. This individual must be a registered voter and a resident of Middlebury Township and not live within the Middlebury town limits. The school board will be accepting letters of interest and applications until Wednesday, December 30, 2020. Applications can be accessed on the MCS website at https://www.mcsin-k12.org/bulletins/files/docs/School_Board_Application_Form.pdf or the Middlebury Community Schools’ Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/middleburycs. If you would like an application mailed or emailed, please call the Administration Center at 574-825-9425.

The Middlebury Community Schools Board of School Trustees is accepting applications for the position of Superintendent of Schools. The current Superintendent is retiring June 30, 2021.

Announcement of Opening

Application for Superintendent

A new event calendar for the 2021-2022 school year was approved by the school board at the November 17, 2020 board meeting.

2021-2022 MCS Event Calendar (PDF)

Due to Elkhart County high numbers and community spread of COVID-19, all students in grades 6-12 will continue virtual learning until January 19, 2021.    That means there will not be in-person learning for 6th-12th grade students until January 19, 2021.  This only applies to middle school and high school students.  Thank you for your understanding and patience.   

 

Debido a la gran cantidad de personas con el virus Covid-19 en el condado de Elkhart, todos los estudiantes en los grados 6 por 12 continuarán el escolar virtual hasta el 19 de enero de 2021. Ese significa que no habrá enseñanza en persona para los estudiantes de los grados 6 al 12 hasta el 19 de enero de 2021. Esto solo se aplica a los estudiantes de secundaria y preparatoria (Middle School y High School). Agradecemos su comprensión y paciencia durante este tiempo. 

November 6, 2020

Dear MCS 6th – 12^th Grade Parents,

Beginning Monday, November 9, all students who currently attend Northridge Middle School and Northridge High School will move to virtual learning until November 30.  That means that all current 6^th -12^th grade students will be virtual beginning on Monday until the Monday after Thanksgiving. 

VIRTUAL LEARNING:

• Teachers will teach virtually (either Livestream or pre-recorded videos) from their classrooms. 
• Students will be expected to log in to each class at the regular scheduled time that they would if they were in school.
• Attendance will be taken for each class period.
• Assignments and tests will need to be completed in a timely manner and with integrity.
• The quality of student virtual work will have the same expectations as student in person work.
• Students without access to internet during the day will be provided with video recorded lessons and assignments.

• Technology repair rooms will remain open during their normal hours at the middle school and high school to assist with repair of devices.  Students may come to the building during repair hours for assistance. 

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES/CLUBS:

• All school-sponsored clubs that currently take place at school will continue.
• All after school extra-curricular rehearsals and performances will continue as planned in the school setting.
• All after school extra-curricular athletic practices and contests will continue as planned.
• Spectators at all events will be limited.
• If your child is in need of transportation to after school practices and games, please notify the school.

 

FOOD SERVICE:

• Students may still receive a free breakfast and lunch each day from November 9-24.
• Parents must notify the school by noon the day before if they wish to pick up meals by calling the school.
• Parents may choose someone to pick up for their child.
• Families with students in both the middle school and high school may pick up meals at one school, but they need to let the school know when they call.
• Breakfasts and lunches will be available for pick-up at the middle school and the high school between the hours of 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

We are aware that this change may cause some of you distress.  Thank you for your patience as we shift our plan to virtual at this time. 

Sincerely,

Mrs. Jane Allen, Superintendent

6 de noviembre de 2020

 

Estimados padres de los estudiantes de grados 6 por 12 de MCS:

 

Empezando Lunes, el 9 de noviembre, todos los estudiantes que actualmente asisten a Northridge Middle School y Northridge High School pasarán al escolar virtual hasta el 30 de noviembre. Eso significa que todos los estudiantes actuales de 6º a 12º grado serán virtuales desde el lunes hasta el lunes después del Día de Acción de Gracias.

 

ESCOLAR VIRTUAL:

 

• Los maestros enseñarán virtualmente (ya sea en vivo o videos pregrabados) desde sus salones de clase.

 

• Se espera que los estudiantes inicien sesión (log on) en cada clase a la hora programada regular que lo harían si estuvieran en la escuela.

 

• Los maestros tomarán la asistencia para cada período de clase como usual.

 

• Las tareas y los examenes deberán ser cumplidos de manera oportuna y con integridad.

 

• La calidad del trabajo virtual del estudiante tendrá las mismas expectativas que el trabajo del estudiante en persona.

 

• Los estudiantes que no tengan acceso a Internet durante el día recibirán lecciones y tareas  grabadas en video.

 

• Los salones de reparación de tecnología permanecerán abiertos durante sus horas normales en la escuela intermedia y secundaria para ayudar con la reparación de dispositivos. Los estudiantes pueden venir al edificio durante las horas de reparación para obtener ayuda.

 

ACTIVIDADES EXTRA-CURRICULARES / CLUBES:

 

• Todos los clubes patrocinados por la escuela que se llevan a cabo actualmente en la escuela continuarán.

 

• Todos los ensayos y presentaciones extracurriculares después de la escuela continuarán según lo planeado en el entorno escolar.

 

• Todas las prácticas y competencias atléticas extracurriculares después de la escuela continuarán según lo planeado.

 

• Los espectadores en todos los eventos serán limitados.

 

• Si su hijo necesita transporte para las prácticas y los juegos después de la escuela, notifique a la escuela.

 

SERVICIO DE COMIDA:

 

• Los estudiantes aún pueden recibir un desayuno y almuerzo gratis todos los días laborales del 9 al 24 de noviembre.

 

• Los padres deben notificar a la escuela antes del mediodía del día anterior si desean ordenar las comidas llamando a la escuela.

 

• Los padres pueden elegir a alguien para que recoja a su hijo.

 

• Las familias con estudiantes en la escuela intermedia y secundaria pueden recoger las comidas en una escuela, pero deben informar a la escuela cuando llamen para ordenar.

 

• Los desayunos y almuerzos estarán disponibles para recoger en la escuela intermedia y secundaria entre las 11:00 a.m. y la 1:00 p.m.

 

Entendemos que todo de estos cambios puede causarles angustia a algunos de ustedes. Gracias por su paciencia mientras cambiamos nuestro plan a virtual en este momento.

 

Saludos Cordiales,

 

Sra. Jane Allen, Superintendente

This is an important message from Middlebury Community Schools. 

 

Beginning Monday, November 9, students in grades 6-12 will move to virtual learning until November 30. 

There will not be in-person learning for 6th-12th grade students until after Thanksgiving.  This only applies to middle school and high school students.  It does NOT apply to K-5 students. 

Free breakfasts and lunches will be available each day at the middle school and high school for pick-up between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.  Parents must call the school if they want meals by noon the day before they pick them up.  

Specific information about virtual learning and meals can be found on the MCS Facebook page and website.  Thank you for your understanding and patience.

 

Este es un mensaje importante desde las Escuelas de la Comunidad de Middlebury.

Empezando lunes, el  9 de noviembre, los estudiantes de los grados 6 a 12 pasarán al escolar virtual (por Internet) hasta el 30 de noviembre. No habrá escuela en persona para los estudiantes de los grados 6 al 12 hasta después del Día de Acción de Gracias. Esto solo se aplica a los estudiantes de secundaria y preparatoria (Middle School y High School). Habrá desayunos y almuerzos por gratis disponibles todos los días laborales en la escuela intermedia y secundaria para llevar entre las horas de 11:00 en la manana a la 1:00 en el tarde. Los padres deben llamar a la escuela si quieren ordenar comida para los estudiantes antes del mediodía del día anterior a la recogida. Se puede encontrar información específica sobre el escolar virtual y las comidas en la página de Facebook y el sitio de red de Middlebury Community Schools. Gracias por su comprensión y paciencia durante este tiempo.

 

Athletic Complex Brick Paver Order Form

October 1, 2020 - The phone company that provides service to Middlebury Community Schools is experiencing an outage.  Please note that we are having difficulty answering and receiving phone calls at this time.  Thank you for your patience!

Parents and Guardians of Middlebury Community Schools:

These certainly are challenging times we are in but we want to start off by thanking you for your help and patience with us as we navigate these uncharted waters. As you all are aware, circumstances are constantly changing as we learn more information about COVID-19. We just wanted to send you a few reminders so that we can keep moving forward toward a new normal with healthy students, staff and teachers.

Please remember to screen your children every morning before you bring them to school with the parent screening tool. If your child has two or more of the symptoms listed on the screening tool, you MUST keep them home. It is best to notify your child’s doctor to inform them of your student’s symptoms and get their recommendations.

If your child is tested for COVID-19, your child may NOT return to school until you get the results. If your child tests negative AND the symptoms that caused you to be tested have improved, your child may return to school. Your child’s respective school nurse must receive a copy of that negative result before returning to school. If a person in the household is getting tested, consider keeping siblings/family members at all grade levels home until results are received. This prevents the spread of COVID-19, should your child come back positive for COVID-19 and ultimately limits those exposed. If your child tests positive, please notify the school immediately.

Please remember that the decisions you make to send your sick child to school could impact many other students and even an entire classroom if your child tests positive for COVID-19. We all have the same goal of wanting our students to remain healthy and safe. As nurses, we understand that not everything is COVID-19. Children get on average eight viruses per year, which is normal. However, since symptoms of COVID-19 are so similar to other common viruses, the only way to know for sure is to get a COVID-19 test. It will be up to the discretion of your student’s respective school nurse to send your child home if they present with symptoms.

Please let us know if you have questions related to COVID-19 or need help finding resources related to COVID-19. Take care of yourselves, be well, and remember, we are all in this together.

Signed,

Denise Balmer, RN (NHS)
Patsy Stauffer, RN (NMS)
Cindy Ritchie, RN (HIS)
Kathy Byler, RN (JES)
Beth Gleim, RN (MES)
Robbie Hernandez, RN (OVES)
Brittany Yoder, RN (YES)

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uxDa50M8cBsktijCeGJS6E4GdYub5OnUtMo3U06EFIw?usp=sharing

The Notice to Taxpayers is available online at www.budgetnotices.in.gov or by calling (888) 739-9826.

Complete details of budget estimates by fund and/or department may be seen by visiting the office of this unit of government at 56853 Northridge Dr, Middlebury, IN 46540.

Notice is hereby given to taxpayers of MIDDLEBURY COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION, Elkhart County, Indiana that the proper officers of Middlebury Community Schools will conduct a public hearing on the year 2021 budget. Following this meeting, any ten or more taxpayers may object to a budget, tax rate, or tax levy by filing an objection petition with the proper officers of Middlebury Community Schools not more than seven days after the hearing. The objection petition must identify the provisions of the budget, tax rate, or tax levy to which taxpayers object. If a petition is filed, Middlebury Community Schools shall adopt with the budget a finding concerning the objections in the petition and testimony presented. Following the aforementioned hearing, the proper officers of Middlebury Community Schools will meet to adopt the following budget:

Public Hearing Date	Tuesday, October 06, 2020
Public Hearing Time	4:00 PM
Public Hearing Location	56853 Northridge Dr, Middlebury, IN 46540

Adoption Meeting Date	Tuesday, October 20, 2020
Adoption Meeting Time	4:00 PM
Adoption Meeting Location	56853 Northridge Dr, Middlebury, IN 46540

Est. School Operations Max Levy	$7,178,768
Property Tax Cap Credit Estimate	$532,220

Prescribed by the Department of Local Government Finance
Approved by the State Board of Accounts
Budget Form No. 3 (Rev. 2019) Print 9/16/2020 10:27:19 AM

(Download this Notice as a PDF)

This is a very important message from Middlebury Community Schools.  The Elkhart County Health Department notified us that we must begin school 100% virtually instead of in person.  That means no students will attend school in person from August 12 until September 28.  Your schools will contact you about virtual instruction, picking up devices, supplies, and meeting teachers.  All athletic practices and contests are canceled until September 28.  Please help your children understand that we will see them in person as soon as we can.

Spanish Version

Este es un mensaje importante de Middlebury Community Schools. El Departamento de Salud del Condado de Elkhart nos informó que debemos comenzar las clases 100& virtualmente en lugar de en persona. Eso significa que ningún estudiante asistirá a la escuela en persona desde el 12 de agosto hasta el 28 de septiembre. Sus escuelas estarán en contacto con usted para recibir instrucciones virtuales, recoger dispositivos electrónicos, útiles escolares, y reuniones con maestros. Todas las prácticas y competencias deportivas se cancelan hasta el 28 de septiembre. Por favor ayude a sus hijos a comprender que los veremos en persona lo antes posible.

  Student Accident Insurance 2020-2021  Markel Flyer

Enroll online at http://markel.sevencorners.com or call 877-444-5014 for enrollment by phone.  Payment must be made by credit or debit card.

  Seguro Estudiantil de Accidente 2020-2021  Markel Folleto

Enlistar en La Red http://markel.sevencorners.com o llamar por teléfono 877-444-5014.  Pago se debe hacer con una tarjeta de credito ó debito.

Elkhart County Health Department Public Service Announcement #2

Elkhart County Health Department Public Service Announcement

Elkhart County Health Department Public Service Announcement Spanish Version

COVID-19 Screening for Parents

Elkhart County Health Department Mask Mandate

Elkhart County Health Department Mask Mandate Spanish Version

Elkhart County Health Department Mask Mandate FAQ

Elkhart County Health Department Mask Mandate FAQ Spanish Version

Below is the link for our Back To School Parent Survey. We invite you to complete this survey if you have students who attend Middlebury Community Schools. We value your input as we plan for the return to school in the fall.

https://forms.gle/a71wbJcAK6Vxr8aC9

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfyMB8Ym0v6ePsJZXIEdSrRMkitWIY0V-k4JpWNQ23tacBspQ/viewform

Due to the resignation of Robert Souder, the Middlebury Community Board of School Trustees is seeking an individual to complete his term, which runs through December 31, 2020. This individual must be a resident of Jefferson Township.  The school board will be accepting letters of interest and applications until Monday, June 29, 2020.  Applications can be accessed on the MCS website at https://www.mcsin-k12.org/bulletins/files/docs/School_Board_Application_Form.pdf or the Middlebury Community Schools’ Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/middleburycs. If you would like an application mailed or emailed, please call the Administration Center at 574-825-9425.

Health Department News Release 6/15/20 (PDF)

Lydia Mertz, MD
Elkhart County Health Officer
June 15, 2020

As you know, Elkhart County is in the midst of a Coronavirus outbreak that is hitting the county hard. The recent mask guidance will help you decide how best to use a mask to protect your family and neighbors. This is in addition to all the other measures we have been talking about for the past few months: wash your hands frequently with soap and water; use social distancing of 6 feet whenever possible; if not possible to distance, wear a mask; clean frequently touched surfaces often; stay home if you are feeling ill. We all need to be doing all these things to bring down the rate of Covid-19 in Elkhart County.

I also want to give you some of the data I see, to let you know how things are going.

• Week of May 24-30 we saw 307 new cases, out of 1,964 tests, for a positivity rate of 15.6%
• Week of May 31-June 6 we saw 413 cases out of 2,541 tests, for a positivity rate of 16.2%
• Week of June 7-13, we have seen 375 new cases, but the numbers on tests are still coming in as of this writing. The preliminary numbers look like the positivity rate will continue to climb, possibly to close to 20%.

When we see the rate of positive cases increasing that fast, we have cause for alarm. We need to act now, prevent an even steeper increase, and get the curve flattened. Only by being far more vigilant in our actions as we encounter and interact with others can we prevent more disease and death. Please remember, we have no treatment or vaccine for this virus. The only way to control the spread is by our own actions. Let’s all look to flatten the curve and keep each other safe!

Lydia Mertz, MD
Elkhart County Health Officer
608 Oakland Ave., Elkhart, IN 46516
(574)-523-2105
lmertz@elkhartcounty.com
elkhartcountyhealth.org

Guidance on Wearing Face Coverings (PDF)
Directriz para el uso de cubrebocas (PDF)
ECHD Frequently Asked Questions FAQ (PDF)
ECHD Preguntas Frecuentes FAQ (PDF)

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Elkhart County Health Department
Guidance on Wearing Face Coverings

The outbreak of a new coronavirus continues to cause the disease called COVID-19. Elkhart County is experiencing record numbers of confirmed positive cases of COVID-19. There remains no vaccine to protect against COVID-19. In order to protect Elkhart County residents and keep Elkhart County working, the Elkhart County Health Department needs your help to slow the spread of the virus. The most common way the virus spreads is through tiny airborne droplets emitted from an infected person’s mouth or nose as a result of speaking, coughing, or sneezing. These infected airborne droplets are known to be transmitted from individuals that are symptomatic (already experiencing COVID-19 symptoms) or presymptomatic (will soon, but have not yet, experienced COVID-19 symptoms). Although unknown at this time, these infected airborne droplets may also be transmitted from individuals that are asymptomatic (are infected but are unlikely to show any COVID-19 symptoms). With this understanding, the Elkhart County Health Department strongly recommends that every individual living in, working in, or otherwise entering Elkhart County follow this Guidance on Wearing Face Coverings (“Guidance”).

This Guidance is broken into five distinct parts:

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