At the Orange level, with positivity ranging from 11% to 12%, elementary is once again recommended to operate in person whereas middle and high schools should close.

And in the Red level, extending to positivity rates 13% and higher, no schools should be open for in-person education.

Vavilala said she consulted with Dr. Paul Halverson, professor and dean of IUPUI’s Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health, on her positivity rate recommendations, as well as Marion County Public Health Department Director Virginia Craine, whose own guidance serves a similar population within the state.

Multiple Lake County districts have cited the new guidance in plans or recommendations to open with virtual studies only in the 2020-21 school year.

The School Town of Highland announced Monday it will open online for the first nine weeks of school. School City of Hobart Superintendent Peggy Buffington said Monday she will bring a recommendation to her school board later this week that students participate in e-learning through at least Oct. 9.

The county health officer is also sharing guidance in the event schools do decide to reopen for in-person education.

Among these recommendations, passing periods should be staggered, school meals should be served in classrooms or cohorts, and performing arts practices such as band, orchestra and choir should not begin until community positivity rates have decreased.