Governor Holcomb extends heath emergency executive orders
Gov. Eric Holcomb issued a state public health emergency declaration that supersedes previous ones issued during the coronavirus pandemic. The newest declaration extends through Memorial Day, May 3st. The declaration notes that improvements have happened since the start of the pandemic, but “the spread and consequences of this disease in the Hoosier state remain as demonstrated by a 7-day average positivity rate of 4.5 percent; new confirmed cases daily; continued hospitalizations; and tragically, continued deaths from COVID-19.”
Indiana’s mask mandate will be limited to state government facilities, COVID testing and vaccination sites, and all K-12 schools. Exemptions to the limited mask mandate include children younger than 8 people, with medical conditions that prevent the wearing of a face covering, people at religious services, and other instances outlined in the declaration. Businesses are still required to develop and implement plans to protect employees, customers, clients, and members.
Truck drives into Bloomington building
Sunday afternoon a Uhaul van slammed into a building on South Walnut Street in Bloomington. The business most impacted was a local tattoo and piercing parlor called Evil by the Needle. Extensive damage was done, and according to reports a few people were injured, although none of the injuries are believed to be life-threatening. At this time, there is no further information as to the cause of why the vehicle steered off of the road and straight into the brick structure.
IU School of Ed to announce new Dean in June
Anastasia “Stacy” Morrone, interim dean of the Indiana University School of Education at IU Bloomington, will be appointed dean through June 2023, subject to final approval by the Board of Trustees at its June 2021 meeting. Morrone is the school’s first female dean. Morrone began her interim appointment in July. She is a professor of educational psychology and teaches courses in adolescent development and psychology of teaching. Her current research focuses on technology-rich, active-learning environments that promote student motivation and learning.
Morrone is a thought leader in the field of higher education and information technology who is frequently asked to present her research on active-learning classrooms and the use of e-texts in teaching and learning. She earned her Ph.D. in educational psychology from the University of Texas at Austin and her Bachelor of Science in technical communication from the University of Minnesota.
The School of Education’s online and graduate programs continue to be ranked in the top 25 nationally, and the school’s graduates are regularly named the best teachers in the state for their innovative and creative approaches to educating students.