School Board Approves Revision to Reopening Education Plan for Secondary; Tables Elementary Decision

 

At the February 15, 2021 School Board meeting, the Board approved a revision to the District’s Reopening Education Plan that includes a 4 day option for Hybrid students, grades 6-12. Any changes to instructional modality would only take place after Allegheny County's transmission rates are in the Moderate or Low Range as defined by the Pennsylvania Department of Education for two consecutive weeks. More information about that plan is available below in a letter Dr. Ron Davis sent to all secondary families.

At the same meeting, the Board tabled a similar resolution pertaining to the elementary schools and agreed to revisit the issue at the March 8, 2021 Discussion Meeting.

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February 16, 2021

Subject: Revision to the Reopening Education Plan

Dear Students and Families,

At the School Board meeting last evening, the Board approved a revision to the District’s Reopening Education Plan that includes a 4 day option for Hybrid students, grades 6-12.  With the approval of this revision, students will have three paths in the secondary program: 1) The 2-1-2 Hybrid option, 2) the 4 day (M, T, R, F) Hybrid option, and 3) the Remote option. 

Additionally, the Board approved the implementation of this revised Reopening Education Plan under the following conditions:

• The Pennsylvania Department of Health announces that Allegheny County’s community transmission rates are in the Moderate or Low Range as defined by the Pennsylvania Department of Education for two consecutive weeks.

• Student desks will be placed to provide at least six feet of separation among students and staff to the maximum extent feasible, but in no event less than three feet, and barriers will be afforded to all students. 

• Students will be spaced at least six feet apart while eating lunch.

• All teacher workstations/teaching spaces will have a distance of at least six feet from any student desk.

• The District will continue to comply with the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s Updated Order Requiring Universal Face Coverings, and the Recommendations for Pre-K-12 Schools Following Identification of a Case(s) of COVID-19.

• The District will continue to comply with all mitigation measures described in the Health and Safety Plan.  

If Allegheny County is in the Moderate or Low range on Friday, February 19th and 26th, the implementation of this 4 day option would commence on Monday, March 1. If not, the implementation of this 4 day option would commence as soon as the County was in the Moderate or Low range for two consecutive weeks. 

Principals will begin preparing rooms for the increased number of students receiving in-person instruction based on the feedback you have provided via the form submission last week.  Should you wish to change your selection, please communicate this to your building principal. 

The secondary leadership team is committed to ensuring that our schools remain a safe place for students, faculty, and staff by diligently enforcing the masking order, physical distancing of at least 6’ at lunch, providing barriers when 6’ of physical distancing can not be maintained in the classrooms, handwashing and respiratory etiquette, immediately responding to a suspected case of COVID-19, and other mitigation strategies outlined in the Health and Safety Plan.  

I want to thank you for your support of the District as we remain focused on Providing the Best Education Possible to Each and Every Student. 

On behalf of the Secondary Leadership Team,

Ronald P. Davis, Ed.D.

Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education