As COVID-19 cases continue to decline, Bucks County school districts are slowly but surely inching their way to a full reopening. The school boards of Pennsbury and Council Rock held special action meetings earlier this month to expand in-person learning for students.
In a vote of 6-1, Pennsbury approved a four-day return at the elementary level beginning March 29, and at the secondary level beginning April 12. Students will have the option to attend in-class Monday through Thursday. Friday will remain a remote, synchronous schedule for all students. Those who wish to learn from home five days a week will have that option. The current hybrid model will discontinue.
Many parents were furious that five-day in-person instruction won’t be offered.
“For us, that’s not about cleaning. That truly is about those students who are in the remote setting and feeling part of the remote classroom community,” said Superintendent Dr. William Gretzula. “It would be the opportunity where everybody could come together in that remote Google Meet session.”
Meanwhile, Council Rock approved a five-day start for elementary students beginning April 6, the start of the fourth marking period. Virtual Wednesdays will be eliminated. Though board members Mark Byelich and Michael Thorwart voted “no” because they wanted the date to be sooner, the motion passed.
“I don’t see the need for the delay,” said Byelich.
In order to bring more students back into the buildings, Pennsbury stressed that students will be separated by at least 3 feet when possible, but it won’t always be guaranteed. For the younger students, director of elementary education Michele Spack said snacktime in the classroom will be staggered to allow for maximum distance while eating with masks removed. Lunch will be eaten in either the classroom or cafeteria, depending on cafeteria size. Secondary lunches will be served in various locations with the goal of maintaining 6 feet of distance when possible. All meals are free at this time.
On buses, no more than two riders per seat will be permitted, unless they’re from the same household. Additionally, the district is hiring two aides at each school to assist with lunch, recess and snack times.
Regarding technology, Gretzula said in-person students will likely not use their Chromebooks anymore, especially at the secondary level. Having too many people using the hotspot at once would cause connectivity issues. Lessons would be projected on a screen at the front of the room by the teacher. He added that remote students would be “looking in” on the class via Google Meet.
When making the decision to recommend a four-day option, the administration took into consideration the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which will soon be available to teachers and school staff. Pennsbury is slated to receive over 400 initial doses. Priority will be given to teachers of students with disabilities and English learners; elementary teachers and related support staff; and bus drivers and other support staff who have direct contact with elementary students.
Board member Chip Taylor was the single “no” vote on the expanded reopening. He feared that even if the majority of teachers get vaccinated, they won’t be immune before March 29. The vaccine takes at least two weeks to be effective.
“We’re setting a timeline that does not guarantee that this vaccine takes hold. For that reason, I suggest the board consider making the date malleable so that it is a guaranteed 14 days,” said Taylor. “You’re doing them a disservice by putting a date on it, and then if this vaccine falls through, they’re still going back. We’re putting people at risk.”
Other board members expressed a more positive outlook.
“I just feel a sense of hope that I haven’t felt in 12 months with the vaccine coming,” said Deb Wachspress.
During the Council Rock meeting, the athletics health and safety plan was discussed. Bucks County Department of Health Director Dr. David Damsker recently announced that wearing masks while playing a sport “may create an unsafe condition.” His guidance stated that school athletes shouldn’t have to wear them.
Superintendent Dr. Robert Fraser echoed Damsker’s sentiment, but expressed concern that mask-wearing districts will refuse to play Council Rock if they forgoed face coverings. The board decided to stay open-minded on the subject, and wait to see what other districts do.
Fraser also offered families who are in favor of in-person instruction some hope for the 2021-22 academic year.
“We will end this year with all students grades K-12 in five days a week,” he said. “I see no reason, unless something drastically changes, why that wouldn’t be the case next school year, and for that to be the case through the entirety of next school year.”
Visit pennsburysd.org and crsd.org for updates and more information.
Samantha Bambino can be reached at [email protected]
