By Zakiyah Gaziuddin, News Editor
Following recommendations from the Chester County Health Department (CCHD) to begin the academic year virtually and reopen schools starting Oct. 9, the Tredyffrin/Easttown School District decided in its Aug. 24 meeting to extend online learning until at least Oct. 12. The document provided by CCHD to help guide public and private schools follows the advice given by Pennsylvania’s Department of Health and Education as well as Governor Tom Wolf’s process of reopening, which involves marking counties as one of three color-coded phases with different guidelines.
A return to schools for in-person learning is dependent on Chester County’s reopening phase, and the ever-changing state of the pandemic calls for adjustments along the way. Guidance provided by CCHD outlines different instructional models based on detailed metrics portraying community transmission of the virus. On Aug. 24, the district set the earliest possible date for in-school instruction to begin on Sept. 21 for students receiving special education services and after Oct. 9 for all other students. The school year will begin with a combination of live and asynchronous instruction with families being given a choice between in-person learning or virtual learning when the school does reopen. Students whose families choose to attend in-person learning will follow a hybrid blend of in-person and remote learning.
The number of students allowed in the building at once and the number of days each student may attend school will also be dependent on the number of families that opt for in-person learning, and future guidance on social distancing and gathering. Additionally, Conestoga will follow block scheduling to reduce transitions between classes and to keep interactions between students and teachers limited. The district will begin the school year as planned, virtually, on Aug. 31.
Zakiyah Gaziuddin can be reached at [email protected]
