North Allegheny outlines 'return-to-school' plan for Sept. 8 start

North Allegheny School District has released details of its return-to-school plan with options for students to attend classes in person, online or both.

“During this unprecedented time of change, we know that the 2020-21 school year will look different,” North Allegheny officials wrote in the return-to-school plan made public on July 22. “We are implementing health and safety measures to protect our students, staff and families.”

District officials said while it has “a comprehensive plan to support the return of all students,” the final decision on how to proceed will be driven by guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the state’s health and education departments and the Allegheny County Health Department.

“The circumstances related to covid-19 evolve rapidly, and we will update our plans frequently based on guidance from local, commonwealth and national guidelines,” district officials said.

Results from a return-to-school survey sent to families resulted in 74% of parents would consider face-to-face instruction for their children with health and safety guidelines in place.

From July 30 to Aug. 5, families will be asked to select an option for their children. If an option is not selected, students will be assigned to in-person instruction.

The in-person option offers students three possible choices. The final selection for how students will attend will be decided by district and state officials.

The three choices being considered are:

• Attend classes in a school building five days a week

• Two days in school and three days of remote instruction

• Five days of remote instruction by classroom teachers

Students also have the option of enrolling in the NA Cyber Academy, which offers full-time online instruction from North Allegheny teachers as an alternative to returning to a school building.

At the end of each quarter, students will have the option of switching back to in-person instruction or signing up to attend the cyber school.

Students who attend in-person classes will be required to follow “enhanced” hygiene protocols that include wearing masks at all times, except when eating or drinking, and practicing social distancing.

Parents or guardians will be responsible for monitoring their children’s health.

If students have a fever of 100 degrees or higher, a cough, shortness of breath or loss of taste or smell, they must stay home.

If a student stays home because they are sick, a school nurse will check their temperature before they can return to class.

Bus routes also will be shortened and consolidated, if possible, to limit the amount of time students spend riding a bus.

Social distancing and masks also are required at bus stops and while riding in vehicles, and vehicles will be loaded from the rear to the front to minimize the number of students passing in the aisles.

Front seats will be reserved for students who cannot wear masks due to a documented medical, mental health condition or disability.

Classrooms will be rearranged so that, if possible, all desks are facing in the same direction. If furniture cannot be moved, students will be spaced “as far apart as possible,” district officials said.

Cafeteria menus will have reduced a-la-cart and individual serving selections, with an emphasis placed on serving “grab and go” style meals. Auditoriums, gymnasiums, multipurpose rooms and possibly classrooms will be used to allow for proper social distancing during meals.

Outdoor recess will be held, but students will not be allowed to share equipment, such as balls.

Masks will not be required while outdoors.

If recess is held indoors because of the weather, students will remain in their classrooms and do no-contact activities.

All district buildings were cleaned during the summer and special equipment that utilizes electrostatic sprayers are being purchased for nightly sanitizing.

The air handling systems in district buildings also have been outfitted to improve air quality, and portable air filtration units will be used in areas that have limited circulation.