Certain grade levels at Plum School District allowed to return to full-time, in-school classes

Plum School District students in select grades were able to return to full-time, in-person instruction the last week of February.

The district operated on a hybrid model for most of the school year due to the covid pandemic.

Students were split into two groups with each one in classrooms two or three days a week and learning online during their off-days.

As part of the district’s plan to reopen more in-person instruction, students in kindergarten and first, second, fifth, seventh, 11th and 12th grades were allowed to come back to school five days a week starting Feb. 22.

The remaining grade levels are expected to be able to come back March 15.

Superintendent Brendan Hyland gave an update on the transition at the Feb. 23 school board meeting.

“We received some good news on Monday that also coincided with our return,” he said. “(Allegheny) County has gone from a substantial level of transmission to a moderate level of transmission. This is excellent progress, however, we will and must continue to monitor data at the county level and within our own schools to determine our next steps.”

Center Elementary had about 70% of its kindergarten students in school in both its morning and afternoon programs, according to Hyland’s report.

Center first- and second-graders came back to 84% and about 81% enrollment, respectively.

About 65% of Holiday Park Elementary fifth-graders were in school Monday and 69% were scheduled to be back by Wednesday.

Pivik Elementary reported 87% in kindergarten, 82% in first grade and 76% in second grade returned, along with 65% of its fifth grade in school Monday with 69% expected Wednesday.

Oblock seventh-graders in school were listed at 74%.

District documents indicate the percentage of high school students who returned to full-time instruction was in the low 30s.

“It was really great to see the students come back to school,” Hyland said. “I want to thank all those teachers and the support staff that are giving their all every day to get these kids back in our schools. I want them to know that we are extremely proud. We know how hard this is, how stressful it is, but I also want them to know that their work is greatly appreciated.”

Senior Lilly Klucinec, the school board student representative, was among those who returned.

She told the board she cried the night before school due to the anticipation and excitement of seeing her peers.

“Even though some of my classes had a decent amount of people in there, I felt safe,” Klucinec said. “It was a safe environment. It was just really nice to see everyone. I’m so thankful for the board and the administration for allowing us to go back. It was just a really great experience. I want to keep going as much as I can as safely as I can.”

Families not comfortable with their students returning to the buildings still have an all-online learning option.

Many parents have been clamoring for a return to full-time education for at least the past few months. Their concerns at public meetings have been documented in school board minutes, which are posted on the district’s website.

Mike Devine, board president and father of three, expressed his joy at the students’ return.

“The students in these grades seemed to be very excited to see classmates they have not been able to see all year outside of a computer screen,” Devine said. “The gradual reintroduction of students to the schools and classrooms has been going very well. The numbers (of covid cases) within our district have remained favorable to allow us to continue to move forward with this plan.”