Shaler Area School District opts to delay start of school, begin with remote learning

Shaler Area students will start the school year late and when they do, it will be with a 100% virtual learning plan.

The school board on Aug. 6 delayed the start of the 2020-21 school year to Sept. 8 and also approved a remote learning model for all students for the first four weeks.

The district’s back-to-school health and safety plan requires at-home learning through Oct. 9.

“We all desire to be back in our school buildings and have a sense of normalcy,” Superintendent Sean Aiken said.

But, administrators felt this is the best decision for the well-being of the 4,200 students and 500 staff members in the district, he said.

The district originally was expected to begin school on Aug. 26 and end on June 4.

A series of Town Hall meetings will be hosted Monday that aim to answer questions about the remote return-to-school plan. They begin at 10 a.m. for families with primary school children (kindergarten through third-grade).

For families with elementary school children, grades 4-6, the session will begin at noon; middle school families can tune in at 2 p.m.; and high school families at 4 p.m.

Instructions on how to link to the Zoom meeting are available on the district website.

Meetings will also be available on the district’s YouTube channel.

Bethany Baker, district communications specialist, said the board plans to approve the revised school calendar during its Aug. 19 meeting. As proposed, the last day of school will be June 11, Baker said.

Aiken thanked families for their patience and support while administrators navigate the covid-19 guidelines.

Delaying the start of the school year will provide staff with more time for professional development to focus on the virtual and hybrid learning models, technology distribution and training for students.

Earlier this summer, the district said it was considering three learning models. They included in-person, hybrid and remote learning.