Deer Lakes School District released additional details regarding its modified reopening plan, which the school board is expected to vote on next week.

A key modification to the plan applies to the district’s in-person learning option, which was made based on community feedback, district officials said.

Should the district not be able to safely accommodate all the students who sign up for in-person instruction five days a week, it will shift to a hybrid-learning model. The hybrid-learning model would divide students into two groups, and each group would receive in-person instruction twice a week, and online instruction for the remaining three days, officials said.

The school board will vote on the modified plan at a special virtual meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday. A virtual question-and-answer session for district staff will be held at 1 p.m. Monday.

Superintendent Janell Logue-Belden said developing the reopening plan has been “extraordinarily challenging.”

“Please know that as career educators, all of us would prefer to begin school as we have in years past. All of us are tired and frustrated by the coronavirus and how it has impacted nearly every facet of our lives,” Logue-Belden said in a statement. “All of us are trying to make decisions that are in the best interest of our children, staff and community.”

The district used results from community surveys and guidance from state and local officials to decide on potential reopening plans, which differ according to each phase designated for a county by the state. Allegheny County is currently in the green or least restrictive phase.

In addition to in-person learning, Deer Lakes plans to offer fully online classes when students return for the 2020-21 school year on Aug. 26.

District parents were to receive a survey by email on Friday in which they would be asked to indicate which learning option they would like for their children, officials said. Parents will have until midnight Tuesday to fill out and submit that survey.

Students who choose the in-person learning option will be required to wear face coverings at all times while on a bus or in areas where social distancing isn’t possible. The district will provide face shields to all staff and students.

Face coverings may only be removed when students are eating or drinking at least six feet apart, when sitting at desks or assigned work spaces at least six feet apart, or while engaged in any activity at least six feet apart.

District spokesman Jim Cromie said the district is paying for the face shields with money from its general fund. It hopes to recoup the money through grants. He said the district has ordered roughly 2,200 face shields for staff and students.

Highmark and the Pennsylvania School Boards Association also will be providing the district with masks, Cromie said.

“We have money for things, we just have to allocate it. It’s too important not to do it,” Cromie said.

More information on the reopening plan can be found on the district’s website and FAQ page. Questions and concerns can be sent to backtoschool@deerlakes.net.

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