Hempfield releases additional details before next week's vote on reopening plans

Hempfield Area School District officials laid out additional details regarding a proposed reopening plan that will be voted on next week.

During a special meeting Monday, district officials discussed ways to handle positive coronavirus cases that may occur if classes begin through a blended approach starting Aug. 27.

According to Lisa Maloney, supervisor of pupil services, designated areas will be reserved for students and staff who develop covid-19 symptoms while at school. The “sick” areas will be separated from the nurse’s office in case students come to the office needing other medical attention.

Student exhibiting coronavirus symptoms will be sent home.

Parents whose child may have been exposed will be notified once positive test results are received. Presumptive cases, or cases where a person does not yet have test results, will not be announced.

“It’s not that we’re trying to hide something, it would just be that we have to wait for that confirmation,” Maloney said. “Certainly, if there’s danger to students or staff or any other personnel, we would notify them but that’s where it gets a little tricky because of the time lap between the testing.”

She noted the district will be in contact with the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the county Municipal Health Department regarding test results. Through those consultations, officials will determine when contact tracing needs to occur and who needs to be notified of a positive test result.

Those who test positive are required to quarantine for 14 days.

Parents are required to take their children’s temperature before school each day. Anyone with a temperature of 100 degrees or higher must stay home.

Other safety precautions being taken for the coming school year include plexiglass dividers and moving elementary classrooms to gyms and libraries to promote social distancing.

An overarching plan that follows a blended approach between in-person classes and online learning was presented in June. The plans call for a phased reopening that would welcome students back to physical locations with staggered schedules dictated by grade level.

Kindergarten students will attend school on a half-day model. Students in first through fifth grade would be put in smaller classes to promote social distancing. Students in sixth through 12th grades will attend school every other day. On days students are not in school, instruction will be provided virtually.

Board members were originally slated to vote on the plans last month, but the vote was delayed to account for guidance released by the state Department of Education.

Superintendent Tammy Wolicki noted that reopening plans could continue to be revised depending on new guidance.

Plans will be voted on Aug. 10.