Norwin OKs hybrid reopening, delays start to Aug. 31

Norwin students will start the school year Aug. 31 by returning to their classrooms two days a week and then three days at home receiving remote instruction.

School officials say the plan is flexible to accommodate full-time, in-school learning or total online, depending on changes in the coronavirus pandemic.

The Norwin School Board on Thursday approved the plan that gives the district administrators flexibility in implementing three options for educating its 5,300 students: all in-class instruction, the hybrid plan that will be in place when classes resume, and remote learning if Westmoreland County returns to the restrictive red phase of covid-19 shutdowns. Students also have the option, if they want to remain tied to Norwin, of attending its online academy.

Superintendent Jeff Taylor emphasized to board members, students and parents listening to the virtual meeting that the district could move to full classroom instruction, depending upon a matrix that has yet to be finalized. That will be based, in part, on the number of covid-19 cases in Westmoreland County. Taylor presented the plan to the school board members earlier this week for their review.

“It is a fluid document. It is going to change,” Taylor said.

For now, students whose last name begins with the letters A to L will attend their school building Mondays and Tuesdays, followed by three days of remote learning. Students whose last name begins with the letters M to Z will be in the classroom Thursdays and Fridays. All students will get remote learning Wednesdays, which gives the district the opportunity to sanitize the buildings.

When questioned by Director Tony Corsa on what Norwin would do if there is an outbreak in a school building, Taylor said it depends upon whether it is one case or several, students or staff. A covid-19 outbreak could result in the school building being closed for one day or for the full 14-day quarantine, Taylor said.

“We can weather this storm,” Taylor said.

Students attending school will be required to wear masks and staff will have to wear masks or face shields, said Heather Newell, Sheridan Terrance Elementary School principal. Classrooms will have hand sanitizer, but the district will not take the students’ temperatures. The district will rely on the families to “self-screen” their children, Newell said.

The reopening plan the administration presented pushes back the opening day from Aug. 19 to Aug. 31, which will give teachers the opportunity get more training in online learning techniques. The governor’s unexpected shutdown of all schools in the state in mid-March left the district scrambling to institute remote learning with little time to go online and no effective guidelines from the state Department of Education, Taylor said.

For families concerned for the safety of their children during the covid-19 crisis, Taylor promoted the Norwin Online Academy, saying students can use school facilities and participate in school activities. Students also can attend the online academy, then return to the school if they want. By choosing one of the public cyber charter schools, the district pays for the student’s tuition to that school, which cost the district $1.2 million in the last school year.

Director Don Rhodes said he believes the district should require students and parents to “sign off that they are willing to comply with whatever is required or there will be consequences.” Rhodes did not suggest what those consequences might entail.

For working parents of young children, who would need day care for those days when their students are at home, Taylor said the district is working with day care providers to see if arrangements can be coordinated with those facilities.

Norwin will soon ask families to choose the option they want for their children.