Penn-Trafford board to vote June 29 on reopening plans

The Penn-Trafford School Board is expected to vote June 29 on a health and safety plan to reopen its schools in August as a result of a survey that found an overwhelming percentage of parents want to fully send their children back to school, the district said.

The 7 p.m. school board meeting will be via Zoom. Residents who want to participate need to access the school district website to register.

Penn-Trafford previously planned to open the school year on Aug. 27, but that date could change depending on the school board decision. Plans may be altered as new information becomes available to decrease the risk of exposing students and staff to coronavirus. The district created a pandemic team and an athletic task force to review recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the state Department of Health and the state athletic association.

There will be the option of distance learning for students whose parents wish to keep their child at home for health or safety reasons, the district said. Students will be able to follow their normal class schedule in a remote format. Parents also have the option to enroll their child in remote learning platforms, such as the district’s online eAcademy program, an outside cyber school program or home school.

The survey also asked parents whether they favored a “blended reopening” that would include in-person and remote learning, by alternating classroom instruction by days or weeks, or fully remote learning.

Penn-Trafford intends to send another survey to families before the board meeting to gather parent input as the plan is being developed, the district said.