Penn-Trafford School District announces school reopening plan

Penn-Trafford School District plans to reopen for all students when the school year begins, though distance learning will still be available for those who wish to stay home.

The school board this week approved their reopening plan, though district leaders said they will remain flexible as the coronavirus pandemic continues.

“This plan is certainly fluid, and it’s subject to change,” said Assistant Superintendent Scott Inglese.

Officials surveyed 1,626 district families and found that more than 88% of them supported sending their kids back to school in August under the proposed plan.

“There was an overwhelming response from the parents in support of the plan, we had great input from them,” said Superintendent Matthew Harris.

While some Pennsylvania districts are considering a hybrid reopening approach, with students splitting their time between classroom and home learning, Penn-Trafford officials decided to prioritize in-person instruction for as many students as possible.

The plan calls for widespread cleaning and sanitizing of facilities and equipment. Masks will be required on the bus and in the halls, but optional in classrooms.

Students and staff will be asked to wash or sanitize their hands whenever they enter a classroom.

Social distancing will be enforced whenever possible, though there are many situations in which it can’t be done, Inglese said.

“We can’t bring every single child back into the building and maintain six feet social distancing, it’s just not possible,” he said.

School-wide assemblies and gatherings will be postponed until further notice. Athletic events and extracurricular activities will be limited to 250 people.

In the cafeteria, staff will serve food directly to students, rather than the usual buffet-style service.

The district plans to educate staff, students and parents about how to spot coronavirus symptoms and prevent the spread of the virus.

“We need to do a lot of training,” Inglese said. We need to educate not only our staff, but also our parents and students about proper hygiene.”

Though most district families plan to send their children back to school in the fall, Inglese said the district will offer a parallel online curriculum for those who choose to learn from home.