Allegheny Valley School Board will hold a special meeting Tuesday to discuss the district’s health and safety plan for reopening schools.
The meeting is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. at Acmetonia Elementary School in Harmar. Residents can attend the meeting in person, listen in on their phone or watch online. Details for participating by phone or online will be posted on the school district’s website.
“We’re going to discuss what the administration feels is the acceptable way within the guidelines of the state, federal government and surveys from residents about how to proceed with the school year,” said school board President Larry Pollick.
The board will discuss recommendations from the district’s administration. The public will be able to comment.
The district’s draft re-opening plan offers traditional and virtual education options:
• On site education features traditional classroom but with social distancing and mask requirements. Desks will be distanced apart to the maximum extent possible.
• Online education will include lessons in real time. Student at home can watch the same lesson.
• Parents can decide to enroll their children in Allegheny Valley’s cyber school, Dynamo Virtual Academy, for full-time, online learning.
• Allegheny Valley has developed a gradual phase-in plan for students to return to physical classrooms gradually. Students attend school in person some days while working from home other days.
• Trying to avoid hallways filled with students, teachers will change classrooms instead of students when possible. Class dismissal times throughout the day will be staggered to reduce congestion in hallways.
• The district is installing hand sanitizers in each classroom and elsewhere in school buildings.
• Staff and students will screen themselves before reporting to school.
• Parents and guardians of students should report to the school any possible covid-19 exposure.
• Each building has a designated area for isolation if a student or staff member gets sick.
• Staff or students who are infected with covid-19 must submit negative test results after the appropriate quarantine to return to school.
• Students will eat meals in several locations. District workers will clean between groups using the same space. All prepared cafeteria food will be pre-packaged or covered.
To learn more about the school district’s plans, visit its website.
