Riverview students to start 1st 9 weeks of new school year online
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Riverview School District students will spend their first nine weeks of the new school year learning online.
It’s part of the reopening plan school board members unanimously approved Monday night.
Incoming Superintendent Neil English said the administration has heard from parents, staff and Allegheny County health officials the past two weeks about what they feel is best when it comes to schooling during the covid-10 pandemic.
Administrators took all of that feedback into account when recommending online learning be the start of the 2020-21 school year.
“We learned that testing is currently insufficient in the county, and results do not typically come back for a week,” English wrote in a letter posted on the district’s website. “Many students may not exhibit symptoms in that week, which will result in a massive contamination of a ‘pod’ of students and staff.”
The district has about 1,000 students in three schools, a junior/senior high school and Tenth Street Elementary in Oakmont and Verner Elementary in Verona. The first day of school is set for Wednesday, Aug. 27.
English also wrote about logistical concerns of having teachers simultaneously instruct students in class, students at home and require them to record segments of lessons for students that need to access the material at a later time.
“We have come to the conclusion that the current situation is not ideal,” English wrote. “The logistics have become a tipping point in our planning efforts. Although teachers have been amenable to this, when we layer on the health-related realities discussed, the system begins to crumble under the weight of the logistics.”
Board President Lisa Ashbaugh said the district has been very thorough in developing its reopening plans, and praised the staff for their response when schools were shut down statewide in mid-March due to the pandemic.
“These are very tough times that require difficult decisions, and the board takes seriously the importance of keeping our students and staff safe while also providing the best education we can during an unprecedented pandemic of this nature,” Ashbaugh said. “After reviewing the data and speaking with countless parents, staff members and health professionals from around the county, we realized this was the right move in order to ensure the safety and well being of everyone.
“We were one of the very few districts that did not miss a single day of school during the initial building closure back in March. Our tremendous staff and our dedicated students have already proven they can continue to learn and grow through our virtual program, so we have faith in them and the comprehensive plan that the administration is working on and revising daily.”
The district is in the process of acquiring devices for students to assist in online learning. It is unclear if Chromebooks or laptops would be available. Officials from multiple districts have said they are having a tough time getting devices because everyone is scrambling to purchase them.
School Director Maureen McClure, a professor at the University of Pittsburgh, also understands these are tough times for families and educators.
She said having students in the classroom with their peers would be good for socialization and education, but there is a risk of asymptomatic students or staff spreading the virus.
“I am a person who wants kids’ safety first,” McClure said. “I am not pleased. I am not excited about this. I think basically you have two terrible choices. This is an extraordinary time, and all the choices aren’t good. … This virus is being unfair to everybody. People have to understand how difficult it is for everyone on all sides.”
School board Vice President Jeanine Hurt-Robinson declined to comment on the reopening plan Tuesday. She deferred further questions and comments to Ashbaugh and the superintendent.
Riverview hosted a virtual town hall meeting July 21 to present its proposed reopening plans.
The plans included a prohibition on school visitors and field trips, a staggered transportation schedule based on grade levels so buses aren’t filled to more than 20% of capacity and signage in all buildings promoting proper hygiene and social distancing.
Students would wear masks on buses and when moving around in schools. They would not need to wear them in class or when eating. Parents are asked to check their children’s temperature and watch for any symptoms of sickness.
Those conditions are expected to be in place should students be allowed back to school buildings.
More information about the district’s phased school reopening health and safety plan is available at rsd.k12.pa.us.