Otto-Eldred School District has a plan for fall that includes social distancing measures and minimizing student movement during the school day when possible. O-E’s first day of school is set for Wednesday, Aug. 26.
“Our board approved a reopening plan in June. The intent of that plan was to get students and staff in the building for summer school,” said Otto-Eldred School District Superintendent Matthew D. Splain. “We expected changes to be made at our August meeting in preparation of bringing all students back. I am pretty confident that all districts are struggling with a specific plan right now.”
The realities of having students return to school require various considerations to be weighed and addressed, all before the school buildings open their doors.
“Whether it be figuring out how to ensure our students get the minimum instruction hours/days or understanding what the mask mandate really means for school, this summer has been a constant cycle of planning and redesigning,” Splain said. “We are currently surveying households to find out who has a medical or health need and will require instruction in an alternative setting. Also, our survey will help develop transportation runs for only those that need it. The responses will help determine the online or hybrid solution we implement for students.”
According to the district’s Phased School Reopening Health and Safety Plan, “classrooms will be organized to minimize/eliminate student face-to-face proximity of less than 6 feet to the maximum extent feasible.” The plan explains that classroom stations will be set up for use by two students maximum, and work stations will be spread out as much as possible while maintaining safety as a priority.
Elementary age students will be kept in the same groups in self-contained classrooms,with teachers transitioning between rooms whenever possible.
Meanwhile, high school students will utilize a block schedule, with students only transitioning between four classes and lunch/activity per day. Transitions will use a staggered schedule in the hallways and stairs will be one-way.
Classroom groups will eat together utilizing cafeteria/classroom/outdoor spaces. Cafeteria use will be decreased so that students are not facing each other while eating. Plexiglas dividers would be used as appropriate. Other communal spaces will be used as needed to further distance students. Additional tables will be purchased for the cafeterias as needed.
The plan notes that custodians are assigned specific building areas to clean during their daily shift, with every area scheduled for daily cleaning and high-touch areas set for cleaning on multiple occasions throughout the day. This includes the interior of vans and busses used to transport district students. Water fountains will be converted to refillable water stations.
When feasible, ventilation will be increased in classroom areas and communal spaces (gym, cafeteria, etc.) through fresh air ventilation (windows) and open doors.
The above plan is set with the understanding that the state of Pennsylvania will be a green status in August and will not be experiencing a resurgence of COVID-19. In the event the state status returns to yellow, the plan will be altered accordingly.
“Our focus in yellow will be to keep the younger students in school every day or as much as possible. Older students are more independent and could handle more responsibility in a hybrid model,” Splain said. “We would definitely bring in all students to school on a rotating schedule, with the focus on keeping younger students in the building everyday.”
In the event of a restriction on capacity, the online education platform will come into play. Splain explained that prospect is a difficult one to navigate.
“Providing an adequate option online is no simple task. That fact is easily seen just by looking at performance data for the cyber charters that have been in operation for years,” Splain noted. “Not all students will thrive in a cyber setting. We are faced with the task of providing multiple options, accessible by all students so that every student can succeed.”
As a result and in reflection of the feelings of parents and staff in the Otto-Eldred School District, the hope and focus remains on students returning for in-person instruction.
“I believe the best start for our students is to be in school on the first day. I understand the challenges many students and families face regarding medical and health concerns. Those concerns are real and require alternate options,” Splain said. “Most of the feedback received from parents is pushing us to bring back our students at full capacity. Most of our planning is in that direction. I have heard the same sentiment from staff members as well. While perspectives on masks and distancing vary, I think most understand that we will need to take appropriate measures to ensure we open and stay open safely for students and staff.”
Stress from the ongoing concerns about coronavirus and the related plans and issues that may crop up in the fall are overshadowing the summer for teachers and administrators, Splain says.
“The level of planning and coordination has taken its toll on district staff across our region and state. Our typical summer planning and summer tasks are still taking place, along with the added layer of planning to re-open safely. Add in the confusing messaging we get regarding safety mandates or recommendations, you have many at their wits end,” he explained. “We are trying to carefully spend funding for situations and needs we can only anticipate. We are taken in different directions with recommendations, orders, guidance and law, seemingly every week. Every step forward is followed by two steps backwards.
“We are all putting forth this effort to do what is best for kids, even if we have to plan day by day or moment by moment. We keep going, knowing our direction may have to change at a moment’s notice. We know our students and families need schools to open.”
