ELDRED — The Otto-Eldred School board met Tuesday evening in the Otto-Eldred Technology center to discuss and approve several faucets of their reopening plans related to the school day, transportation, programming, and various protocols.
They also had a lengthy discussion which resulted in an approval of a Health and Safety Athletics Plan. All these reopening plans can be found on the districts website for viewing at https://www.ottoeldred.org.
During public comment, former school board member and current head boy’s basketball coach, Stephen Bell, addressed the board. Bell touched on the current recommendations from government entities regarding cancelling sports seasons. “I’m disappointed that decisions are being made out of fear of the virus when there are more fears to be concerned about from kids not participating in extra-curricular activities,” Bell exclaimed. Those concerns that he echoed included mental health, teen suicide, socialization, and healthy bodies. Bell stressed his support the return to play procedures and believes that the course should be evaluated, and changes made based on real time events. All of these points of concerns that Bell brought up were again echoed by superintendent, Matthew Splain during the approval of the return to play protocols later in evening.
During administrative reporting, Elementary and Special Education Principal Lindsay Burns shared re-opening updates specific to the elementary school. Students are going to be able to transition to the school cafeteria for lunch and to a new area (outdoors or indoors) for recess. This provides students with as “normal” as environment as possible.
“We are trying to achieve 6 foot distancing as much as possible, but it won’t be obtained for the entire school day. Mask breaks will be given, and each grade level will have an extra classroom spot to access throughout the day to further distance students,” Burns reported. Furthermore, each grade level classroom will have a consistent para-educator working with them to assist with students leaving the room taking breaks or learning in a different area.
Burn’s special education updates were also highlighted. “Due to school closure, special education staff will be monitoring student progress and will address student needs based on progress toward IEP goals and provide additional services as needed per the COVID compensatory education requirements,” Burns said. Those needs will continue to be discussed through the individual IEP revision processes on a case by case basis.
Director of Curriculum and Instruction Melissa Merry reported that the spring 2019-2020 cohort of students who were not administered the Keystone assessment due to testing cancellation during school closure will be provided the opportunity to participate in the assessment during the winter assessment window. Merry also highlighted the Otto-Eldred Elementary Schoolwide Title 1 plan (which was approved in meeting and will be available on www.oees.org and will also be shared at the Title 1 parent meeting).
High School Principal Kaci Daniels updated the board on a various of concerns and changes. Daniels reviewed the social distancing procedures for the high school which included staggered class dismissals, locker spacing, spaced desking, hallway use and mask break areas. Daniels also discussed the lunchroom changes and procedures which includes an outdoor eating area. Daniels announced she will be releasing a YouTube video in the next few days highlighting procedural and protocol changes that will include direction on mask use, 1-1 computers and borrower responsibility, cafeteria procedures and a school tour for 7th grade students.
Daniels highlighted current athletic changes which included a mandatory hold on all practices until Aug. 21st per the PIAA. Fall coaches and advisors are encouraged to meet with students outdoors for voluntary workouts. At this time only fall sports can participate in open gyms creating sport pods. The administration, coaches, and athletic director are all in support of fall sports plan which includes a very limited opponent schedule (within Potter-McKean-Cameron counties) and following the UPMC guidelines for practice pods.
Splain discussed the current discussions with local municipalities on funding their police force and how it impacts the school district. Splain along with the board are in support of keeping local police force. Splain said he will be meeting with the Otto-Eldred Regional Police Department next week to explore the possibility of expanding their current relationship.
A resignation due to retirement was approved for guidance counselor, Martha Wolf, effective on September 1st of this year. Superintendent Matthew Splain offered this comment on her retirement, “We wish Mrs. Wolf best of luck in her retirement after 27 years at O-E. It was a pleasure working side by side with her for the last 15 years. She was instrumental in helping me get started as an administrator at O-E.”
Other announcements include: A Kindergarten Camp will be held on Aug. 19th and 20th from 9 a.m. to noon. Parents can still call the elementary school to register their children. There are plans in place to host orientation for pre-k and kindergarten with social distance measures. Parent notification went home via mail, anyone with questions can call the elementary school.
The board also approved to keep their meetings at the Otto-Eldred Technology Center located in the elementary school due to the convenience to more easily space out and social distance.
