Spring Cove School District Sets Plans for Return in Fall

The Spring Cove School District School Board met in person on July 20, but to stay within the current restrictions put on numbers at gatherings due to COVID-19, staff and visitors had to attend virtually.

The district’s reopening plan for the 2020-21 school year, after being explained by Superintendent Dr. Betsy Baker in detail, was approved unanimously by the board.

There will be a total reopening for all students and staff with option of the Spring Cove School District Cyber School for families which want distance learning. The reopening plan was developed based upon surveys of parents and guardians and staff and resources from agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control, World Health Organization, Pa. Departments of Health and Education and American Academy of Pediatrics.

Using this guidance, the plan was compiled by the COVID-19 Pandemic Planning Team, which was comprised of a group of 30 representatives from “stakeholder” groups including the school board, administration, teachers, support staff, students, parents, medical providers, community members and the district solicitor.

The plan and a letter of explanation was scheduled be sent to all staff and families through the School Messenger System on July 21. The plan will also be posted on the new COVID-19 response web page.

The survey revealed 72.5 percent of families and 71.9 percent of staff favored full in-person learning in the fall. The district will have an “A Group” of students on Monday and Tuesday and use Wednesday as a cleaning and disinfecting day. They then will have a “B Group” move in on Thursday and Friday. Children in the same family will be kept in the same group.

Class size is reduced when possible. Custodial staff will be trained in cleaning procedures. Schools, buses, vans and all surfaces which have been touched will be disinfected. Air circulation will be improved through use of opening windows.

The four main sectors addressed on opening of school were cleaning and ventilation, social distancing and monitoring health. For social distancing, maximum physical distancing will be used for students with staggered rows in seating and everyone facing the same direction. There will be no non-essential volunteers or visitors. Elementary students will no longer change classrooms; rather, teachers will move.

Outside learning areas will be used as much as possible, temperature checks will be done for all visitors entering, and there will be touchless hand sanitizing stations.

At lunches, elementary students will be seated by classroom and secondary students will have to stay in a consistent group. Food will be in prepackaged containers and plasticware will be pre-wrapped. Physical education will be limited to little or no contact sports or games.

Secondary students will carry their own Chromebooks with them all day. Water fountains will be converted into water filling stations.

Those using buses will all have assigned seats and the school is encouraging personal transportation. Activity periods will be limited to groups of 25 or less and fundraisers will be limited.

Face Coverings Required

Dr. Baker emphasized that due to recent requirements of state and federal directives, face coverings must be worn by all students and staff at all times. That includes the trip to school on the bus. Face coverings, according to Baker, may be masks, bandanas, or a face shield. Those who forget to bring one to school will be issued one. Students must be more than six feet apart to remove them. Face-covering breaks will be given throughout the day.

Baker emphasized that the plans for reopening are subject to change. If the rate of coronavirus infections continues to rise, the in school opening may not happen.

A closed-door executive session was held after the board meeting for personnel purposes. The August board meeting is planned to be like the July meeting with the board meeting in person and all staff and visitors attending using Zoom.