Re-opening of WCASD Schools Agenda July 1 2020 A. Rules for - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Re-opening of WCASD Schools Agenda July 1 2020

• A. Rules for Engagement
• B. Goal of the Task Force
• C. Overview of Problem
• D. Requirements of the PA Department of Education
• E. Key research reports on opening of schools
• F. Partial survey data from parents, staff and students
• G. Essential Questions for task force members
• H. Break out sessions

Incredible Decisions in a Very Tight Timeline

• Data has emerged very late:

Department of Education just released updated guidance June 19; Chester County Department of Health the following week

• Every school district is in the same situation; We are working quickly to try

to collaborate, but each district is unique in space, size, etc.

• There are so many variables and unknowns; We wanted to wait to put our

groups together until we had a general sense of whether we could bring all students back to school each day.

• Talking through details of split schedules wouldn’t be helpful if that’s not the

direction in which we’re heading.

Overarching Goal of our Task Force

To help with the implementation of our proposed plan “Find the potholes”

Open Schools Safely for Students

Feedback Staff Parents

Overview of Problem

• 1. Department of Education requires each school board to approve a

health/safety plan – all guidance has been “considerations,” and uses terms like “when feasible”

• 2. Very little direct guidance from State Department of Education or

Department of Health

• 3. Recommended that each district work with local department of health to

develop plan – Only 6 counties have health departments – all with different interpretations of state guidelines

• 4. 6 feet of social distancing – not all students would fit in the schools at the

same time; would require some for of a split schedule that could be extremely problematic for parents and staff who have young children.

• 5. Ultimate task – Our plan is to open for all students with plans to mitigate

the spread of the virus.

PA Department of Education Guidance

Red Phase – all schools are closed – mandatory remote learning takes

• place. We have been and will continue to work with staff to make

improvements to this model. Yellow Phase – schools can open with social distancing and other safety measures (when feasible) – maximum large groups @ 25 people. (Means class sizes must be 24 or fewer with one teacher.) Green Phase - schools can open with social distancing and other safety measures (when feasible) – maximum large groups @ 250 people. (We will build green phase plans with anticipation we’ll move to yellow.)

Guidance for Schools – Research Reports

• CDC Guidelines – released May 20, 2020
• Bucks County Department of Health Guidelines – released on June 15,

2020

• Comparison of PDE guidance to Chester County Department of
• Health. – released June 23, 2020
• Mathematica Report – released by PDE on June 24, 2020

Many others – on our website

Collaboration

• We know that many of our parents/staff live in one school district but

work in another; Too many different plans will create problems.

• Chester County superintendents have been meeting once/twice a

week since the shutdown; Much of focus has been on reopening.

• Chester County districts are trying to coordinate with similar plans.
• Multiple other collaborative groups – schools across counties, states,

nation, all examining plans.

Parent Survey

3,554 responses

Pandemic Remote Learning March 18 – June 5

OPPORTUNITIES FOR LIVE, REAL-TIME SESSIONS (SYNCHRONOUS INSTRUCTION) WERE SUFFICIENT FOR MY CHILD’S ACADEMIC NEEDS DURING THE PANDEMIC.

21% 30% 18% 22% 9%

Strongly Agree (21%) Agree (30%) Neutral (18%) Disagree (22%) Strongly Disagree (9%)

• 21. I feel that pandemic remote learning was stressful for my child.

20% 29% 19% 24% 8%

Strongly Agree (20%) Agree (29%) Neutral (19%) Disagree (24%) Strongly Disagree (8%)

• 22. I am concerned about my child’s mental health after a period of

isolation from friends and school.

21% 29% 18% 24% 8%

Strongly Agree (21%) Agree (29%) Neutral (18%) Disagree (24%) Strongly Disagree (8%)

Parent Survey

Reopening of School August 31, 2020

1199 481 230 774 227 110 950 221 91 200 400 600 800 1,000 1,200 1,400 I would be willing to send my child to school if precautionary measures are in place. I’m not sure yet. I would prefer to keep my child at home & enroll in the West Chester Cyber Program.

• 25. How would you feel about sending your child back to school this fall

if there is still no vaccine or effective covid-19 treatment?

Elem Elem Elem Middle Middle Middle High High High

• 27. I would be comfortable with my child wearing a mask in school.

43% 35% 22%

Elementary School Student

Yes (43%) No (35%) Unsure (22%)

62% 23% 15%

Middle School Student

Yes (62%) No (23%) Unsure (15%)

68% 18% 14%

High School Student

Yes (68%) No (18%) Unsure (14%)

• 28. If we have to reduce the number of students on a school bus

because of social distancing requirements, are you able to provide transportation to get your child to/from school to assist with this requirement?

70% 16% 14%

Elementary School Student

Yes (70%) No (16%) Unsure (14%)

65% 20% 15%

Middle School Student

Yes (65%) No (20%) Unsure (15%)

76% 14% 10%

High School Student

Yes (76%) No (14%) Unsure (10%)

• 29. Are you willing to have your child wear a mask on a school bus?

74% 16% 10%

Elementary School Student

Yes (74%) No (16%) Unsure (10%)

84% 10% 6%

Middle School Student

Yes (84%) No (10%) Unsure (6%)

85% 9% 6%

High School Student

Yes (85%) No (9%) Unsure (6%)

• 30. If we are required to take body temperatures as a preventative

measure as students enter school, would you be willing to.

45% 53% 2%

Sign an agreement to take my child’s temperature each day at home before leaving for school & keep them home if exceeds a normal range. (45%) Permit school staff to take my child’s temperature upon entry to school. (53%) None of the above (2%)

I FEEL SPORTS AND EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES SHOULD BE OFFERED IN SOME IN-PERSON WAY, IF AT ALL POSSIBLE, IN THE FALL.

46% 26% 20% 5% 3%

Strongly Agree (46%) Agree (26%) Neutral (20%) Disagree (5%) Strongly Disagree (3%)

IF THE DISTRICT IS FACING ANOTHER STATE-ORDERED CLOSURE, AND HAS TO PROVIDE ONLINE LEARNING DURING THE COMING SCHOOL YEAR FOR ALL STUDENTS BECAUSE OF IT, HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE AMOUNT OF SYNCHRONOUS (LIVE/REAL-TIME) VERSUS ASYNCHRONOUS (RECORDED, FLEXIBLE) LEARNING YOU'D LIKE TO SEE YOUR CHILD RECEIVE?

61% 23% 10% 6%

I would like my child to receive more synchronous learning than was given during the spring pandemic closure. (61%) I would like my child to have about the same amount of synchronous and asynchronous learning as was given during the spring closure. (23%) I would like my child to work more independently with mostly asynchronous instruction that can be accessed at flexible times. (10%) I am unsure. (6%)

WCASD Staff Survey

862 Responses

Pandemic Remote Learning March 18 – June 5

26% 36% 20% 14% 4%

IT WAS DIFFICULT TO BALANCE WORK COMMITMENTS AND THE REALITY OF A FAMILY QUARANTINE.

Strongly Agree (26%) Agree (36%) Neutral (20%) Disagree (14%) Strongly disagree (4%)

26% 47% 16% 10% 1%

I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE LEVEL OF ACADEMIC LEARNING LOSS SOME OF MY STUDENTS EXPERIENCED DURING THE PANDEMIC.

Strongly Agree (26%) Agree (47%) Neutral (16%) Disagree (10%) Strongly disagree (1%)

18% 33% 29% 17% 3%

I FOUND PANDEMIC REMOTE LEARNING TO BE VERY STRESSFUL.

Strongly Agree (18%) Agree (33%) Neutral (29%) Disagree (17%) Strongly disagree (3%)

Staff Survey

Reopening of School August 31, 2020

42% 32% 12% 11% 3%

I AM CONCERNED ABOUT MY ABILITY TO EFFECTIVELY DO MY JOB WHILE PRACTICING SOCIAL DISTANCING AND/OR WEARING A MASK.

Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly disagree

(42%) (3%) (11%) (12%) (32%)

29% 31% 20% 14% 6%

I AM CONCERNED ABOUT MY PERSONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY AS WE RETURN TO SCHOOL THIS FALL.

Strongly Agree (29%) Agree (31%) Neutral (20%) Disagree (14%) Strongly disagree (6%)

56% 26% 12% 5% 1%

AS A PARENT OF A SCHOOL-AGED CHILD, I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE FACT THAT THE WEST CHESTER AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT AND THE DISTRICT WHERE I LIVE MAY HAVE DIFFERENT MODELS FOR OPENING IN THE FALL.

Strongly Agree (56%) Agree (26%) Neutral (12%) Disagree (5%) Strongly disagree (1%)

High School Student Survey

1,008 responses

Reopening of School August 31, 2020

6% 7% 17% 21% 49%

AT THIS TIME, I WOULD PREFER TO ENROLL IN THE DISTRICT’S CYBER PROGRAM (ONLINE CLASSES) FOR THE 2020-21 SCHOOL YEAR?

Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree

(6%) (49%) (21%) (17%) (7%)

19% 19% 27% 16% 19%

FOR THE START OF SCHOOL YEAR, STUDENTS AND TEACHERS SHOULD WEAR MASKS AT ALL TIMES WHILE IN SCHOOL.

Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree

(19%) (19%) (16%) (27%) (19%)

14% 27% 25% 17% 17%

FOR THE START OF THE SCHOOL YEAR, STUDENTS AND TEACHERS SHOULD ONLY WEAR MASKS BETWEEN PERIOD CHANGES AND WHENEVER THEY ARE IN THE HALLWAYS.

Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree

(14%) (19%) (17%) (25%) (27%)

Middle School Survey Questions

383 responses

Reopening of School August 31, 2020

6% 10% 22% 22% 40%

AT THIS TIME, I WOULD PREFER TO ENROLL IN THE DISTRICT’S CYBER PROGRAM (ONLINE CLASSES) FOR THE 2020-21 SCHOOL YEAR?

Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree

(6%) (40%) (22%) (22%) (10%)

27% 21% 26% 12% 14%

FOR THE START OF SCHOOL YEAR, STUDENTS AND TEACHERS SHOULD WEAR MASKS AT ALL TIMES WHILE IN SCHOOL.

Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree

(27%) (14%) (12%) (26%) (21%)

12% 22% 25% 22% 19%

FOR THE START OF THE SCHOOL YEAR, STUDENTS AND TEACHERS SHOULD ONLY WEAR MASKS BETWEEN PERIOD CHANGES AND WHENEVER THEY ARE IN THE HALLWAYS.

Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree

(12%) (19%) (22%) (25%) (22%)

Essential Overarching Questions for All Task Force Committees

• 1. What is a reasonable or “feasible” expectation for wearing masks?
• 2. What is a reasonable or “feasible” expectation for social distancing?
• 3. What is a reasonable or “feasible” expectation for taking

temperatures?

• 4. How can we best help our students with these changes?

Essential Questions specific to sub-committees

Athletics/After School Activities – Review PIAA Guidelines – What activities can run with social distancing? Transportation – need to address bus drivers responsibilities, masks on school buses. Staff and parent committee – need to address recess, lunches, changing classes, hallways, social/emotional, and others All staff committees – need to address staff safety, wearing of masks, and

• nline remote schedule if we are closed again (what is reasonable?)

Staff Special Area committee – need to address social distancing in art, music, PE, library – What is reasonable? How to disinfect after use?

Break-out sessions

• Parents – 7:30 p.m.
• Elementary
• Middle School
• High School
• Pupil Services
• Transportation
• Staff - 5:30 p.m.
• Elementary School
• Middle School
• High School
• Pupil Services
• Special Area Teachers
• Athletics/ After School Activities

(combined parents and staff)

Essential Topics for Each Meeting

July 1 – Overview of Challenge and Preliminary Plan; Social Distancing

• With a guideline of 3 to 6 feet as a social distancing, look at the start of the day

until the end of the day, where do we see social distancing “potholes?”

• Where are the challenges at each level regarding social distancing?
• What can we do to make it easier for students?

July 7 – Temperature taking and wearing of masks

• What are reasonable guidelines?
• What considerations need to be in place for implementing the guidelines

July 15 – Considerations to Implement the plan

• What information will the staff implementation teams need to know?
• How can we best help students with these changes?

Rules for Engagement Stay on B.A.S.E.

• 1. Be respectful of each other’s comments
• 2. Allow air time for as many people as possible (e.g don’t dominate a group

discussion)

• 3. Stay focused on task for the evening
• 4. Expect non closure - Any questions not addressed, please email the

facilitator - We will provide responses in follow up communication to tsk force members

Next Steps

• 1. Facilitators will provide summary notes of each committee meeting

and they will be posted on our website.

• 2. We will continue to work to refine the overall plan and consider all

feedback from the task force.

• 3. Need to inform parents of plan by August 1 so they can make

decisions.

• 4. Public presentation of preliminary plan July 21 and Board will vote
• n plan June 27 (both can be viewed live via website)

Thank you!

• As educators we really do want to do what’s best for staff and

students, given the parameters and situation.

• We know there are extremely divided opinions about the pandemic

and how it’s been managed.

• We appreciate your support for this school district, as well as your

patience and positivity.