T/E School Board Approves New Reopening
Plan - Expanded In-Person
Instruction Tentatively Scheduled
to Start on March 15, 2021
At its meeting on March 1, 2021, the T/E Board of School Directors voted to begin expanded in-person instruction on March 15, 2021, contingent on county transmission levels remaining below the Very High threshold. A virtual instruction option will continue to be available for the remainder of the school year. The expanded in-person instructional model will include 4 days a week of in-person instruction and virtual instruction on Wednesdays. The District is considering potential modifications to school day schedules to accommodate 5 in-person days beginning as soon as the week of April 19, 2021.
Parents were asked to select an instructional model of either full in-person instruction or 100% virtual instruction by midnight on March 3, 2021. Additional logistical details such as classroom setup, bus routes, lunch arrangements and arrival/dismissal procedures will be shared directly with parents by the schools and departments as information becomes available.
The District's goal has been to increase in-person instructional opportunities while following health and safety recommendations and risk mitigation strategies supported by the Chester County Health Department (CCHD) and Pennsylvania Department of Health. The latest CCHD guidance includes physical distancing of 3-6 feet for students and 6 feet for staff, which will be observed to the greatest extent possible. TESD will continue complying with CCHD guidance which includes existing COVID-19 mitigation strategies of face coverings, daily health screening, enhanced cleaning and not allowing visitors in school buildings. The CCHD recently added additional mitigation strategies including enhanced face covering protocols (no gaiters), vaccine advocacy, antigen testing and encouraging families to drive their children to school to reduce the number of children on school buses.
At this time, TESD is planning for 5 days of in-person instruction for the 2021-2022 school year unless there is a sharp decline in pandemic conditions. The District will analyze whether to include a virtual instruction model for the 2021-2022 school year, and in what format, later this spring.
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