Lower Merion Schools Could Have Staggered Student Days In Fall

LOWER MERION TOWNSHIP, PA — As schools work to figure out how student will learn in the fall, the Lower Merion School District has offered up a tentative plan for student learning while keeping them safe.

According to Superintendent Robert Copeland, he and members of the Reopening Task Force met with school staff members, Parent/Guardian Focus Group and the Academic Council, which includes all district principals, cabinet members and department directors/supervisors.

The group met to discuss plans to combine in-person and remote learning when school resumes int the fall.

Ultimately, it was recommended to have half of the district's students attending in-person classes on Mondays and Tuesdays and the other half of students attending in-person classes on Thursdays and Fridays.

Copeland said Wednesdays would be saved for remote learning while crews deep clean schools.

This plan has not been finalized, according to Copeland.

Additionally, the district is looking at when the 2020-2021 school year will start. As of now, the first day of school is planned for Sept. 8.

"While we may offer early start opportunities for our youngest learners (K-1) and those students transitioning to new schools (Grades 6 and 9), it is unlikely our entire District will begin early," Copeland said. "We have important Professional Development on Equity and Anti-Racism planned for our staff, which we do not want them to miss."

Anyone with questions about the district's reopening can email 2020ReopeningComments@lmsd.org

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