Central Bucks To Eliminate Virtual Option For Secondary Students

DOYLESTOWN, PA — Administrators at Central Bucks School District are finalizing their plans for a full five-day return to in-person instruction for the 2021-2022 school year, Acting Superintendent Abram Lucabaugh said.

On Monday, the district launched a Back to School section of its website, where families can monitor planning and progress as administrators prepare for the fall.

Plans thus far are to have students attend school in person, five days per week, with the school day returning to regular arrival and dismissal times and all teachers providing in-person instruction.

Central Bucks will not require proof of a COVID-19 vaccine of students or employees; however, the American Rescue Plan Act requires school districts that receive funding under the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund to develop and make public a health and safety plan.

The school board plans to vote on its health and safety plan by July 31. A draft of the plan is available here.

Due to the availability of a COVID-19 vaccine for anyone 12 years of age or older, there will be no online option for secondary students (grades 7-12).

The district is seeking parents' input regarding an online option for K-6 students via an online survey. The district will determine the feasibility of an online-only option at the elementary level if at least 22 students indicate interest in an online learning academy at a particular level, Lucabaugh said.

In the event the district moves forward with an elementary online academy, it will function as a separate elementary school, as follows:

• The CB Online Academy will operate from 8:50 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.
• Elementary parents who choose this option must commit to the online-only program until the end of the second trimester, March 10, 2022. If a student decides to return to in-person instruction after March 10, 2022, every attempt will be made to place the student in their home school.
• Students will be taught by Central Bucks teachers utilizing Central Bucks curriculum.
• Teachers may not necessarily be from a student’s current elementary school.
• Classes will be formed by grade level and will include students from across all Central Bucks School District elementary schools.
• If your child requires special education instruction (not gifted instruction) outside of a general education classroom environment, these services will only be offered in person

This survey will be open until 10 p.m. on Wednesday, June 30.

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