In-Class Reopening Not Certain In Phoenixville: Superintendent

PHOENIXVILLE, PA — Phoenixville school district's superintendent today gently told parents that in-school classes are not a certainty for fall. Dr. Alan Fegley's July 16 video release detailed the PASD Virtual Academy. It reassured parents that they could change their minds no matter what schooling options they'd taken.

The video ended with Fegley putting his mask back on.

"What I can tell you," said Fegley, "as long as we're allowed to be open in school, we will make it work." He listed safeguards the district had been working on, including improved ventilation and daily sanitation.

"But please know, we will also have other options available to you, because it is not clear that we will be able to open in-building," Fegley said.

Fegley said the school district is working closely with the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the Chester County's Health Department "in designing how our brick and mortar program will look." But, he turned to an emphasis on the virtual academy.

The PASD Virtual Academy is a full online learning platform that will include live classrooms, where students and teachers will interact, and where discussions are possible. Fegley emphasized that this environments provides students "a sense of belonging," and facilitates the transition between online classes and in-school. "They have been assigned a teacher, they'll come back to their teacher that they have been watching online for the last week, or few months," he said.

Fegley also offered assurance that the new virtual platform was not the same program used last spring when schools closed and "we were in crisis mode." He emphasized parents will be able to change their child's instruction choice as situations change.

The superintendent reiterated his district's 2019-20 school year theme, "Together we can. Together we will. Together we are Phoenixville." He called the words prophetic, in light of the coronavirus school closings and other events last spring. Fegley said the coming year is not going to look the same as years past, adding, "It will take some adjustments from all of us."

The superintendent said the only certainty is that plans will change as districts are given new direction. The school district's reopening plan is posted on the PASD website. Fegley's July 16 video statement can be viewed here.