In Phoenixville Schools Reopening Plan, Virtual Option A Priority

PHOENIXVILLE, PA — Responses gathered from a late June virtual Parent Chat leaned strongly toward returning to school for in-person learning. In Phoenixville Area School District, that expectation ranged by grade level between 77 and 82 percent, of the 1,041 responses that came in. The school district serves 1,873 students.

The June 25 public discussion with PASD Superintendent of Schools Dr. Alan Fegley showed low interest in a fully online option, but a published summary of the chats states that it remains a priority for the school district to offer a “fully virtual option for K-12.”

Safety is listed as PASD's top priority, and also noted is the importance of “providing options for working parents.”

PASD completed its required safety plan draft on June 22 and is currently hosting the series of online meetings to hear from parents and community members on a range of issues related to reopening schools for fall 2020, after schools closed in response to the declared coronavirus pandemic.

The district’s website says a final reopening plan is scheduled for approval by the Phoenixville Area School Board later in July or in August.

The safety plan follows guidance from the CDC and the Chester County Health Department. The plan for social distancing requires 3-6 feet of spacing for indoor areas, with required limitations on movement inside the school, as well as hygiene practices reinforced by signage.

All students would wear masks when traveling from one area of the school to another, and secondary students would be encouraged to wear masks in their classrooms. All school employees would self-monitor their health and visitors to the buildings will be very limited, according to the Parent Chat report.

The district report explains 3-foot social distancing between student seats in some classrooms would be needed to allow for students to be in a classrooms every day. To implement 6-foot social distancing, students would need to attend school on a proposed A/B schedule, meaning not all students would be in school every day.

Another survey was sent out the week of July 6 and the next Parent Chat is scheduled for July 16 at 7 p.m. Those who wish to join the chat can register here. Parent Chats with the superintendent are also scheduled for 7 p.m. on Aug. 6 and Aug. 20.

The district’s published summary of its Parent Chats, to date, says parents will be asked about their fall instructional preference in mid-July. The district also assured parents that whatever venue is used for instruction, whether in-person, online, or some combination of the two, curriculum will continue to be consistent with state standards.

The district report said PASD and Phoenixville Area Community Foundation have worked together during the coronavirus pandemic to continue the district’s food and literacy programs, and to meet technology needs. More than $80,000 has been donated for these needs during the pandemic. The district’s chat summary page contains information on the food program donation and distribution sites.