Phoenixville Students To Begin Move To Classrooms, Most Sports

PHOENIXVILLE, PA — Phoenixville School District students will begin phasing into classroom instruction next week, while a selected list of sports will resume competition.

But football competition was sidelined until the next board meeting Oct. 19, when a proposal will be entertained that could allow football competition, but require football players who are competing to remain in virtual learning.

Phoenixville Area School District Board of Directors voted 6-3 Tuesday night in a workshop session meeting to begin a phased reopening of in-person instruction for students on Oct. 19. Board members Christopher Caltagirone, Michelle Schamis, and Board President Blake Emmanuel voted against beginning the phased re-opening plan that administration had recommended.

In a separate vote, the board also approved the immediate return to high school fall athletic competition for the following sports: Girls Field Hockey, Boys and Girls Soccer, Boys and Girls Cross Country, Girls Tennis (Doubles), Girls Volleyball, and Cheerleading. That 6-3 vote included dissenting votes from Emmanuel, Caltagirone, and board member David Goldberg.

The board's motion excluded competition for football, based on higher health risks associated with it in guidance given to schools.

Goldberg made a motion to begin football competition immediately, after the vote to start other sports and exclude football. But, that motion was voted down, 6-3 also, with Goldberg, Board Vice President Jeeseley Soto and board member Dr. Ayisha Serini voting in favor of football competition.

However, school administration said Tuesday, "Based upon the proposal that football players remain virtual for academic instruction during the football season, a majority of the board is directing administration to allow football competitions to occur."

The board will formally vote on this motion in the full meeting of the board Oct. 19 at 7 p.m., the school district said Tuesday.

"As a board, we realize this situation continues to be very challenging for our students, families, teachers, and staff," said Emmanuel.

"We take our responsibilities very seriously, and none of these decisions are made lightly. We will continue to work with the Administration to make these coming transitions as smooth as possible for all involved."

Parents had previously selected one of two options for instructional delivery for their families. The could continue in an all-virtual learning platform or attend in-person with a hybrid model.
Selected grades are scheduled to return to in-person instruction on the following schedule:

• Oct. 19 — Kindergarten
• Oct. 26 — Grades 2, 6, and 9
• Nov. 5 — Grades 3, 4, 7, and 12
• Nov.9 — Grades 1, 5, 8, 10, and 11

The Reopening Information section on the PASD website offers additional information on the plans for continued instruction for the 2020-21 school year, and links for helpful contacts.