Pennsbury Eyeing Quicker Return To School

FALLSINGTON, PA — Students in Pennsbury School District, here current plans are to learn at home through January, may be making a quicker return to class after all.

Pennsbury's school board president said in a letter to parents on Wednesday that the board and administration have started "serious discussions" on plans to start a phased reopening of schools earlier than scheduled.

"After trying the remote model for three weeks, it is apparent while the model is working for many families, it may not be the right option for others," board President T.R. Kannan wrote in the letter. "We recognize that everyone's needs are different and have heard several concerns around social and emotional needs, financial burdens, and educational and developmental setbacks during the opening weeks of our remote learning program."

Pennsbury's school board voted last month for a plan under which students will learn from home through Jan. 29 due to concerns about the coronavirus outbreak.

Kannan said that the board will initially focus on "specialized learning populations" returning to class, followed by students in the earliest grades.

The board's Facilities and Education committees meet this week and the Finance committee meets next week. A final vote on a new plan is expected at the full board's Oct. 15 meeting.

"Of course, health and safety will continue to be a priority and any reopening of schools will be contingent upon meeting specific thresholds," Kannan wrote.

The move comes amid protests from some parents calling for schools to reopen sooner than planned.