Rally Planned On Reopening Pennsbury Schools

FALLSINGTON, PA — People opposed to a Pennsbury School Distric plan that would delay in-person schooling in January are planning a rally to voice their opinions.

The rally is planned for 6 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 17, at Pennsbury High School East, in Fairless Hills. A post promoting the rally, which was shared in online community groups Thursday and Friday, calls it "a peaceful protest for parents and Pennsbury students of all ages in support of in-person learning in 2020."

The posts urge rally attendees to wear masks and maintain social distancing due to the coronavirus outbreak — which is the reason school officials are looking to delay in-person learning.

Pennsbury's school board is expected to vote Aug. 20 on the new plan, which would delay in-person school through at least Jan. 29. Last week, the board had approved a plan that would have brought most students back to school as early as October.

The 2020-21 school year in Pennsbury begins Sept. 8.

On Pennsbury area Facebook groups, response to the planned rally were mixed. Some supported the effort.

"Parents must not allow these school boards to keep schools closed," one group member wrote. "Twenty-two other countries have opened. If the teachers refuse to attend, replace them!"

Others disagreed.

"Has the group decided on the number of students and educators they are willing to let die before a shut down?" one group member wrote. "1, 3, 5, 10 or more? It's an important decision that will have to be made at some point if we reopen."