Re-opening of WCASD Schools Agenda July 1 2020 A. Rules for Engagement B. Goal of the Task Force C. Overview of Problem D. Requirements of the PA Department of Education E. Key research reports on opening of schools F. Partial survey data from parents, staff and students G. Essential Questions for task force members H. Break out sessions
Incredible Decisions in a Very Tight Timeline • Data has emerged very late: Department of Education just released updated guidance June 19; Chester County Department of Health the following week • Every school district is in the same situation; We are working quickly to try to collaborate, but each district is unique in space, size, etc. • There are so many variables and unknowns; We wanted to wait to put our groups together until we had a general sense of whether we could bring all students back to school each day. • Talking through details of split schedules wouldn’t be helpful if that’s not the direction in which we’re heading.
Overarching Goal of our Task Force To help with the implementation of our proposed plan “Find the potholes” Parents Staff Feedback Open Schools Safely for Students
Overview of Problem 1. Department of Education requires each school board to approve a health/safety plan – all guidance has been “considerations,” and uses terms like “when feasible” 2. Very little direct guidance from State Department of Education or Department of Health 3. Recommended that each district work with local department of health to develop plan – Only 6 counties have health departments – all with different interpretations of state guidelines 4. 6 feet of social distancing – not all students would fit in the schools at the same time; would require some for of a split schedule that could be extremely problematic for parents and staff who have young children. 5. Ultimate task – Our plan is to open for all students with plans to mitigate the spread of the virus.
PA Department of Education Guidance Red Phase – all schools are closed – mandatory remote learning takes place. We have been and will continue to work with staff to make improvements to this model. Yellow Phase – schools can open with social distancing and other safety measures (when feasible) – maximum large groups @ 25 people. (Means class sizes must be 24 or fewer with one teacher.) Green Phase - schools can open with social distancing and other safety measures (when feasible) – maximum large groups @ 250 people. (We will build green phase plans with anticipation we’ll move to yellow.)
Guidance for Schools – Research Reports • CDC Guidelines – released May 20, 2020 • Bucks County Department of Health Guidelines – released on June 15, 2020 • Comparison of PDE guidance to Chester County Department of Health. – released June 23, 2020 • Mathematica Report – released by PDE on June 24, 2020 Many others – on our website
Collaboration • We know that many of our parents/staff live in one school district but work in another; Too many different plans will create problems. • Chester County superintendents have been meeting once/twice a week since the shutdown; Much of focus has been on reopening. • Chester County districts are trying to coordinate with similar plans. • Multiple other collaborative groups – schools across counties, states, nation, all examining plans.
Parent Survey 3,554 responses Pandemic Remote Learning March 18 – June 5
OPPORTUNITIES FOR LIVE, REAL-TIME SESSIONS (SYNCHRONOUS INSTRUCTION) WERE SUFFICIENT FOR MY CHILD’S ACADEMIC NEEDS DURING THE PANDEMIC. 9% Strongly Agree (21%) 21% 22% Agree (30%) Neutral (18%) 30% 18% Disagree (22%) Strongly Disagree (9%)
21. I feel that pandemic remote learning was stressful for my child. Strongly Agree (20%) 8% 20% Agree (29%) 24% Neutral (19%) Disagree (24%) 29% 19% Strongly Disagree (8%)
22. I am concerned about my child’s mental health after a period of isolation from friends and school. Strongly Agree (21%) 8% 21% Agree (29%) 24% Neutral (18%) Disagree (24%) 29% 18% Strongly Disagree (8%)
Parent Survey Reopening of School August 31, 2020
25. How would you feel about sending your child back to school this fall if there is still no vaccine or effective covid-19 treatment? 1,400 1199 1,200 Elem 950 1,000 High 774 800 Middle 600 481 Elem 400 230 227 221 200 110 Middle Elem 91 High Middle High 0 I’m not sure yet. I would be willing to send my child I would prefer to keep my child at to school if precautionary home & enroll in the West Chester measures are in place. Cyber Program.
27. I would be comfortable with my child wearing a mask in school. Middle School Student High School Student Elementary School Student Yes (43%) Yes (62%) Yes (68%) 14% 15% 22% No (23%) No (18%) No (35%) 43% 18% 23% 62% 68% Unsure Unsure Unsure 35% (15%) (14%) (22%)
28. If we have to reduce the number of students on a school bus because of social distancing requirements, are you able to provide transportation to get your child to/from school to assist with this requirement? Elementary School Student Middle School Student High School Student 10% Yes (65%) Yes (76%) Yes (70%) 14% 15% 14% No (20%) No (14%) No (16%) 16% 20% 65% 70% Unsure Unsure 76% Unsure (15%) (10%) (14%)
29. Are you willing to have your child wear a mask on a school bus? Elementary School Student Middle School Student High School Student 6% 6% 10% Yes (74%) Yes (84%) Yes (85%) 9% 10% 16% No (16%) No (10%) No (9%) 74% 84% 85% Unsure Unsure Unsure (10%) (6%) (6%)
30. If we are required to take body temperatures as a preventative measure as students enter school, would you be willing to. 2% Sign an agreement to take my child’s temperature each day at home before leaving for school & keep them home if exceeds a normal range. (45%) Permit school staff to take my child’s 45% temperature upon entry to school. (53%) 53% None of the above (2%)
I FEEL SPORTS AND EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES SHOULD BE OFFERED IN SOME IN-PERSON WAY, IF AT ALL POSSIBLE, IN THE FALL. 3% 5% Strongly Agree (46%) 20% Agree (26%) 46% Neutral (20%) 26% Disagree (5%) Strongly Disagree (3%)
IF THE DISTRICT IS FACING ANOTHER STATE-ORDERED CLOSURE, AND HAS TO PROVIDE ONLINE LEARNING DURING THE COMING SCHOOL YEAR FOR ALL STUDENTS BECAUSE OF IT, HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE AMOUNT OF SYNCHRONOUS (LIVE/REAL-TIME) VERSUS ASYNCHRONOUS (RECORDED, FLEXIBLE) LEARNING YOU'D LIKE TO SEE YOUR CHILD RECEIVE? I would like my child to receive more synchronous learning than was given during the spring pandemic closure. (61%) 6% 10% I would like my child to have about the same amount of synchronous and asynchronous learning as was given during the spring closure. (23%) 23% I would like my child to work more independently 61% with mostly asynchronous instruction that can be accessed at flexible times. (10%) I am unsure. (6%)
WCASD Staff Survey 862 Responses Pandemic Remote Learning March 18 – June 5
IT WAS DIFFICULT TO BALANCE WORK COMMITMENTS AND THE REALITY OF A FAMILY QUARANTINE. Strongly Agree (26%) Agree (36%) Neutral (20%) Disagree (14%) Strongly disagree (4%) 4% 14% 26% 20% 36%
I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE LEVEL OF ACADEMIC LEARNING LOSS SOME OF MY STUDENTS EXPERIENCED DURING THE PANDEMIC. Strongly Agree (26%) Agree (47%) Neutral (16%) Disagree (10%) Strongly disagree (1%) 1% 10% 26% 16% 47%
I FOUND PANDEMIC REMOTE LEARNING TO BE VERY STRESSFUL. Strongly Agree (18%) Agree (33%) Neutral (29%) Disagree (17%) Strongly disagree (3%) 3% 18% 17% 33% 29%
Staff Survey Reopening of School August 31, 2020
I AM CONCERNED ABOUT MY ABILITY TO EFFECTIVELY DO MY JOB WHILE PRACTICING SOCIAL DISTANCING AND/OR WEARING A MASK. Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly disagree (42%) (11%) (3%) (32%) (12%) 3% 11% 12% 42% 32%
I AM CONCERNED ABOUT MY PERSONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY AS WE RETURN TO SCHOOL THIS FALL. Strongly Agree (29%) Agree (31%) Neutral (20%) Disagree (14%) Strongly disagree (6%) 6% 14% 29% 20% 31%
AS A PARENT OF A SCHOOL-AGED CHILD, I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE FACT THAT THE WEST CHESTER AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT AND THE DISTRICT WHERE I LIVE MAY HAVE DIFFERENT MODELS FOR OPENING IN THE FALL. Strongly Agree (56%) Agree (26%) Neutral (12%) Disagree (5%) Strongly disagree (1%) 1% 5% 12% 56% 26%
High School Student Survey 1,008 responses Reopening of School August 31, 2020
AT THIS TIME, I WOULD PREFER TO ENROLL IN THE DISTRICT’S CYBER PROGRAM (ONLINE CLASSES) FOR THE 2020-21 SCHOOL YEAR? Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree (6%) (7%) (17%) (21%) (49%) 6% 7% 17% 49% 21%
FOR THE START OF SCHOOL YEAR, STUDENTS AND TEACHERS SHOULD WEAR MASKS AT ALL TIMES WHILE IN SCHOOL. Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree (19%) (19%) (27%) (16%) (19%) 19% 19% 16% 19% 27%
FOR THE START OF THE SCHOOL YEAR, STUDENTS AND TEACHERS SHOULD ONLY WEAR MASKS BETWEEN PERIOD CHANGES AND WHENEVER THEY ARE IN THE HALLWAYS. Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree (14%) (27%) (25%) (17%) (19%) 14% 17% 17% 27% 25%
Middle School Survey Questions 383 responses Reopening of School August 31, 2020
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