Greater Latrobe proposes return to classrooms in green or yellow pandemic phases

Greater Latrobe School District reaffirmed its preference for returning to in-person instruction for all students and clarified mask-wearing requirements in an updated plan for reopening its schools this fall.

The school board approved the plan Tuesday. It will be submitted to state officials and posted on the district’s website.

Under the revised plan, the district proposes to have students in grades K-12 attend classes five days a week, whether Westmoreland County remains in the state’s green phase of reopening from covid-19 pandemic restrictions or returns to the yellow phase.

A hybrid model combining online and in-person instruction is possible “if dictated by severe local circumstances,” according to the plan.

One such circumstance might be an increase in any covid-19 cases at district schools.

In the hybrid model, half of the students would report to classrooms on Mondays and Tuesdays while the other half would learn online at home. Students would switch learning environments on Thursdays and Fridays. All students would receive online instruction on Wednesdays.

Superintendent Georgia Teppert stressed that “these plans are fluid,” depending on potential changes in pandemic guidance from state, federal and global health officials as well as a panel of local medical experts.

According to a recent survey of district families, Teppert said, “The vast majority of individuals support and want their students going back to bricks-and-mortar.”

She said that sentiment is shared by the local medical panel, which includes six physicians and Dr. Michael Zorch, the school board president and a retired emergency room physician.

“A lot of the medical experts’ children go to our schools,” Teppert noted. “They’re testing daily, they see this and they felt safe” with students returning to classrooms.

Teppert said district administrators feel they can modify instructional settings, using large group areas, to maintain the social distancing recommended for controlling spread of the coronavirus.

At the recently constructed Latrobe Elementary, “we can have extended learning spaces out into the hallways,” she said. “We can use the cafeterias and libraries at our elementaries.”

For the school reopening plan to work, students must conform to social distancing practices.

Under the revised plan, students will be required to wear masks on buses, in hallways and in gatherings where they can’t remain 6 feet apart. They can remove masks to eat and drink and when outdoors with social distancing.

Elementary students also may remove their masks once seated in classrooms, where they will remain for lunch. They will be required to wear masks if working closely in groups with other pupils, Teppert said.

Secondary students will have to wear face coverings except during “mask-free intervals,” including “when students are working independently, in large group areas and able to social distance 6 feet from others,” Teppert said.

“In the future, face coverings may be allowed to be removed for secondary students after the district can be reassured that students, while in the classroom, can maintain social distancing,” she added.

Masks also will be required for faculty and staff who are unable to maintain a 6-foot distance from others.

Teppert noted that parents who aren’t comfortable with in-person classes can enroll their children in the district’s online instruction. Parents are to return electronic forms by Aug. 3 indicating which option they prefer. The district also wants to know which parents are able to transport their children to school.

“I value every parent’s opinion,” she said. “They have the right to choose.”

Assistant Superintendent Mike Porembka said 207 students have signed up to attend kindergarten in the fall, down from as many as 260 in recent years.

“I do believe we have a few dozen kids who are not coming to kindergarten because of the (pandemic) circumstances,” he said.

Responding to a question from elementary parent Alicia McGrain of Unity, Teppert said the district wants to be informed of extended travel plans for students and staff.

“We are requesting any student who is choosing to go on vacation, that the parent contacts the building principal of that student,” Teppert said. “A determination will be made on a case-by-case basis pertaining to the need to quarantine.”