Pennsbury Eyes Returning Students To Classroom Before 2021

The Pennsbury School District is looking to possibly return at least some students to the classroom for in-person learning before 2021.

The news from the school district came late Wednesday afternoon following pressure from parents at recent school board meetings and a protest outside the administration building last Friday.

The school board voted in August to have only virtual classes through the end of January 2021 due to the pandemic.

School Board President T.R. Kannan wrote that there were “serious discussions” over the past days to about “reconsidering the decision to delay an in-person instructional option until February 2021.”

“Discussions are underway to prepare a plan for a phased reopening of schools earlier than scheduled. Initially, we will focus on specific specialized learning populations across the District, followed by our youngest learners,” he wrote.

Some parents have been frustrated by the lack of a plan for returning to in-person classes, no detailed timeline, and that the district and board were not listening to them.

Bucks County Health Department Director Dr. David Damsker has said he feels schools would be safe to reopen in mitigation measures were taken and case counts did not dramatically rise.

The four Levittown-area school district started the year virtually and Neshaminy plans to resume a hybrid form of in-person classes in early October.

Below is the full letter from Kannan:

Dear Pennsbury Community,

On August 20, 2020, the School Board voted to roll out a fully-remote learning program and delay the inperson opening of school until the end of the 2nd marking period, January 29, 2021, for all students.

This decision was influenced by concerns around health & safety, uncertainty on the direction of future
infection rates, and the District’s ability to mobilize and execute multiple educational models.

A singular focus on the remote learning platform was crucial to ensure a robust educational program that would
be essential in case of emergency shutdown, similar to the one we faced in the spring of 2020. A solid remote
learning model would also ensure the School District’s budget and existing services are not impacted due to
students moving to cyber charter schools.

After trying the remote model for 3 weeks, it is apparent while the model is working for many families, it may
not be the right option for others.

We recognize that everyone’s needs are different and have heard several concerns around social and
emotional needs, financial burdens, and educational & developmental setbacks during the opening weeks of
our remote learning program.

These concerns have prompted the Board and the administration to enter into serious discussions, over the
last several days, about reconsidering the decision to delay an in-person instructional option until February
2021.

Discussions are underway to prepare a plan for a phased reopening of schools earlier than scheduled.
Initially, we will focus on specific specialized learning populations across the District, followed by our
youngest learners.

There are various aspects involved in planning and safely reopening schools. We will continue to keep our
families and staff fully informed as these plans take shape. Specific details will be shared publicly beginning
with the Board Facilities and Education Committees this week, the Finance Committee next week, with a final
vote taking place at the October 15th Board Action meeting. Details on each meeting will be communicated.

Of course, health and safety will continue to be a priority and any reopening of schools will be contingent upon
meeting specific thresholds. A chart, from the PA Department of Education that will be used to guide us, is
shown here – along with current numbers for the county and our local area.

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