Bethel Park School District preps for back to school

On July 12, the Bethel Park school board passed the first rendition of its back to school health and safety plan.

The district anticipates a full return to five days per week, in-person learning this fall. Since the pandemic began in March 2020, BPSD has followed the guidelines of the Allegheny County Health Dept. and the Pennsylvania Dept. of Education, but this is about to change, according to assistant superintendent and pandemic response coordinator Zeb Janaste.

“Lately we were informed that Allegheny Health Dept. and Pennsylvania Dept. of Education will not be making this decision,” Janaste said.

From here on out, BPSD will be making its decisions based on CDC guidelines as well as any existing and emerging state and federal mandates. With that, Janaste said masks will not be required for students in BPSD — regardless of their age or vaccination status.

“Our district has taken a stance that we will leave that option to the parents,” Janaste said. “It’s a parental choice.”

Still, communications and public relations director for the district James Cromie said the administration is recommending that unvaccinated students wear masks indoors.

Janaste said this initial plan is a “scaled-down” version of the precautions by the district over the past year and a half.

While vaccinations will not be required for students, staff and faculty, BPSD continues to encourage eligible members of the community to get vaccinated through their ongoing partnership with Spartan Pharmacy. This year, BPSD has offered multiple vaccine clinics and plans to host another before the school year, if community demand calls for it, Cromie said.

However, remote learning options will be available for students who cannot participate in traditional, in-person learning.

“If a student doesn’t feel comfortable, they can attend Bethel Park Cyber Academy,” Cromie said.

Despite this option, Janaste said the district has not seen a dramatic increase in virtual students. Additionally, Janaste said that fewer than 10 students — in a district of roughly 4,000 — have opted to repeat a grade under Act 66, a program that allows for parents to request for their child to repeat a grade.

“Our numbers have been pretty consistent,” Janaste said.

To assist with any learning gaps that might have emerged during the year of virtual and hybrid schooling, Janaste said Bethel Park’s “Summer of Learning” programs have been wildly successful. Cromie said the number of students in attendance is “the most they’ve ever had by a long shot.”

They both mentioned the importance of tailoring these programs to the unique needs of the students.

“We do think some kids need remediation, and some kids need enrichment,” Cromie said.

Over the past year, BPSD has ramped up its efforts to provide mental health resources to students, a program it plans to keep in place going forward, Janaste said.

“You can see the kids are excited to be back,” Cromie said.

As the covid-19 situation continues to evolve, Janaste said the district will modify and adjust its plans based on available information and CDC guidelines.

“We’re in a much better situation to move forward this year,” Janaste said.