West Jefferson Hills School District looks forward to return to normalcy this fall
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For West Jefferson Hills School District superintendent Michael Ghilani, the approaching start of the school year signifies one thing — the end to what he calls “smile deprivation.”
After a year of virtual learning and fully masked instruction for the students of the district, Ghilani said he is thrilled to welcome them back to five days per week, in-person learning this fall.
While the district’s health and safety plan for the coming year has not been approved by the school board or state health department yet, Ghilani said he is confident in the proposal. The board is scheduled to vote on the plan on July 26 and will send it for approval by the Pennsylvania Health Department by July 30.
Throughout the district, mask-wearing will be optional for students while in school, allowing for teachers and students to see each other’s smiling faces for the first time in over a year, Ghilani said.
“It’s really refreshing to see kids be kids again,” Ghilani said.
Due to the ongoing federal mask mandate on public transportation, school buses will remain the one exception to WJHSD’s mask guidelines. All bus drivers and students riding buses will be required to wear masks onboard. Ghilani said that if and/or when the CDC repeals or modifies this policy, WJHSD will follow suit.
WJHSD will also be continuing many social distancing measures and enhanced cleaning and HVAC protocols.
While vaccinations will not be required for staff, faculty and students, WJHSD is encouraging vaccinations for those eligible through their continued relationship with Pleasant Hills Apothecary. This partnership has allowed the district to offer multiple vaccine clinics on-site for staff members and, eventually, students. Ghilani said the district anticipates hosting another vaccine clinic before the start of the school year on Aug. 23.
“As far as adults who work for the district, we’re well over 85% vaccinated,” Ghilani said.
For students who are not ready or able to be back in the classroom full time, parents can enroll their child in West Jefferson Hills Cyber Academy, a tailored online program with optional in-person learning opportunities.
“Our teachers teach in it (WJH Cyber),” Ghilani said.
According to assistant superintendent of secondary education Scott Milburn, 37 students — out of nearly 3,200 in the district — have opted into West Jefferson Hills Cyber Academy for this coming school year.
“The benefit of that program obviously is that you’re not exposed to anyone,” Ghilani said.
But Ghilani said the enrollment numbers and results of parent surveys are clear. Overwhelmingly, students, teachers and parents want to see a return to normalcy across the district.
This year, students will be returning to standard scheduling, as opposed to the modified class schedules they have been utilizing since the pandemic first hit.
Other than this change, Ghilani said the school year will be relatively normal, and he will continue to search for ways to best support students as they make the transition back to in-person schooling.
“I know everyone’s worried about what they’ve lost, but we can’t lose sight of their (the students’) mental health,” Ghilani said.
Ghilani said there has been a noticeable rise in suicidal ideations and mental health incidents among students over the past year. He stressed that the district is doing everything in its power to provide students with the help they need during this time. There is at least one licensed therapist in every WJHSD building along with several other resources for students in crisis.
While Ghilani continues to monitor the ongoing situation with students’ mental health, he hopes the return to in-person learning will help ease some of the stressors that can exacerbate mental health conditions.
“Part of our theme this year is really going to be reconnecting,” Ghilani said.