Deer Lakes plans in-person classes, online instruction for 2020-21 school year

Deer Lakes School District will offer in-person instruction as well as fully online classes when students return for the 2020-21 school year on Aug. 26, officials said.

“Please know that we continue to plan for adaptation and change, not perfection, because of the constantly changing situations surrounding the spread of covid-19,” Superintendent Janell Logue-Belden said in a statement.

“We are taking every precaution we can to ensure the health, safety and well-being of our entire school community,” Logue-Belden added.

The district used results from community surveys and guidance from state and local officials to decide on potential reopening plans, which differ according to each phase designated for a county by the state. All counties in the state are currently in the green phase.

In the green phase, students can attend in-person classes or utilize online instruction. However, if the number of students who choose online classes exceeds those who want in-person instruction, the start of the school day for in-person learning will be delayed.

If Allegheny County returned to the yellow phase, the number of students attending in-person classes would decrease by half. Students would only attend in-person classes on alternate days. The start of the school day for in-person learning also would be delayed.

In the red phase, all students would participate in online learning.

Students who choose in-person instruction will be required to wear face coverings when inside all district facilities.

The district plans to provide students and staff with face shields. Students who wish to wear a different type of face covering can do so with permission from their building principal.

Face coverings may only be removed when students are eating or drinking at least six feet apart, when sitting at desks or assigned work spaces at least six feet apart, or while engaged in any activity at least six feet apart.

Students with medical conditions or disabilities that would stop them from being able to remove a face covering without assistance don’t have to wear them.

”We will continue to work on details for how our in-person instruction will take place, guided by feedback from local and state officials, survey responses and our task force meetings,” Logue-Belden said.

The school board will hold a virtual special board meeting at 6 p.m. July 30 to adopt the return-to-school plan. The meeting will be held virtually via the Zoom platform. To attend the meeting, click here.