Task force created to plan for the safe reopening of Pennsylvania’s schools
Eight PA education associations, including PSBA, have formed a new task force aimed at getting Pennsylvania’s students back into their schools and classrooms as safely as possible. The other key education associations represented on the task force include the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA), the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators (PASA), the Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials (PASBO), the Pennsylvania Association of Intermediate Units (PAIU), PA Principals Association, the Pennsylvania Association of Career and Technical Administrators (PACTA), and the Pennsylvania Association of Rural and Small Schools (PARSS). The task force will review all issues related to the safe return of Pennsylvania’s students and draft plans for school districts’ use. The joint effort will include working groups categorized by key operational areas that include facility/logistics, staffing, instruction, transportation, special education, extracurricular activities, health and safety, communication, resources and community. Issues for consideration will include the potential staggering of school schedules to reduce the size of classrooms and open space gatherings, enhanced cleaning procedures and equipment for buildings and buses, implementation of additional policies related to PPE and masks, air quality measurements and enhanced filtration, meal preparation and serving procedures, after-school activity precautions to mitigate the potential spread of germs, redesigning of facilities to enhance social distancing, and procedures for student assemblies.