Brockway, PA – The Brockway Area School District approved a flexible reopening plan that provides options for families as well as allows for changes in the state’s response to the pandemic.
The district plans to reopen August 27 with in-person instruction.
However, additional safety guidelines will be in place, including requiring teachers to wear masks, disinfecting classrooms with hospital-grade cleaning agents, and spacing students further apart. Currently, the school’s shop teachers are building hundreds of plexiglass shields to help divide students if classrooms do not have enough room to space students out sufficiently.
Plexiglass Shield Prototype
The district’s plans also have three attendance options for parents, allowing for blended online and in-person classes or even all-online classes through the district’s cyber program. That program is overseen by Brockway teachers and allows students to get tutoring or take part in the school’s extracurricular activities.
Superintendent Jeff Vizza said the full plan will be available on the school district’s website.
The re-opening date of August 27 is a shift from the original plan. The district is adding an in-service day on August 26 to make sure the staff is ready for the new year. Currently, Brockway teachers are being trained on online teaching methods.
Parents are invited to come to seminars on July 28 and 29. More information about those sessions can be obtained by calling the school district.
The district hired a new English teacher. Mackenzie Pence will take the classroom left empty after longtime English teacher Tracey Dusch retired. The district also hired Darren Morelli as girls’ volleyball coach. The district continued its relationships with Dickenson Center, New Story, and Pyramid Healthcare to provide therapy and other educational services.
The next meeting will be August 11 at 7 p.m.
