Philipsburg-Osceola’s reopening would include recommended masking, ‘quarantine centers’ and more
If Philipsburg-Osceola Area School District students return to school this fall, the district has proposed guidelines that vary depending on whether Centre or Clearfield counties are in the green, yellow, or red phase of Gov. Tom Wolf’s reopening plan.
The district announced its preliminary reopening plan Tuesday. Assuming both counties the district encompasses remain in the green phase, the least restrictive phase, all students will attend in-person classes daily. But if either county moves into the yellow, Superintendent Gregg Paladina said all buildings will comply with more strict guidelines.
If either county enters the red phase, there would be no in-person classes or activities.
“I’m excited about the possibility of students and staff returning to school in August,” Paladina said in video to families. “Our goal is to ensure that it can happen in the safest environment possible.”
In the green phase, the district said it would enhance cleaning and disinfecting procedures, and no outside visitors — parents or families — will be allowed inside school facilities, unless an IEP meeting cannot be held virtually or by phone.
Based on guidelines provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Education and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, masks are “recommended” while at school or on district transportation. Paladina said capacity on school buses would be reduced.
Thermal cameras would be installed at entrances to the high school, middle school and both elementary schools to conduct screenings.
“All students and staff will have their temperature checked daily to enter school buildings,” Paladina said.
A “quarantine center” would also be located at every district building where nurses would conduct screenings. In classrooms, the district plans to “minimize extra items” inside and “maximize social distancing.” Elementary students would remain in their classrooms throughout the day, and teachers would rotate rooms. Hallways and stairwells would be directional, and scheduled restroom and hand-washing times would be included in all grades’ schedules.
Class changes would be staggered at the middle and high school levels.
Under the proposal, all staff members will be masked, and some face shields and gloves will be required.
If Centre or Clearfield counties revert back to the yellow phase, 50% of students would attend in-person classes on scheduled days.
On Wednesdays, the district would be 100% cyber, and teachers will be on site to teach Monday-Tuesday and Thursday-Friday. Saturdays will be used to clean, according to the plan.
Class changes will remain staggered, and no common spaces will be permitted in the classroom.
The district’s plan also includes an “exposure protocol,” which states that the district will be closed for one day to deep clean buildings, buses and vans. Contact tracing will be conducted, and those who need to must quarantine for 14 days. Those individuals will receive instruction virtually.
“Our plan is to try to balance safety, academic needs, social and emotional needs, mental health needs, community demands and available resources,” Paladina said. “As always, we will continue to make efforts to keep families informed.”
Each school entity in Pennsylvania is required to submit its Health and Safety Plan to the state Department of Education prior to the reopening of schools. While Centre County districts continue to discuss proposals, only State College Area School District and Central Intermediate Unit 10 have submitted their plans to the PDE as of Monday.
