BVA to consider back-to-school options

By Christine Haines

chaines@yourmvi.com

The Belle Vernon Area School Board will vote on the reopening plan for the fall semester next week, with a variety of options available.

Superintendent Dr. Michele Dowell will present the options to the board and the public during Monday night’s school board meeting. The public will have the opportunity to ask questions and present comments during the meeting, which will be held on Zoom.

“The plan will address the health and safety challenges presented by the COVID-19 emergency and will include education plans including remote learning, in school instruction, transportation and plans for feeding students,”  Dowell stated in a news release. “More specifically, the proposed education plan includes two primary options to begin the 2020-21 school year for Kindergarten through 12th grade. 

“Option 1 shall consist of a hybrid model where students will attend school in-person two days a week and do remote education with synchronous learning three days a week. Option 2 shall offer full time, remote education with synchronous learning. With both options, students will need to participate with their classrooms daily to be counted as present.”

With synchronous learning, students at home will participate in classes in real time as though they are being taught in the school buildings. 

“They will be able to see what the teacher is doing,” Dowell said. “They will be able to ask the teachers questions in real time. It will be using Zoom, but it will be active. It won’t be a one-hour session. The students will be following their schedules.”

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