McKeesport outlines plans for second nine weeks of school

By JEFF STITT

jstitt@yourmvi.com

McKeesport Area School District has released new information about what its reopening plan will look like during the second nine weeks of school.

The district asked families to take a survey during the week of Sept. 21 to learn if parents and guardians were interested in making any changes to their children’s instructional model for the second nine weeks.

The district is offering students the option to either attend school in person five days per week or to attend completely virtually. Students utilizing the in-person hybrid model are dismissed from the school building about two hours earlier than they would have been in previous school years and are required to finish the school day via remote learning.

The most recent survey gave parents the ability to immediately opt in to or continue online learning for the second nine weeks, or to submit their plans for their children to return to school in person for the second nine weeks.  

“For students that have elected to return to school after the first nine weeks, there will be a staggered approach implemented,” the district said in a letter and a Facebook post, adding that the target dates for the process of phasing students in would occur on Nov. 4, 5 and 6.

“Based on the current survey results on students returning to our brick-and-mortar schools, we have determined that we will be able to continue social distancing,” the district stated. “There is still a mandatory masking order in place, which will be strictly enforced.

“Our current two-hour early release schedule will remain, into the second nine weeks. … Students should be working remotely once they arrive home, to supplement the rest of the school day.”

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