Benjamin Logan Schools Interim Superintendent John Scheu recently released a letter to district families detailing the upcoming 2020-21 school year and plans amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The district begins the school year with students on the previously scheduled calendar date of Tuesday, Sept. 8, with pupils learning in-school with face-to-face instruction similar to a traditional school day.
“However, we are considering many factors to ensure the health and safety of our students, educators and staff once our school buildings reopen,” Scheu said.
There will be no open houses prior to the start of the school year, and no volunteers or visitors in the buildings this year.
An alternative online learning option is available for students, and families who want to pursue that option need to notify Stephanie Snyder, superintendent’s administrative assistant, of their intent by Aug. 7 via e-mail to snyders.
School officials related that remote learning will be very different than what students experienced at the conclusion of the 2019-20 school year. They noted that is will be more challenging and self-guided; be conducted online-only with no paper copies available; require daily attendance and participation in lessons; have a higher level of accountability on students; and use the grading scale to determine letter grades, academic standing, GPA and etc.
Benjamin Logan also plans to offer traditional bus routes, with each student required to ride only one bus and no alternative busing will be available.
Staff members will be required to wear face masks or face shields when in direct contact with students or less than 6 feet apart. Face masks are not required for students, but are strongly encouraged.
Appropriate safety measures will be in place for cleaning and sanitizing multiple times a day.
“We will promote good hygiene, hand-washing and the appropriate use of hand sanitizer,” the interim superintendent said.
“We know circumstances may change in our district/state/nation that may require us to be flexible with our plans,” he concluded.