The reopening plan, posted as a 37-page document to the district website Thursday, details several changes made and protocols to be used by the district going forward, including a mask requirement for all students and staff.
However, parents can opt out of traditional classroom learning for one of the two alternatives: MyPCS Online or Pinellas Virtual School.
The reopening plan came after 43,000 Pinellas County families, students and staff completed a return-to-school survey, which helped inform the district in making the plan.
“After taking all the medical data and stakeholder input into account, the district has put a plan in place that provides learning options to all students’ and families’ needs, while keeping the health and safety of all individuals at the forefront of our decision making,” the drafted plan reads. “We know our families are anxious to make the best decision possible for their student(s), and our staff is equally eager to prepare for the 2020-2021 school year.”
According to the reopening plan, the classroom setting will include face-to-face instruction with many safety and health changes put in place. Students’ desks and lunch tables will be spread apart, meal times will be staggered and high-contact classes, like band, chorus and physical education, will operate differently to maintain social distancing and prevent the spread of germs.
The district will provide each student and district employee with five, free reusable masks at the start of the school year. Students’ names will be written on the masks to avoid cross contamination.
MyPCS will offer students a virtual version of the school they attend. They will still be enrolled and will receive instruction from teachers virtually following a daily schedule. Attendance is required and students will still be able to participate in school clubs, extracurriculars and athletics. Enrollment in MyPCS is a nine-week commitment to full-time virtual learning, which families will have the option to extend each quarter as long as it is offered.
Enrollment in Pinellas Virtual School, a franchise of Florida Virtual School, will mean students will no longer be enrolled in their typical Pinellas County school. This option entails totally virtual, self-paced instruction and is a full-semester (18 weeks) commitment. This option has been available to students for years.
The district school board is set to formally present the plan Tuesday, July 14, and parents must make their decision for the school year by 5 p.m. Monday, July 27.
Originally announcing it will not be mandating the use of face masks in schools, Hillsborough County school district recently reversed its decision. Now, all students and staff will be required to do so.
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This article appears in Jul 9-15, 2020.