Pottsgrove Moving to 4-Day Classes April 6

With the COVID-19 infection rate dropping, CDC restrictions easing and Gov. Tom Wolf putting teachers on the priority list for vaccines, the Pottsgrove School Board took a step toward normal Tuesday night.

The board unanimously endorsed the recommendation of Superintendent William Shirk that the district expand its three-days-in-class-tow-days-out Hybrid model to four days a week.

The change is scheduled to take place April 6. Before that happens, the district is awaiting the results of another survey attempting to figure out how many more students will return under the new model.

So far, only 41 percent of the student body has responded to the survey, said Shirk.

The numbers are needed so plans can be made for social distancing in classes and for bus routes, he told the board.

"Vaccines will be in teachers arms this weekend," said Shirk. "It's really positive and I feel really good about where we are at this point."

Social distancing of six feet will be maintained wherever possible, but new health guidelines indicate that three feet is adequate for students.

Teachers will continue to maintain six feet of distance from each other and from students along with all the other precautions the district has already mastered, said Shirk.

Board member Bill Parker said he would even support returning for the full five days, but Shirk said that would create a disadvantage for the all-virtual students as teachers really need that fifth day to catch up and connect with them.

Board member Patti Grimm expressed concern about having everyone return "right after the holiday, like at Christmas." She said people were likely to travel during the Easter break and could bring the coronavirus back with them.

"I don't want to miss another opportunity to get back. I'm really optimistic we can do this," said Shirk. 

"It's been a long road to get back to here," said Pottsgrove School Board President Robert Lindgren. 

"There's been a lot of challenges to get here. There's a lot of work to make up," he said. "It's going to be a challenge for all of us, kids and the parents, and we thank them for their forbearance."

Click here to see the Tweets from the meeting.