Bensalem Township School District issued the following announcement.
Dear Bensalem Families and Staff:
As we head toward Thanksgiving, we have entered a period in the pandemic that was unfortunately predictable.
Our Health and Safety plan has been executed in the interest of safe, in-person instruction, but since last week COVID-19 numbers have increased in Bensalem and Bucks County significantly.
We are now in our third week in the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s substantial risk category. Just in the last few days, 5 students have been revealed to be COVID-19 +, 7 since November 16. Additionally, 7 staff members have tested positive for COVID-19 since November 16. Currently, there are 10 virtual students that have tested positive, and approximately 30 students are quarantining.
Again, to date, we have no definitive evidence that any of these positive cases were contracted in our schools, however it stands to reason that the increasing number of cases could compromise any organization’s ability to contact trace. For that I have concern.
The increasing volume of cases in our community, county and country, and the upcoming holiday season and associated travel possibilities in congregate settings exacerbates that concern.
The Pennsylvania Department of Education shared additional guidance on November 23 for school districts related to instructional modalities, and the previously issued guidance of low, moderate, and substantial risk counties. Our Health and Safety Plan has been updated to include this guidance.
For the aforementioned reasons and our experience, I am recommending that we return to synchronous remote instruction on Monday, November 30 through Wednesday, December 9, with the exception of our "Special Learners" in the Owls Cohort. We want to Return to hybrid on Thursday, December 10, 2 weeks beyond Thanksgiving.
Students will return to the Hybrid Learning Model as follows:
Owl Cohort returns to the classroom on Monday, December 7.
Gray Cohort returns to the classroom on Thursday, December 10.
Blue Cohort returns to the classroom on Monday, December 14.
There were other options considered, including a return to synchronous remote instruction until mid- January.
It is imperative that we not just respect our Health and Safety Plan, but we execute it faithfully and with fidelity, always and every day. That is the only way to keep our kids in school, where we know it provides the best opportunity and possibilities for them. I can’t stress it enough.
We meet again on Monday, December 7 for our annual School Board Reorganization meeting and will re-evaluate the situation. The re-evaluation process is by no means a static process. It is something we talk about and we look at every day. We share information and data not just amongst ourselves, but with our community through our website, through communication related to COVID-19, among other things, including through and with other districts every day in concert and collaboration with our Bucks County Intermediate Unit, the Bucks County Department of Health, the Pennsylvania Department of Education, and the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
Our Health and Safety plan is paramount, as is its execution and vigilance related to it. It’s the only way we keep our kids in school. It’s the best opportunity. It’s what our kids need and it’s what our kids deserve. It’s what our community deserves!
Additionally, "Grab and Go" No Cost Meals will be available from November 30 to December 9, Monday to Friday from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm in front of all school buildings. Also, we are resuming bus runs with free food. Please see below schedule.
I wish you all a safe and happy Thanksgiving!
Samuel Lee, Ed.D.
District Superintendent
Original source can be found here.
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