Pennsylvania Schools Will Open in the Fall

Pennsylvania Schools Will Open in the Fall

How and when are still up on the air

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf said Friday that there is “no question” that schools will be open for in-person learning this fall. What remains unclear is how and when that will happen.

Wolf held his first in-person news conference Friday since the coronavirus pandemic began back in March, and said that the state’s Department of Education will release guidelines about how the 2020-21 school year will look as this year’s winds to a close following months of virtual-only learning.

“We are going to be opening schools,” Wolf said. “Whether it’s August or September, that depends on the local school district.”

Questions remain; Will students have to wear masks to school? The governor responded with a direct answer, “No question.”

What will schools look like next year? Educators are not certain as they continue to battle with the idea of how next school year will look. According to CDC recommendations, desks are to be place six feet apart and all teachers should wear pasts, all of the time, and by students some of the time. It also may mean that students eat lunches in their individual classrooms, and the possibility of students splitting time between in school instruction and home schooling.

“You’ll probably have more online learning, and maybe less classroom learning,” Wolf said. “There might be fewer students in each classroom, on average, that kind of thing. So, it probably will look different, but the Department of Education is working on those guidelines and I think they should be out early next week."

Moving forward, the governor said there will be more capacity in our healthcare system, and the state will have the ability to do more testing. He also added, that returning to a stay at home order, and thus no in-person school, is not out of the question later this year if the conditions call for it.

“Thre’s an opt-out clause here that, if a comet strikes, you know, but we are doing everything we can to make sure schools are open on time in the fall,” Wolf said.

About the Author

Ralph C. Jensen is the Publisher of Security Today magazine.

Featured

  • Campus Parking Problems: Modern Security Solutions

    Parking: for many, it’s an everyday fact of life. Whenever we drive somewhere, we must consider parking, and often, that parking experience sets our mood and expectations for the rest of the journey. Whether a quick grocery store pickup or long-term airport parking, the parking lot is an integral part of whatever type of campus you’re visiting. This includes destinations like retail stores, your local high school, hospitals, and the park-and-ride systems present in major cities. Read Now

  • The Critical Need for Naloxone on School Campuses

    The opioid crisis is escalating across the United States, increasingly affecting all segments of the population, including students on K-12 and college campuses. As the threat from opioids, especially fentanyl, becomes more widespread, it's critical for schools to have naloxone available—an antidote for opioid overdoses. This article discusses why naloxone should be as common as Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in educational settings. Read Now

  • Best Practices for A Holistic Approach to Video Solutions in Campus Security

    Video surveillance is one of the most common security measures implemented by educational institutions today, but installing cameras is just the beginning. Adopting a holistic, comprehensive approach to video surveillance is a more effective way to safeguard campus communities and fully realize the value of your investment in physical security systems. Read Now

  • Back to School Planning is a Year-Round Commitment

    With summer underway, K-12 and college students, faculty, and staff are taking a well-earned break to recharge and gear up for the fall. It’s also the season when security professionals can get in and get busy installing upgrades and retrofits before the new school year starts. It’s a brief window, but, thanks to diligent planning throughout the year, the pros are always ready to hit the ground running at the last bell of spring term to make the most out of the limited time available. Read Now

Most   Popular

Webinars

Whitepapers