By CHRISTINE HAINES
Public input helped the Belle Vernon Area School Board develop at least part of its health and safety plan for the 2021-22 school year.
After hearing from several members of the public during the planning meeting last week, the board came to some decisions while still waiting on further input from the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the Department of Health.
“The Belle Vernon Area School Board has decided that for the 2021-22 school year, masks and face shields will be optional for all students and staff members,” School Board President Dan Engstrom said. “Because we feel the best mode for learning is face to face, we will not be offering synchronous online education in the fall.”
Parent Jodi Bloomwood asked when attendance at sporting events would return to normal.
“We’re still waiting for final guidance from the PDE and Department of Health. We want to give parents as much opportunity as possible,” said School Director Dan Kovatch. “One of the things we were most proud of, while we had shortened seasons, we didn’t have to cancel anything this year. We understand how much extra went into doing that.”
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