Reports on School Reopening
Week 2 - Meetings between July 6 - 10, 2020
Four committees have been created to analyze the pros, cons, and implications of scenarios under consideration to re-open schools in August and assist in the development of our health and safety plan. Committee membership comprises students and families, members of the Cheltenham Educators’ Association (CEA), Business Employees’ Council (BEC), school board, and Cheltenham community, and school-level and central office administrators. These committees will continue to meet once a week through the week of July 27:
Curriculum and Instruction
Health and Wellness
Operations
Student Activities and Sports
Following every meeting, the subcommittees will share with the community written reports outlining how each of the aforementioned areas will be addressed. For those with questions, please send them to schoolreopeningcommittee@cheltenham.org. Questions will be routed to the appropriate sub-committee.
SUB-COMMITTEE REPORTS
Curriculum and Instruction
The Curriculum and Instruction Committee met on Wednesday, July 8. The meeting began with students, parents, teachers, community members, and administrators sharing feedback that they received from Week 1’s communication. The committee spent a significant amount of time discussing various student scheduling scenarios and possibilities for this fall. Members shared what returning to school would like in the buildings as well as virtually. School building conversations included plans for social distancing, delivery of instruction, handling of materials and supplies, movement throughout the building, facilitating school lunch, recess, and specialist classes.
The committee also discussed virtual instructional models and methods including synchronous and asynchronous instruction, live streaming, and family and teacher support. Members also pointed out areas in which elementary and secondary schools needed to be aligned and areas unique to elementary and secondary children. The committee continues to be mindful about presenting a plan that reflects red, yellow, and green phases of reopening so we are as prepared as we can be during these uncertain times. The committee is in the process of offering feedback on a green phase draft proposal. View the slide deck>
Next meeting: Wednesday, July 15, 10 a.m. The agenda aims to conclude a green phase proposal to present to the superintendent for review.
Committee Membership
Students: Noah Gocial (CHS), Ava President (CHS), Enrique Tellado (CBK)
Parents: Phaedra Brown, Patrick Liedtka, Georgina Perez Liz, Sarah Lowing
Community: Tasha Holland, Andrea Morton, Darrien Peoples
BEC: Patsy Jarvis, Donna Ogborn
CEA: Andrea Clipsham, Mark Hoff, Bevan McShea
School Board: Julie Haywood, Pam Henry, Dan Schultz
Administrative Assistant: Dominique Peters
School Administrators: Jason Lytle, Craig Metcalfe, James Taylor
Central Office Administrators: Charlene Collins, Beverly Gallagher, Brian Reilly, Tamara T. Smith
Health and Wellness
The Health and Wellness Committee met on Thursday, July 9. The committee revisited its previous discussion regarding educational programming and materials on proper hand washing protocol and addressed the following health and wellness matters: conducting health screenings for students and staff, protecting high-risk students and staff, creating isolation procedures and providing mental and social-emotional health support for students and staff. To assist with addressing these matters, the committee will review guidelines from the Montgomery County Office of Public Health on reopening schools, which are currently under development
Committee member Mr. Benjamin Evans of the Penn Behavioral Health Corporate Services Employee Assistance Program (EAP) presented strategies for self-care and wellness. The EAP is a benefit offered by Cheltenham School District designed to help employees and their families work through a variety of personal challenges, as well as work-related issues. The program offers confidential counseling services, live webinars for personal and professional development as well as 24-hour access to telephone and online assistance. View the slide deck>
Next meeting: Thursday, July 16, 10 a.m. The agenda includes a continuation of the discussion about mental and social-emotional health supports, in addition to infectious disease communication and protective equipment protocols.
Committee Membership
Students: Sojourna Ali-Orlena (CHS), Lucia Kaufman (CHS), Quincy Rhoades (CHS)
Parents: Lauren Cain-Baxter, Khristen Simms, Mary Wilson
Community: Willie Mae Bell, Benjamin Evans, Kerry Mulvey
BEC: Aisha Raye, Vicky Sanchez
CEA: Alex Knab, Brigid Ryan, Robin Sturgis, Tracey Oliver Davis, Mitchell Green
School Board: Chris Pender
Administrative Assistants: Gwen Hatcher, Danita Wisher
School Administrators: Lori Felgoise, Nick Perez, Brian Wallace
Central Office Administrators: Ray Realdine, Adrienne Tolbert-Jackson, Jonathan White, Cheryl Horsey
Operations
The Operations Committee convened for its second meeting on Wednesday , July 8, and the group discussed the operational aspects of reopening under yellow and green phases. Documentation from the Chester County Health Department reopening document was shared with the group, which also went through operational aspects relating to cleaning and disinfecting, social distancing and protocols and transportation and cafeteria. Discussion was focused around social distancing and how it will impact opening from an operations perspective.
Next Meeting: Wednesday, July 15, 10 a.m. The agenda includes reopening documentation in relation to cleaning and disinfecting, social distancing and protocols, and transportation and cafeteria, and, if it's available, the Montgomery County Health Department guidance for reopening.
Committee Membership
Students: Mia Weisman (CHS), Charlie Sywulak-Herr (CHS)
Parents/Guardians: Sara Vernon Sterman, Rashana Floyd, Larry Wapnitsky
Community: Myron Goldman, Maureen Cahill (Chartwells), Joe Casale (Cheltenham Trans)
BEC: Mary Alice Windish
CEA: Lisa Garrison, Stephen Buckingham, Corrine Ayers
School Board: David Cohen, Bill England
Administrative Assistant: Dawn Woods
School Administrators: Lynn Trumbette, Byron Ryan, Christine Zubairu
Central Office Administrators: David Teasdale, Cara Michaels, Chris Barone, Jim Custer
Student Activities and Sports
The Student Activities and Sports Committee hosted its second meeting on Zoom on Tuesday, July 7. The agenda fall back to play steps and considerations for student activities and clubs. The return to play steps included an overview and discussion of the following areas: limitations on gathering, facilities cleaning, safety measures, social distancing and attendance at contests, events and activities, and travel to COVID-19 hot spots. Mr. Blackwell also spoke about the COVID-19 monitoring form and online training course student-athletes will have to complete before beginning workouts.
Next Meeting: Tuesday, July 14, 10 a.m. Agenda includes a review of CSD’s athletics and marching band health and safety plan for voluntary workouts; if available, the preliminary results on woodwinds and brass from the performing arts organizations-commissioned COVID-19 study; and other marching band considerations.
Committee Membership
Parents/Guardians: Judith Goldberg, Mark Kelly, Carrie Peck
Community: Robert Beale, Meleah Brame, Irv Brockington
BEC: Kim Slaninko
CEA: Chris Manser, Ishbara Acosta, Ryan Nase
School Board: Charles Burdell-Williams, Joel Fishbein
Administrative Assistant: Johnna Geigert
School Administrators: Ben Hammond, Shareese Nelson, Adicia Cohen-Johnson, Suni Blackwell
Central Office Administrators: Kevin Kaufman, Steve Chinta