DISTANCE LEARNING

West Chester Area School District still keeping students six feet apart

WEST WHITELAND » While the recommended degree of social distancing varies from county to county, West Chester Area School District Superintendent Dr. Jim Scanlon said Thursday, as part of a release, that the district is sticking to six feet of separation for students and staff.

Current guidance concerning minimum student and staff distancing, according to the Chester County Health Department, is six feet.

“The value of COVID-19 vaccination not only supports the health and wellness of individuals, it also leads to herd immunity,” Jeanne Casner, Chester County Health Department Director said. “The Chester County Health Department is reviewing guidance that adds vaccination as another layer of mitigation measures, and the eventual impact of the vaccine will help to inform revised guidance on social distancing.”

WCASD is following the guidance of Casner and the health department.

“Bucks County Department

of Health recommends 3-6 feet of social distancing, so each county has different guidance,” Scanlon said. “All school districts in Chester County are following the six feet of social distancing guidance.”

Most WCASD students are on a hybrid schedule of both in-school and virtual learning since the schools are not big enough to keep everyone six feet apart at one time.

Scanlon hopes that social distancing guidance will change from six to three feet with the availability of vaccines this spring.

“When that takes place, we will be able to consider bringing our students in five days per week,” Scanlon said. “In the meantime, we are bringing in students based on need for four days, or five days per week since October.

“We are making every attempt to best use the space we have, while still following all the safety procedures, including six feet of social distancing.”

The Health Department reported on Friday that 23,060 people in the county have tested positive, with 159,318 negative tests. There have been 572 deaths in the county.

In only five municipalities, less than three percent of residents have tested positive. Warwick, Charlestown, Newlin, West Marlborough and East Marlborough townships have tested for a lower percentage of positive results.

SUBMITTED PHOTO West Chester students wearing masks await start of instruction.

SUBMITTED PHOTO West Chester students sit in class waiting for instruction to start.

BILL RETTEW - MEDIANEWS GROUP West Chester Area School District Superintendent Dr. Jim Scanlon is working overtime due to COVID guidelines.