Dear Phoenixville Families,
In less than two weeks we will be welcoming our students back for the start of the 2021-2022 school year. Like you we are busy with our final preparations and cannot wait to see your children again.
Last evening the PASD Board of Directors approved the District’s Health and Safety Plan for the 2021 – 2022 school year. The revised decision matrix reflects a change to the masking requirements while in school buildings.
Please note masks will be required indoors and on buses for all students, faculty, staff, and visitors.
Research has shown that wearing masks is a strong mitigation strategy to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Properly wearing masks will reduce the likelihood your child will need to quarantine if another student tests positive and is a close contact. This is an important mitigation factor, as it will help keep all our students and staff in school five days per week.
We understand that this decision is not the preference for all our families.
Regardless of personal beliefs on masking, it is our sincere desire to put reasonable and appropriate mitigation strategies in place so that all students may attend in-person classes and experience engaging and interactive lessons.
Masks are just one of the layers in our mitigation strategy. In addition, we will have the following safety measures in place:
- Daily sanitizing of all school buildings and school buses continues
- Upgraded HVAC systems, with HEPA filters, continue to increase the air circulation in all buildings
- Hand sanitizer is readily available, and we continue to emphasize frequent hand washing
- Classrooms and cafeterias will be at a minimum of 3 ft. social distancing when feasible
On-site antigen testing is available for symptomatic students and staff
The optimist in me chooses to view all of this in a very positive light. We will begin the school year with the majority of our students back in-person for a “normal” school experience. If we have learned anything in the past 18 months, it is to not take anything for granted.
I thank you for your understanding and support for the students, faculty, and staff as we begin what I am sure, with everyone’s focus on maintaining in-person learning, will be an exceptionally good year.
Respectfully,
Alan D. Fegley, Ed.D.