Bensalem Gets Ready To Reopen Schools Nov. 16 In 'Hybrid Model'

BENSALEM, PA — Bensalem Township School District is getting ready to launch its next phase of learning amid a coronavirus pandemic. According to Superintendent Samuel Lee, schools will reopen on Monday, Nov. 16 at the start of the second marking period and offer a mix of in-person and remote learning.

Students have been divided into two cohorts: blue and gray. The blue cohort will be in school on Mondays and Tuesdays, and the gray cohort will attend on Thursdays and Fridays, Lee told parents, students and staff in a letter this week.

"We created this schedule with coordination across buildings, so that siblings can come to school on the same days. This means that our teachers will be teaching with half the class sitting in front of them in school, while the other half of the class is live streaming in from home," he said. "The schedule will be different for our students with complex learning needs. They will now be on the Owls schedule, attending in person Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday with remote learning on Wednesday."

Lee said the reason for the hybrid schedule is that school officials cannot safely social distance students a minimum of six feet apart from themselves and from their teacher unless classes are divided in half.

"It is not an ideal environment for our students, and it is not an ideal teaching situation for teachers who are working with students in front of them, as well as those at home. However, we do not have enough space in the entire district to spread students out sufficiently unless we only bring in half the number of students each day," Lee said.

According to Lee, the logistics of planning for re-entry will be complicated. Every aspect and minute of the day must be carefully designed so that students do not walk or gather together as they typically do in groups, whether on the bus, as they walk into or out of school, in the hallways, or sitting in the cafeteria, he said. Principals have also devised plans that replicate the schedules that students are on now so as not to disrupt those existing schedules.

In an effort to accommodate all students during the COVID-19 pandemic and remain within social distancing guidelines, instructional activities will be recorded and/or livestreamed through secure communications applications, according to school officials. These recordings or livestreams could include a child’s voice and/or image, Lee said.

Lee said the livestream or recording is to support the student’s ability to access educational information. Any such recordings will be destroyed when it is no longer necessary for that purpose. Recordings will not be maintained by or otherwise considered educational records of the district for any purpose.

"I also wish to make everyone aware that the success of re-opening is dependent on the continued partnership between home and school. So far, our student athletes and special learners have done a remarkable job keeping safe and adhering to everything that we have asked of them, and we have not had any instance of intra-school transmission or virus as a result," Lee added. "We hope that all of our families will continue to do their part to ensure that we all adhere to social distancing and wearing masks outside of school, as well as in our schools."

All staff, students and essential visitors MUST screen themselves PRIOR to entering any Bensalem Township School District building. Click here to view COVID-19 Self Screening Questionnaire

Hybrid and Remote Learning Guides for Students & Families:

Elementary Grades K – 6
English: https://tinyurl.com/y5ewvgjj
Spanish: https://tinyurl.com/y4cnqq3a

Secondary Grades 7 – 12
English: https://tinyurl.com/btsdhybridsecondaryfamily
Spanish: https://tinyurl.com/btsdhybridsecondaryspanish

Click Here to View 2020-2021 Return to School Brochure