Delco Schools Get Guidance From Chester County Health Officials

DELAWARE COUNTY, PA — Chester County has been serving Delaware County's public health needs since the early days of the coronavirus pandemic due to Delco's lack of a health department. And Chester County's Health Department recently issued guidelines for Delco schools as students begin learning again in the fall.

The Chester County Health Department recently released a detailed guide for resuming learning in Delaware County school districts.

Among the guidelines included in the document are ensuring ventilation systems are working well and bring in more outside air; banning uses of water fountains; limiting face-to-face seating for students; restricting cafeteria use and serve some meals in classrooms; providing on-site coronavirus screening for students and staff; and requiring universal mask usage for all students and staff with some exemptions.

See full details of the guidelines here.

The guidance follows months of communication with Delaware County superintendents and other school administrators and was established to help superintendents as they determine plans for the 2020-2021 school year.

Included in the guidance are best practices and public health guidelines for in-person classroom learning.

"Delaware County Council recognizes the value of in-person education for both teachers and students and their families," officials said in a statement. "Council has had ongoing meetings with school districts and the Delaware County Intermediate Unit (DCIU) throughout the pandemic and realizes that every school district has their own unique structural and financial differences and respects each district’s individual needs and resources."

Delaware County Council and the Chester County Health Department will offer support to districts as they begin the school year and throughout the school year.

Given the urgency of the financial situation for many school districts as they make these difficult decisions, the Delaware County Council is calling for prompt federal funding to help assist schools during this critical juncture.