Council Rock To Return To Five-Day In-Person Learning For K-6

NEWTOWN, PA — Starting next month, students in grades K-6 at Council Rock School District can return to school for in-person instruction five days a week after the school board voted to eliminate virtual-only learning on Wednesdays.

The school board voted 7-2 to return to five-day in-person learning for elementary students on April 6, the start of the fourth marking period. Board members Mark Byelich and Michael Thorwart voted against the measure, with both arguing the return should have come sooner.

"I don't see the need for the delay," Byelich said. "The superintendent said he needs about two weeks to get this in order. I won't be supporting this motion solely because I want it to happen sooner for the kids and the families."

"It’s been a year since we’ve had normal school for these children," Thorwart said. "As I stated last week I wanted them back to school last week.

A subsequent motion by Byelich to move the date up to March 17 was denied in a 5-4 vote.

Related: Council Rock Schools See Low Attendance Amid Expanded Reopening

Superintendent Robert Fraser said the plan is to have students in all grade levels enrolled in five-day in-person learning when classes resume in the fall.

Masks Off For Spring Sports

During Thursday's meeting, the board also discussed the possibility of eliminating a requirement that student athletes in springs sports be required to wear masks during competitive play.

School board member Michael Thorwart asked when the district might consider relaxing that policy in light of a recent letter issued by Bucks County Department of Health indicating that masks are no longer needed to be worn for outdoor sporting events.

It's a topic that's been discussed at length this week among the 24 school districts in the Suburban One League, which includes districts in Bucks and Montgomery counties, Superintendent Robert Fraser said.

"The issue for us is not so much whether we’re following the Bucks County guidance. Our goal is to have our students have as many opportunities to compete as possible," said Charles Lambert, Director of Special Services for Council Rock schools. "Half of schools in Suburban One have indicated they will still be wearing masks. The possible consequence is that if we don't require masks, we will lose the opportunity to participate against those schools. Our plan is to continue to have masks."

Fraser said he generally agreed with Damsker's guidance that masks are not necessary for students engaged in outdoor sporting activities.

"We are okay with our spring athletes not wearing masks," he said. "From a health and safety standpoint, they're outside. Our fall athletes didn't wear masks when they competed [outdoors] and we didn't have any issues on the playing fields, so we have that same comfort level going into the spring."

Byelich also expressed concern over some language in Damsker's letter, which he read aloud: "Bucks County Department of Health has determined it may create an unsafe condition for a person to wear a mask while actively engaged in athletics."

He wondered if the district could face any potential legal liability should a student have a medical incident on the field.

Given that there is still ample public health guidance that suggests masks should be worn during athletics events, it seems unlikely, according to Robert Cox, solicitor to Council Rock School District.

"I think [Dr. Damsker's] office is signaling to school districts in this county that it's safe to have athletic events without masks," Cox said. "I'd like to see how the conversation shakes out among the league and participating school districts leading up to the outdoor season."

You can watch the full meeting below:

Editor's Note: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that virtual-only Wednesdays were in effect for secondary students.

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