The Salisbury Township School Board curriculum and technology committee met June 22 via Zoom focusing on the successful aspects and challenges during the latter half of the 2019-2020 school year and potential changes for 2020-2021.

Director of Teaching and Learning Kelly Pauling gave insight into the final activities funded by PA Smart Grants, which expired June 30. Notable exercises include the collaboration between library learning and classrooms, using resources such as Kodable, which teaches programming to young students and integrating vocabulary such as algorithm, programming and debugging into the student lexicon at the elementary level.

She said these activities help to build equity and diversity in computer science programs. By applying these methods with younger students, it will build curiosity and engagement in the technology sector, which is projected to be a major field of employment for graduates over the next several years.

Pauling said Lauren Verna and John Leiderman were the first year teachers during 2019-2020 who successfully completed the state programming for first year teachers known as induction. Salisbury Township School District was able to provide 18 hours of additional professional learning for the staff, as well as mentorship from experienced teachers and various building supports.

Salisbury High School Principal Heather Morningstar provided an update on this year’s graduation. Diplomas were conferred between June 9 and 11 with much help from staff and parents. She mentioned a decision would be made July 1 regarding graduation, which is to be held July 22 either virtually or at Symphony Hall in Allentown. Morningstar also made mention of the district’s review of possible outdoor venues if such a move is necessary.

The meeting moved on to review planning for the upcoming academic year presented by Associate Superintendent Lynn Fuini-Hetten.

In collaboration with Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit 21 and Colonial Intermediate Unit 20, several task forces were created such as one for operations, communications, curriculum and instruction and special education, each of which have a representative from the Salisbury School District.

The groups are reviewing resources such as recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control, World Health Organization and the Bucks County Health Plan (based on WHO guidelines).

In addition to groups formed to discuss protocols, surveys distributed in May to staff and district parents received 683 parent responses and 119 staff responses to incorporate into planning.

Responses indicated that for safety, 95 percent of parent/guardian respondents thought increased handwashing was paramount, followed by temperature checks at 72.8 percent and modified classroom procedures based on government guidelines at 52 percent. The targeted use of face masks came in at only 36.6 percent.

In regard to returning to school in September, 57.8 percent of parent/guardian respondents and 47.5 percent of staff respondents hoped in-school instruction would resume with appropriate safety measures in place with 58.6 percent of parents/guardians and 54.4 percent of staff indicating they would like next year to include a combination of in-person and online instruction.

Open-ended responses from parents/guardians clearly showed a desire for additional structure and accountability during distance learning as well as reduced screen time for online teaching scenarios, with staff echoing a similar sentiment.

If returning to brick-and-mortar schools in the fall, the district will face significant challenges in the realm of social distancing in areas such as transportation, classroom size (desks, additional classroom spaces), shared supplies, cafeteria arrangements and even playground equipment.

The district is looking into several options for the structure of school in the fall. The three possibilities currently on the table are returning to physical school buildings for 100 percent of instruction time, a blended option that includes rotating students between face-to-face instruction and learning in an online environment and even possibly returning to all-virtual instruction.

Director of Student Activities Monica Deeb presented the return to play guidelines, which advises students, staff and parents on the reopening of sports activities in the district. The plan was developed with St. Luke’s University Health Network and in accordance with recommendations from the CDC, Pennsylvania Department of Health, Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association and the National Federation of State High School Associations.

The four-phase reopening plan started at the red level June 29 and advances through stages to the final level, which is green. The final stage is set to be reached by Aug. 17, with a disclaimer dates are subject to change based on COVID-19 conditions in the community and among athletes themselves.

The protocol addresses use of equipment, health screenings, busing, shower use, pick up/drop off and more. Participants at any level will also be required to sign a waiver about health and safety prior to returning to school sports.

The next curriculum and technology committee meeting will take place 7 p.m. Sept. 28.