The target seems to be ever-changing, but Palmerton Area School District has an approved health and safety plan on the books heading into the 2020-21 school year.

The school board unanimously approved a plan Tuesday night that gives families multiple options, led by a hybrid of two days of in-class instruction and three days of virtual learning for students.

“The ultimate goal all along was to safely return our students and staff to school, while mitigating COVID-19 risks,” Dr. Jodi Frankelli said.

The hybrid plan would essentially split each class in half, with one group going to school on Monday and Tuesday, and the other group going on Wednesday and Thursday. On the three days students would not be in school, they would be watching and participating in their classes online.

Palmerton initially released a plan on July 15 calling for a full five-day return to school for all students, but pulled it the next day when the state handed out guidelines urging for more social distancing.

“That guidance on July 16 really then became our north star,” Frankelli said. “It was very firm on the 6 feet of social distancing and there is no way we could have full classes while achieving that.”

Parents have expressed concern about juggling their work schedule with assisting their children in getting through a virtual school day. Frankelli said the decision to go with a hybrid option was not an easy one.

“We know this is a challenge for parents, she said. “I don’t want to gloss over that. We’re trying to do what we think is in the best interest of the kids, interacting with the teacher in a live, synchronous manner. Even though the child will be at home for three days, they will still be able to interact with their teacher.”

With the district plan approved, work will start on building level plans, Frankelli said, as well as determining student scheduled and which days they would be in school. A survey will be sent home to parents to determine who will be choosing the hybrid option, as opposed to an all-virtual learning option, the Blue Bomber Cyber Academy, or an outside charter school.

“There is a sibling component that will be taken into account with the scheduling,” Frankelli said. “Some families want siblings to go on the same day and some said it would be easier if they were on opposite schedules. When we get that sorted out, we’ll move on to dividing the rest of the students up. It will happen soon. We know parents want to plan.”

Palmerton resident Lisa Snell Kern suggested Wednesday be the day all students attend virtually instead of Friday to allow for a day of cleaning in between group one and group two being in the buildings. Frankelli said Friday is the day most districts in the area have chosen to go all virtual to accommodate Carbon Career & Technical Institute’s schedule. CCTI has students attending from all Carbon County school districts.

Dan Heaney, the district’s technology and curriculum director, showed examples Tuesday night of how Palmerton students would use the Schoology learning platform and view their classes during virtual days.

“It’s going to be much different from how things were in the spring,” Heaney said. “This is live instruction daily for each course, during that scheduled time. Students will attend in person or virtually via Schoology Conference.”

Parents could also opt for full-time virtual learning. Students would be enrolled in their school and assigned to a Palmerton teacher just as they would be if they were in the actual face-to-face school setting. Students would be able to see and hear teachers conduct instruction and participate in lessons just as they would if they were physically in the classroom.

The Blue Bomber Cyber Academy will be offered in partnership with eBridge Academy. Heaney said the classes are taught by certified Pennsylvania teachers.

“It is an option to free a student up to work at their own pace on their own time, but there is a common misconception that it’s less work or less of a commitment and that isn’t the case,” he said.

The full plan, as well as a consistently updated frequently asked questions page, can be found on Palmerton’s website. The frequently asked questions deal with things such as air flow in the buildings, cleaning, face coverings, meals, etc.

All students and employees must wear an approved face covering. The face coverings can be removed at recess, lunch, physical education class, bus stops, and scheduled face covering breaks, etc., when 6 feet of social distancing is maintained. Principals and teachers will schedule breaks throughout the day that are in accordance with the Pennsylvania Department of Health guidelines.