Lawrence tweaks Covid classroom protocols

The one constant with the coronavirus pandemic is the continuous changes and earlier in April the New York State Department of Health made more changes as it issued new guidance for school reopening plans.

Focused on transmission rates of Covid-19 and what communities can tolerate regarding risk, the changes include reducing the distance for singing and wind instruments in schools from 12 feet to six feet; going from the six-foot distance in most classrooms to three feet; and reducing the need for desk shields in kindergarten through third grade.

Lawrence School District used a survey to uncover the comfort levels of parents and teachers. The survey, which had to be completed by April 19, steered changes that went into effect a week later.

“We are going forward with the proposed changes, first singing, then with wind instruments,” said Lawrence Superintendent Dr. Ann Pedersen, adding that most teachers are comfortable with the changes. “Maintaining the six foot distance in the classroom was overwhelming, but removal of the desk shield in kindergarten to third grade for instruction is being done as the teachers felt even with their masks you are missing nuances of social interaction and they wanted a level of normalcy.”

By the numbers, teachers were 54 percent strongly in favor of reduction in distance for winging and wind instruments; 81 percent for maintaining the six feet distance in a majority of classrooms and 52 percent in favor of keeping the desk shield.

“When you drill down to the classroom level it will be how you feel about it,” Pedersen said, “if the teacher says yes the shields will be taken down. Teachers can opt out. For eating (when masks are off) the shields will be up as there is still eating in the classroom.”

With the parent survey respondents had 58 percent strongly supported the singing and wind instrument revision; 75 percent backed the maintaining the six-foot distance in most classrooms and 60 percent for removing the desk shields.

Outgoing Lawrence Teachers Association President Lori Skonberg noted members of the Reopening Committee also support the changes. “The committee felt there was a need for a little bit of status quo with the six feet distance, especially in upper grades,” she said. “In the lower grades we left it up to the teacher or parent what the teacher or parent feels comfortable with.”

Pedersen said that the district expects to maintain all the other elements of its reopening plan through the end of the school year. Looking ahead, she anticipates state guidance to change for the next school year.

In Hewlett-Woodmere, officials said that the district has been successful in keeping its schools open since September, and has endured only three short-term closures to date. The district also boasts state-of-the-art ventilation and filtration systems in all five schools.

The current reopening plan took roughly three months for development and consensus, officials said, noting that the new state guidance still requires collaboration with stakeholders regarding any changes to the plan.

Musical performing groups at Woodmere Middle School and Hewlett High School have transitioned to the six-foot rule, but practice outdoors whenever possible, officials said, adding that with less than two months of school, the school district does not plan to remove the barriers or institute any other significant changes prior to the end of the school year. When new state guidance is received the district will move forward, officials said.

Have an opinion on Lawrence protocol changes? Send letter to jbessen@liherald.com.