Amherst Schools: Teacher return dates, virtual open houses set in build-up to first day

AMHERST — A plan to start school Aug. 27 with about three-quarters of students reporting to Amherst school buildings and the remainder learning at home was approved Monday by the Board of Education. "No one has a crystal ball in terms of how this thing will unfold," Superintendent Steven Sayers said, briefing board members. He promised to make 2020-21 a "positive and productive" year for students despite the hardships imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Sayers said he is impressed by how teachers and staff are operating in the face of adversity, and that they'll be expected to model optimism and hope in a tough time. "There's enough doom and gloom out there. And in my opinion, we don't need any more of that," Sayers said. Staffing for the district's in-person and online offerings was set to be completed Tuesday, with new teacher orientation Thursday. Amherst is getting an earlier start than many other area school districts. Workers will report for meetings Aug. 17 and 18, with seminars on how to teach online courses running from Aug. 21 to 24. Building, department, grade level and team meetings will follow the next two days. The school doors won't open this year for open houses in Amherst — instead, virtual open house videos will be released to the community Aug. 21. Kindergarten screenings will be held Aug. 20, 21 and 24. Chromebooks will be handed out to all Nord Middle School and Amherst Junior High families Aug. 20 and 21, and to Powers Elementary and Steele High School students Aug. 24 and 25. That's the plan for the moment, but as Molnar said, with the pandemic "everything is a moving target" and subject to change. He said district officials realize there's a possibility that at some point this year all classes will have to move online if coronavirus cases spike. Schools are leaning on Lorain County Public Health Commissioner David Covell for guidance about how to avoid spread of the disease. Sayers said he is grateful for Covell's weekly briefings that have informed decisions on everything from school nurses to sports. "It is so much appreciated," he said. "We're educators. We're not public health experts. We're going to defer, it makes sense for us to defer to the Lorain County health commissioner for guidance on health issues." There are still plenty of questions to answer before the first bell rings. Among those voiced Monday was how special education students will get the support they need this year, especially those learning online. Sarah Walker, director of student services, said intervention specialists and therapists are lined up to help both remotely and in person. "While services look a little different in the virtual world ... we're going to be meeting with families and find out what works best for them, and we're going to make that work," she said. The Board of Education voted on contracts to continue offering before- and after-school programs despite the pandemic. Powers Elementary Principal Brian Teppner was tapped to oversee the Comet Kids Club. School security was also a concern for board member Ron Yacobozzi. "This whole crazy world we're living in" has had a psychological impact on some people, he said, asking for school staff and Amherst police officers to be on heightened alert this fall. Contact Jason Hawk at (440) 329-7122 or news@lcnewspapers.com.