What will classrooms look like for Hempfield students going back for in-person instruction?

HEMPFIELD TOWNSHIP, Pa. — It wasn’t easy to devise a back-to-school plan for the largest school district in Westmoreland County, but Hempfield has it pretty much nailed down.

While still offering a full-time cyberschool option, the district is still bringing in-person instruction back.

“Every building is limited with the physical space, and we’re trying to make sure providing small group lessons in large spaces so you can still have that social distancing,” Superintendent Tammy Wolicki said.

Classrooms will look small and spacious.

Elementary kids will be coming back in a full-time brick-and-mortar capacity while middle and high school students will start with a hybrid model, alternating days remotely and in person.

And technology is all a part of the teaching.

“The days when they are not at school physically, they will be able to use the school-issued Chromebooks to access the instruction in the classroom and can view it in real time,” Wolicki said.

Hempfield has thought of everything from the sanitizing stations, the tape on the floor and even the need for ketchup packets instead of bottles.

The district has also put together structure for their special needs kids, putting individual sensory boxes together and even clear face shields for hearing-impaired students.

“Then also trying to utilize a button that would have a picture of their PCA or paraprofessional or teacher so the teacher can wear it and make a relationship with their students,” Special Education Supervisor Darla Bryant said.

The district plans on starting on time, which is Aug. 27. The board will vote on a final plan Monday. 

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