H EADLINES
Delta Variant Leaves
School Plans in Flux
E DUCATION
LEAH SNYDERMAN | JE CONTRIBUTING
WRITER successfully
prevented outbreaks. Also, Perelman will
practice physical distancing,
outdoor learning and eating,
as well as strict quarantining
aft er exposure.

“We continue to work
closely with our medical
advisory committee,” Head of
School Judy Groner said.

Th e Lower Merion School
District is asking for proof
of vaccination from students
to aid them in planning and
contact tracing.

Th e district will share its
fi nal plans with parents closer
to the start of the school
year. For now, masks are
being required at all summer
NOT TOO LONG AGO, hopes
were high for the new school year.

Vaccination rates were
rising and COVID cases were
dropping, and it looked like the
2021-2022 school year would
be back to “normal.”
However, with the new
delta variant more contagious
than previous mutations, and
cases on the rise again, school
districts are being forced to
think about what that means
for the start of the 2021-’22
academic year.

Because of how
quickly things change,
and since many schools
won’t be starting for
a few more weeks,
most districts are still
in the planning phase
and may be forced to
make changes on the
fl y. Many schools aren’t
even talking publicly
Perelman Jewish Day School students
about their plans at
learn under a tent.

this point.

Courtesy of Judy Groner
Last year, most
schools operated on a
hybrid model. Some students programs, regardless of vacci-
were virtual and others nation status.

attended in person. Masks
“We continue to ask parents/
were mandated, and quaran- guardians and staff to report
tine policies were strict.

any positive cases of COVID-19
For now, only those ages to the Student Health Services
12 and up are eligible for the Department,
using the
vaccine, so school districts are COVID-19 Healthline estab-
strategizing the best ways to lished last year,” said Amy
keep their younger students Buckman, director of school
safe. and community relations.

Perelman Jewish Day
Both Lower Merion and
School is requiring that faculty, Perelman are following guide-
students and staff be vacci- lines put out by the Centers for
nated when applicable. As there Disease Control and Prevention,
isn’t a federal or state policy Children’s
Hospital of
requiring staff or students be Philadelphia and their respective
vaccinated, the school has said counties. Because the guidelines
it is strongly encouraged.

are constantly changing, so, too,
But Perelman will require will district plans.

universal masking, which
See Schools, Page 28
was enforced last year and
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