Trussville students in ‘safest place when in school’

In April, Trussville City Schools Superintendent Pattie Neill likened navigating the COVID-19 pandemic to sprinting through a marathon.

The analogies continue now that the 2020-2021 school year is underway.

“I call it building the plane while we’re flying it,” Neill said recently, laughing. “We have taken off and we are flying, and we’re doing very well. We did make adjustments in August. We don’t plan on major adjustments unless the health orders change or until Gov. [Kay] Ivey changes something on Oct. 2.”

Oct. 2 is the day Alabama’s mask and health order is set to end. Speaking a few weeks into this school year, Neill said the start has been “outstanding.” Students have been able to complete their lessons in a total virtual environment; in a staggered at home and in school option; and in school five days per week, during which handwashing is built into the daily schedule.

Because of total virtual and staggered options, the five-day-per-week program allows for 6-foot social distancing and limited numbers in various spaces. If one class has more students than space allows with social distancing, a learning lab is used for the remaining students. Auditoriums are used.

“The students are very resilient and adaptable,” Neill said. “They’re just happy to be in school for those who want to be in school. I’ve heard some great things about the Zoom teacher meetings. They’re enjoying that role as well. I think it’s a win-win.”

Teachers recently learned they had three additional workdays – when school is closed for students — built into the calendar. All teachers received $500 supplements for the extra hours training for this odd school year. A list of substitute teachers was compiled that is available on designated days throughout the year on a rotating basis to cover classes while teachers grade papers, upload lessons or reset their schedules.

“All of us were in brand new jobs in the month of August,” Neill said. “We thought we knew how to open a school year, including me. But we’ve never had the quite the, what we call the re-opening, that we had. We recognized that teachers said they needed more time to prepare.”

Neill said she’s learned that every possible safety measure that Trussville City Schools could put in place was worth it. The masks, social distancing and handwashing are all required. Porous materials in schools such as cloth beanbag chairs were removed to make way for all things plastic, tile and stainless steel. Electrostatic sprayers disinfect the schools nightly. Additionally, Plexiglas shields were installed across classroom tables. The school system purchased desk shields and face shields. Thousands of dollars of preventive equipment have been “worth every penny,” Neill said.

As the cooler months loom, when viruses seem to more easily spread, Neill said she has a “glimpse” of what the rest of the school year could look like.

“I believe students are in the safest place when they’re in school,” she said. “We’ve got the school buildings covered.”