As CDC relaxes restrictions on vaccinated adults, schools prepare for the long haul

As CDC relaxes restrictions on vaccinated adults, schools prepare for the long haul

By Chloe Nouvelle

May 6, 2021

Despite the mask, more than 3 million Pennsylvanians are breathing a little easier because they’re fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is even loosening some restrictions.

But schoolchildren won’t see the same change anytime soon since there’s no vaccine for them yet.

A local principal prepares for the long haul.

Seventh and eighth graders from Brandywine Heights Area School District recorded this song for a virtual concert. That was a pandemic work-around since a live performance wasn’t possible. 

Robert Farina is Brandywine’s Intermediate and Middle School Principal. You can say he pulls double duty.

“I have a very wide gamut of students in my building, from age eight to age 14,” Farina says. 

This school year, Farina’s wide gamut of students have been hybrid–then virtual—then hybrid again. These days, most come to school four days a week and the majority of his staff is now vaccinated too. 

Despite that, Farina’s not letting his guard down. 

“One of the major concerns for everyone is, although adults are more vaccinated, students are not. There’s still always that risk of transmission,” Farina says. 

So, there’s still a no visitors policy here.

“All of our parent meetings, with the exception of emergency situations, those are all occurring virtually,” he says. 

And even that hallmark outdoor event, field day, will mean Brandywine’s students will only relay-race with faces they already see in class.

Mitigation efforts in school will continue until state and federal officials advise otherwise, he says.  

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