BY MATT LINDSEY
North Country This Week

POTSDAM — Parents at Potsdam Central are being encouraged to transport their children to and from school in an effort to reduce the number of students riding on school buses.

Under new social distancing guidelines that allow for 3-foot spacing for much of the school day, school Potsdam Central school officials plan to transition middle school students to four days a week.

“When middle school students return to four days of instruction, the number of students will vary depending on the bus route,” according to PCS Superintendent Joann Chambers. “Transportation supervisor, Kevin Kingsley, has done his best to keep the capacity limited.”

All buses will be no more than 50% capacity, and some will have far fewer students than that, Chambers said.

“We will be encouraging parents to transport their children to school, if possible, and will also encourage students to walk or ride their bikes to school,” the super said.

The new school social distancing guidance reads, "Responsible parties should maximize the distance between students on school buses when possible. When safe, ventilation can be improved by opening windows. Responsible Parties should encourage parents/legal guardians to drop off or walk students to reduce density on buses."

All social distancing rules still apply.

“It's important to note that all students and the bus driver will wear face coverings at all times,” Chambers said. “Bus drivers will also keep windows open to improve air flow.”

Kindergarten students will return to full-day programming. To accommodate this, the school plans to hire an additional teacher to reduce class sizes.

At the elementary school, Chambers says officials placed student desks in the two cafeterias and on the stage, which will allow all students to sit 6 feet apart when eating.

“At the middle school, half of the students in any given lunch period enjoy recess while the other half of the group eats lunch. Then the two groups switch,” Chambers said. “This model allows for appropriate social distancing.”

At the high school, PCS seniors are allowed to leave campus for lunch if they have senior privileges.

Also, picnic tables are available so high school students can eat outside, Chambers said.

Students at any grade level can contact the school to discuss their child returning for in-person learning.