While multiple scenarios are still in the mix, Lehighton Area School District is moving closer toward a formal return to school plan for 2020-21.

In preparation, Superintendent Jonathan Cleaver said in a letter to parents to Wednesday, the district is planning for both possibilities, in the school and at home, when it comes to where children will be located when receiving their education.

“We are preparing to offer in-person education for grades Pre-K through 12 on a daily basis,” Cleaver said. “At all levels, we are also preparing to offer a virtual learning model to our students. This delivery model will be improved in comparison to our original model as we have had time to prepare and plan for this type of virtual education. With this model our students will be able to physically see their classroom teacher and take part in the lessons as they would if they were actually sitting in the classroom.”

The district posted a video at https://tinyurl.com/ybteskdd that shows Ashley Lichtenwalner of the Lehighton Area Elementary Center teaching a kindergarten lesson using a Swivl robotic platform to record the lesson. With the Swivl, the robotic camera sits on a stand and the teacher wears a tracking device, which also picks up their audio. As the teacher moves around the classroom, the camera follows.

“There are a few different ways the district can use the Swivl,” Melissa Volcskai, principal of grades 3-5 at LAEC, said. “We can have a live Zoom streaming session so a student can log on and be with their class in real time. We can also record the lesson and post it on Canvas (the district’s learning management platform).”

Supplemental assignments would be uploaded to Canvas and graded by Lehighton teachers.

Volcskai said each grade level would have one Swivl.

“This educational delivery model is different from the online learning model followed during the mandated school closure,” Cleaver said. “Our goal is for our students to receive the same educational experience whether in-person or online.”