‘There is not a script to follow.’ Centre County schools face uncertainty with COVID-19 closures
Gov. Tom Wolf’s order to close all K-12 schools aims to mitigate the spread of coronavirus, but the closure has left some Centre County districts unsure how to educate students remotely.
As the State College Area School District prepares to launch its optional online learning program next week, schools in rural areas of the county are working to implement remote instruction plans to make up for missed days in the classroom. Though Wolf’s order stated that schools would not face repercussions if they fail to meet the 180-day or school hour requirements, some officials don’t know how to educate kids effectively while abiding by state and federal guidelines.
Under Wolf’s order, schools are set to reopen March 30. With the statewide shutdown announced this week, however, students could be out of session even longer.
State College
In a letter sent to parents and guardians Monday, SCASD Superintendent Bob O’Donnell said the district hopes to launch its remote instruction plan next week.
“We are assessing the needs for Chromebooks among our elementary students,” O’Donnell wrote. “Additionally, we know some of our secondary students might have left their Chromebooks in school prior to spring break. We are prepared to provide a Chromebook to any student who needs one.”
Any computer — laptop, tablet or iPad — will be compatible with the online program, and if a household is without internet access, the district has set up cellular hotspots that can be accessed by calling SCASD IT Support at 231-7743 or by emailing itsupport@scasad.org.
The district also noted that Comcast has its altered coverage requirements to improve local internet access.
In order for a household to qualify, it must be in a Comcast serviceable area, receive state and/or federal assistance, not have any prior level of Xfinity internet service or within the past 90 days or have any outstanding Comcast balance less than a year old.
All assignments and activities will be optional, O’Donnell said in a follow-up letter sent Thursday.
“The reason we are unable to move forward with requiring students to participate is that we would be violating federal law that dictates meeting the needs of all students,” he wrote. “If not every student can engage equitably with remote learning, then we cannot proceed with required lessons. Required participation also conflicts with the cyber stipulations added to Gov. Wolf’s edict to shut down.”
Bellefonte
The Bellefonte Area School District has not implemented formal online instruction, Superintendent Michelle Saylor said in an email.
“Our principals have offered a list of resources and activities for engagement for our parents and students should they choose to use them,” Saylor said. “Although it looks on the surface like a simple decision to provide online learning, it is actually very complicated.”
Participation in the program is not mandatory, but the list of resources includes free reading, math, social studies, science, writing, art, movement and language activities for students in grades K-12.
Saylor said the district has the hardware to provide students with a device for online learning, but not all kids have internet access.
“We continue to explore our options and, like other districts in our region, are trying to navigate the difficult constraints of federal regulations,” Saylor said.
Bellefonte will continue to update its website with information pertaining to school closures and COVID-19.
“This is a rapidly changing scenario; guidance and information is continually changing,” she said. “We are in ongoing communication with the state and other experts and are doing the best we can to continue to support the health and wellness of our community.”
Penns Valley
The Penns Valley Area School District has not launched an online learning plan, in part because not every child has internet access and the district does not know how long the school closures will last.
Currently, the district is working to develop a calendar to accommodate any necessary makeup days in the event that the federal government will require schools to meet the 180 day requirement, Penns Valley Community Relations Director Nate Althouse wrote in an email.
“What is the anticipated duration of this closure?” Althouse wrote. “That’s the biggest question. Knowing how long we are going to be physically out of our school will determine how we evolve the planning process ... the preparation for that scenario looks a lot different than if we are out eight weeks or for the duration of the school year.”
As a precaution, Penns Valley has started to develop a plan for professional development to educate staff and faculty members on how to deliver effective online instruction. The district is also planning ways to provide equal internet access to all of its students while brainstorming how a program will be able to taught to students grades K-12.
Althouse said the district is planning ways to provide safe access to Penns Valley school buildings as a solution to broadband concerns, but he added that officials must consider planning transportation programs that also meet the guidelines of social distancing.
“We fully expect that if our students and staff will be sequestered for longer than originally anticipated, we will have the resources for our students to continue their education — resources that meet their needs and can be delivered effectively by our teachers,” Althouse said.
Bald Eagle Area
Bald Eagle Area School District interim Superintendent Joseph Clapper said the district is working to support learning while buildings remain closed.
BEA has not launched a mandatory online instruction plan, but while schools remain closed the district is encouraging students to utilize online resources and their school textbooks to continue learning.
“Assignments, websites and projects will not be required or graded,” Clapper said in an email. “These activities are meant to provide optional opportunities for student learning while school is closed.”
In a letter sent to parents and guardians, the district said it hopes to open March 30 and will continue to update its website and social media with additional information.
“In our lifetimes, we have never experienced events such as these,” Clapper said. “There is not a script to follow or Cliffs Notes to read.”
Philipsburg-Osceola
Philipsburg-Osceola Area School District has not announced plans for an online learning program, but at last week’s school board meeting Superintendent Gregg Paladina said the district would have to consider ways to provide internet and technology access to every student before implementing any mandatory program.
This story was originally published March 20, 2020 at 6:00 AM.
