Schools in Pennsylvania to remain closed for 2 more weeks, Gov. Tom Wolf announces
All Centre County schools will remain closed for an additional two weeks, following an order from Gov. Tom Wolf.
On Monday, Wolf announced that all K-12 schools in the state will remain closed as officials monitor the coronavirus, or COVID-19. The initial two-week closure was to end next week, but as the virus continues to spread throughout the state, classes will be suspended until at least April 6.
“Protecting the health and safety of students, families, teachers and all employees who work in our schools is paramount during this national health crisis and we must continue our efforts to mitigate the spread of the virus,” Wolf said in a news release. “The number of positive cases increases daily and we’re seeing it spread to more counties. We must adhere to the social distancing guidelines. Extending the closure will help every community in its efforts to mitigate the spread.”
Last week, Centre County schools worked to implement optional online learning programs, but school officials in rural areas of the county were unsure how to make up for missed days in the classroom. Wolf’s order stated that schools would not face repercussions if they fail to meet the 180-day or school hour requirements.
On Monday, Wolf said he was unsure how the extended closure will affect schools’ graduation schedules. When it’s determined that students can return to school, administrators, teachers and other staff will be given two days to prepare classrooms, set up cafeterias, schedule transportation and arrange other business operations, Wolf said.
Online learning underway in some schools
In a letter sent to parents and guardians last week, SCASD Superintendent Bob O’Donnell said the district plans to launch its remote instruction plan. Parents, guardians and students were invited last week to pick up their laptop and any additional technology prior to the program’s launch.
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.”
Students at St. Joseph’s Catholic Academy in Boalsburg have been learning via online classes since March 16 when the campus closed.
“Our administration and faculty have collaborated to learn about Zoom meetings for classes and other instructional strategies platforms to enhance and enrich our teaching methods during this health crisis,” head of school Jennifer Mallett said in a news release. “We want our students to still feel connected to our school community.”
Challenges in area school districts
Bellefonte Area, Penns Valley Area, Bald Eagle Area and Philipsburg-Osceola Area school districts have not implemented formal online instruction.
“Our principals have offered a list of resources and activities for engagement for our parents and students should they choose to use them,” Superintendent Michelle Saylor said in an email last week. “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.
“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.
The Penns Valley Area School District has cited challenges to launching an online learning plan, particularly limited broadband access for many of its families.
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 last week in an email.
As a precaution, Penns Valley 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 could be taught to students grades K-12.
This story was originally published March 23, 2020 at 3:29 PM.
