All schools in Pennsylvania to close for 10 days as coronavirus cases grow statewide
Following an order from Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf, all Centre County school districts will be closed for 10 business days, starting Monday.
On Friday, Wolf announced that all K-12 state schools will shut down as officials monitor coronavirus, or COVID-19. After 10 days, the state will reevaluate and decide whether continued closure is necessary.
On Tuesday, the State College Area School District announced that classes, sports and activities were canceled for next week. State College’s Our Lady of Victory Catholic School and St. Joseph’s Catholic Academy in Boalsburg had also planned to be closed next week as students attend classes virtually.
SCASD announced that the district is working on a remote learning plan that could begin March 23.
Bellefonte, Philipsburg-Osceola, Penns Valley and Bald Eagle area school districts planned to remain open but will now close until further notice.
“We understand that these are trying times and recognize the impact of the coronavirus on our students and communities,” Wolf said in a statement. “First and foremost, my top priority as governor – and that of our education leaders – must be to ensure the health and safety of our students and school communities.”
Some area schools and universities have opted to teach students online; however, BEA and PV said last week that option is unlikely due to broadband inaccessibility for all students.
In a statement, P-O Superintendent Gregg Paladina said the district will cease providing services to all children and students, beginning Friday at 6 p.m. School personnel and students are prohibited from entering school facilities.
“Thank you, stay safe and know that our thoughts are with you during these unprecedented times,” Paladina said.
Wolf said no district will be penalized if it fails to meet the 180 day or school hours requirements.
“The Department of Education will work with intermediate units and other stakeholders to support school districts with any continuity of learning plans they may be pursuing,” Wolf said.
Prior to the announcement, the Department of Agriculture issued a waiver to allow eligible schools to serve meals to low-income students in a non-congregate setting during the closure. The state said it will assist schools in making those plans.
SCASD will begin its grab and go breakfast and lunch program next week at three State College locations.
As of Friday afternoon, there are 35 presumptive positive cases and six confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Pennsylvania. No cases have been reported in Centre County.
This story was originally published March 13, 2020 at 3:37 PM.
