Gateway officials extend online learning for another 2 weeks

Gateway schools will remain in remote learning through Jan. 15.

The announcement came through a letter to district parents authored by Superintendent Bill Short. It was posted to the district’s website Dec. 24.

“Based on the metrics and data associated with significant increases in covid-19 cases and positivity percentages, Allegheny County will remain in the ‘substantial’ level through the next two week, 14-day window,” wrote Short, referencing the state Department of Health’s “substantial level of community transmission” of covid-19.

State data shows Allegheny County has remained in that substantial level — an incidence rate of greater than or equal to 10% of 100,000 residents — for longer than a month. The DOH recommends schools adopt a full-remote learning model while in the “substantial” level.

The latest district announcement marks the district’s second extension of a remote learning model since Nov. 23. The first switch to online learning was expected to last only through Dec. 4, which was extended to Jan. 4 as cases continued to climb.

Students and staff resume instruction Jan. 4. The school district will close Jan. 18 to observe Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. The hybrid learning model is expected to start again Jan. 19.

“This extension will permit an appropriate number of days for those who may have been exposed to COVID-19 over the winter break to return to school without fear of impacting others,” Short wrote.

Brian Goppman, the district’s school board president, offered some words of encouragement for students eager to return to in-class instruction.

“Although we’re not out of the woods yet with the pandemic, if we continue to be safe, we can turn this ever-changing situation in our favor,” he said in an email. “Our students are the toughest and brightest. I know they’ll keep up the great work they’ve been doing and be ready to hit the ground running once they get back. Just a few more weeks, so let’s be safe.”