Monroeville's Divine Mercy Academy closes for 2 weeks after 3 test positive for covid-19

A Catholic school in Monroeville will move to remote learning for two weeks after learning three people there have tested positive for covid-19.

Divine Mercy Academy, located on Azalea Drive, announced the changes in a Monday news release. The move became effective Nov. 24. Students will return to in-person learning on Dec. 14.

The school is part of St. Bernadette Catholic Church and houses kindergarten through eighth-grade students.

School officials decided to reopen doors for all students and staff Aug. 27, according to the school’s reopening plan available on its website. Families had an option for a distance learning model, too.

“Divine Mercy Academy continues to follow all diocesan, local, state and federal health and safety directives, including wearing face coverings, handwashing and sanitizing, social distancing, self-screening and cleaning and disinfecting,” said the school’s news release.

The news release did not specify if the three people who tested positive are students or staff or a combination of both.

Angela Manchini, the school’s principal, said officials thought closing the school for two weeks was the best decision to make right now.

“Please join us in our continued prayers for those affected by covid-19,” she said in a statement.