Baldwin-Whitehall schools end week with remote learning due to rise in covid cases, staffing issues

The Baldwin-Whitehall School District will shift to a remote learning plan for Thursday and Friday as a result of rising covid cases, district officials announced Wednesday.

There already was no school on Monday due to the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.

Superintendent Randal Lutz said the district expects to resume in-person learning on Tuesday.

“The reason for this change is related to high covid case counts in our schools for staff and students that exceed the guidance related to ‘Responding to a COVID-19 Outbreak in Schools’ from the (state) Department of Health, as well as a shortage of staff to safely deliver in-person instruction and services,” according to an alert from Lutz. “The District has continued to manage large numbers of illness coming out of the winter break.”

The remote days will follow the regular time schedule for each school with synchronous instruction.

”In some cases teachers are not available to teach remotely in a synchronous manner,” Lutz said. “In these instances, it is the expectation that directions will be provided by the teacher as well as updated resources being available on the Canvas platform.

“We also understand that all students cannot engage in lessons synchronously during a remote day due to circumstances outside of their control. Asynchronous resources will also be available.”

Steel Center vo-tech still in person

The Steel Center for Career and Technical Education is still open to in-person instruction.

However, students who are ill are encouraged to stay home.

Lutz said the district is “creating community-based bus transportation schedules with stops located within each neighborhood” for students to go to Steel Center.

Times and locations were to be communicated from the superintendent’s office Wednesday night. Students will be picked up and returned to those locations.

Lunches will be available at each school for all students from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday and Friday.

“The district has worked diligently to remain open for in-person instruction to the greatest extent possible,” Lutz said. “We are disappointed to have to make this decision and look forward to being in a better place for next week.”

More information about district activities is available at bwschools.net.