Coronavirus surge forces Westmoreland schools to decide on in-person, fully remote learning

Under guidelines from the state departments of education and health, school districts in counties with a “substantial” rate of community coronavirus spread are advised to revert to fully remote classes. The decision, however, rests with school districts.

The county on Friday marked a second week of “substantial” coronavirus transmission levels — with at least 100 cases per 100,000 residents — triggering a state recommendation for all schools in the county to switch to full remote learning. The county’s positivity rate among those who have been tested for infection with the virus has increased to about 7.5%, up from 5% at the beginning of October.

Here is what Westmoreland County school districts are doing:

Belle Vernon Area: Kindergarten and first grade students will continue to attend in-person four days per week. All other students returned to the district’s hybrid model of two days in-person and three days of remote learning. The hybrid model will remain in place through Dec. 23. If the county has moved back into the “moderate” level of virus cases, the district will resume its four days per week in-person instruction model with the intent to resume five day in-person classes at the start of the third nine-week period.

Burrell: The district remains open for students who choose to attend in-person classes. Parents can choose to have their children attend all virtual classes. As of last week, between 67% and 83% of students were attending in-person classes depending upon building. No decision has been made on changing the instruction model.

Derry Area: The district closed schools Oct. 12 and shifted to full-time remote learning after five workers tested positive for covid-19. The closure was expected to last a week, but it was extended through Oct. 30. According to Superintendent Eric Curry, no decision has been made on how instruction will be handled beginning Nov. 2, but the school board is expected to discuss the matter at its meeting Thursday.

Franklin Regional: The district is continuing its hybrid model, with students attending classes two days per week and learning remotely for three days. No decisions have been made regarding a change, but the school board will meet Nov. 9 and could make changes.

Greater Latrobe: The district will return to full-time remote instruction Nov. 4. Superintendent Georgia Teppert said the district will finish the current week with in-person instruction so teachers and families can prepare. Teppert said the district will use remote instruction for at least two weeks while monitoring county transmission levels and checking with the district’s medical panel.

Greensburg Salem: The district is continuing with a hybrid format, including students learning in person and virtually with an option for complete remote instruction, according to Superintendent Gary Peiffer.

Hempfield Area: The school board voted Monday to remain with a hybrid model that has elementary students attending in-person classes full-time and middle and high school students alternating between in-person and virtual classes.

Jeannette: The district is continuing with full-time in-person instruction and virtual learning for students who choose that route because of a low infection rate in the district. Superintendent Matthew Jones said there have been two positive cases of the virus and no active cases.

Kiski Area: The district remains open for hybrid in-person instruction that allows students to attend school in person two days a week. The district had been planning to offer the option to attend in person four days a week starting in the second quarter, but Superintendent Tim Scott said it is delaying that option as officials monitor the county and district data. Meanwhile, families with concerns about the hybrid plan can move their students to a 100% online option at any time.

Ligonier Valley: The district was following a hybrid instructional schedule that will end this week, with all students moving to full-time online instruction beginning Monday. All high school students received remote instruction on Friday. The district closed the high school that day for deep cleaning after two students who were attending in-person classes there on Thursdays and Fridays tested positive for the coronavirus.

Monessen: The district will remain in the hybrid model of in-person and online learning that started Oct. 12 after beginning the school year fully remote. The school board has a public information meeting scheduled Nov. 4, with the next regular meeting on Nov. 10.

Mt. Pleasant Area: School board members voted Oct. 26 to remain in the hybrid model because of the surge in virus cases in the county. Superintendent Timothy Gabauer said the decision postpones a plan to hold in-person classes four days per week. Gabauer said the district will conduct additional training for teachers on Nov. 4 regarding online teaching and will revisit plans for in-person classes when the county moves out of the substantial transmission category.

New Kensington-Arnold: The district will move to fully remote learning for the week of Nov. 2. Schools are closed Nov. 3 for the general election, and Superintendent Jon Banko said the district will take advantage of the shortened week to comply with state recommendations for closing schools to protect student and community safety. The district intends to return to fully in-person instruction the week of Nov. 9 unless there is a significant change in county or community infection rates.

Norwin: The district will continue with its hybrid model, with students in class two days per week and in virtual classes the other three days. The move to fully reopen schools has been postponed until at least Nov. 18, according to Superintendent Jeff Taylor. The district’s middle school was closed two days this week because of virus cases.

Penn-Trafford: According to Superintendent Matt Harris, the district will remain open under its current model unless the state mandates fully remote classes. School board members are to discuss a hybrid model for the high school at their Nov. 2 meeting. The district has closed individual schools because of virus cases and will continue to do so if needed.

Southmoreland: The last day for in-person instruction for students was Tuesday as officials move to all-virtual learning starting Friday, according to Superintendent Vincent Mascia. The hybrid model of instruction will resume after the county is placed in the “moderate” category or if the school board votes to end all-virtual instruction at its Nov. 12 meeting.

Yough: Students were to move to all-virtual classes Wednesday, scuttling plans announced last week to close one of the school buildings for five days after a staff member tested positive for the coronavirus. Superintendent Janet Sardon said a return to in-person classes will depend upon the county’s level of virus transmission.