New Kensington-Arnold School District will keep its schools closed with its students learning remotely through almost mid-January.

The district announced it will continue remote instruction through Jan. 13. Acting Superintendent Jon Banko said students will return to schools on Jan. 14, as long as there is no significant increase in covid-19 cases or a more complete shutdown at the state level.

The district had students receiving instruction either fully remote or fully in school before it moved all students to remote learning beginning Nov. 20 until the district’s Thanksgiving break.

Classes are set to resume Tuesday.

The district said the decision to keep students remote was based on substantial spread of covid-19 in Westmoreland County and increasing transmission rates within the 15068 zip code.

Increased testing has impacted staffing and could significantly impact staffing upon returning from the Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks, according to the notice from Banko. There is also concern about the district being unable to enforce travel and gathering restrictions among its faculty, staff and students.

“The health and safety of all students, faculty, staff, and administration is a top priority of the board of school directors and myself,” Banko said in the notice. “While we believe that compliance across the school community has been exceptional since students returned to school, the outside factors that we will not be able to control while schools are closed for the holidays creates a significant concern.”

The district has a limited number of iPads and laptops available for students who need them. A request form is available on the district’s website. Devices are not guaranteed, and will be issued based on need if supply becomes an issue, according to the district.

A district-issued device is not required to participate in the district’s online school. The district says students are encouraged to use their own computers and tablets if they have them.

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)