2 Hempfield Area schools closed as coronavirus cases rise

Two schools in the Hempfield Area School District are closed as coronavirus cases continue to increase among staff and students.

Hempfield Area High School and West Point Elementary School were closed Monday and will remain closed Tuesday, according to Superintendent Tammy Wolicki. The closure will last through Dec. 1 in conjunction with the Thanksgiving break.

A covid-19 tracker posted on the district’s website shows that from Nov. 6-20, eight students tested positive at the high school and one staffer at West Point elementary.

In letters to parents, Wolicki noted that, at West Point, several staffers tested positive over the weekend, which resulted in others being identified as close contacts, requiring them to quarantine. Last week, Wolicki reported similar struggles among staffers at the high school. Those numbers have not yet been updated on the tracker.

Teachers at both schools will provide virtual instruction while the buildings are closed. Students must engage in real-time learning to be considered present.

At the high school, students who attend the Central Westmoreland Career and Technical Center may attend their programs virtually or in person. Athletes must look to coaches for information regarding practices during the closure and holiday break, which runs from Nov. 25-30, according to the school calendar.

Students needing technology support, students with the Hempfield Area Cyber Academy needing to pick up materials and those picking up free meals can do so between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the high school Monday and Tuesday.

At West Point, students who need to pick up a Chromebook or free meals can do so between 9 and 11 a.m. Monday and Tuesday. Students are also able to use personal devices for online learning.

Across the district, 18 covid-19 cases were reported during the period between Nov. 6-20, according the tracker.

In addition to the high school and West Point cases, positive tests include one student at Fort Allen Elementary School, one student and one staffer at West Hempfield Elementary School, one staffer at Maxwell Elementary School, one student and one staffer at Harrold Middle School and three people among administrators, bus drivers, maintenance and food service workers.

Presumptive cases include one student at Stanwood Elementary School, three students at the high school, one student at Harrold, two students at West Hempfield Middle School and one student at Wendover Middle School. There are no schools in the district that don’t have positive or presumptive cases.