Penn-Trafford closes middle school, Harrison Park Elementary for the week

Penn Middle School and Harrison Park Elementary in the Penn-Trafford School District will be closed through Friday after students at each school tested positive for the coronavirus.

Students will receive remote instruction during that time.

Penn-Trafford Superintendent Matthew Harris said Monday the closures are in keeping with covid-19 pandemic guidelines set forth by the state health and education departments. The middle school recorded four new cases and Harrison Park had two.

“The number of cases within Westmoreland County is alarming,” said Harris.

According to the district’s covid-19 case tracker, as of 4 p.m. Monday, there were 13 active cases among all district schools — defined as those confirmed as positive within the most recent 14-day period. That included nine students and four staff members.

There were 78 inactive cases — those who are 14 days beyond the onset of symptoms of the illness and are no longer considered contagious.

“Our long-term plan is for schools to remain open, as we know students learn best with in-person instruction,” Harris wrote in a letter to parents and staff posted on the district website.

But, he said, in light of a recent surge of positive cases in the county, all district schools will be closed, with full remote instruction provided to students, Dec. 21-23 and Jan. 4-8.

In-person lessons are expected to resume on Jan. 11.

Meanwhile, Harris said, “This closure will help ensure the health and safety of students/staff and will give us time to accurately assess cases, contact trace and issue quarantine orders.”