Greater Latrobe students heading back to classrooms after 2 weeks learning at home

Students at Greater Latrobe School District will head back to the classroom Monday after completing two weeks of full-time remote instruction.

The school board voted unanimously to return to a blended instructional model, where students may choose either to receive in-person lessons five days per week or to continue with full-time remote learning at home.

Greater Latrobe moved from the blended model to full-time remote instruction on Nov. 2, after transmission of the coronavirus in Westmoreland County had reached a state-defined “substantial” level — at least 100 cases per 100,000 people — for two consecutive weeks.

Superintendent Georgia Teppert recommended the district resume in-person classes, in part, after the county finished the week ending Nov. 6 just barely improving to a “moderate” transmission level of 99.8.

State education and health officials have recommended waiting for two weeks of new coronavirus statistics before changing instructional modes.

But Teppert said the shift back to lessons in a classroom setting was warranted “after reviewing our school district’s number of positive (coronavirus) cases and discussions with our school solicitor and local medical physicians.”

Greater Latrobe reported Tuesday that there were five active coronavirus cases in the district, people who are contagious and quarantined — including one student and three staff members at the senior high and one additional staffer at the junior high.

There were 51 inactive cases: those who are more than 10 days beyond the onset of illness and no longer contagious.

Vo-tech student plans

District students who attend Eastern Westmoreland Career and Technology Center part of the day will follow that school’s hybrid schedule that alternates in-person and online instruction.

Technology center students who have passing grades and their own transportation to the senior high may complete the online portion of their instruction at home; otherwise, they’ll report to the high school library for online technology center lessons.

Several school board members noted students learn best with in-person instruction.

They expressed confidence that district administrators will take necessary precautions to safeguard against possible spread of the virus among students and staff.

What the school board said

Board member William Palmer said he’s particularly concerned that special education students aren’t responding well to remote instruction.

“My understanding is they’re struggling more than most,” he said.

Merle Musick said classroom instruction is essential for all district students. “For their emotional health, they need this.”

Heidi Kozar also supported the return to classrooms although she expressed concern about maintaining social distancing for secondary students moving between rooms during the school day.

Board Vice President Steven LoCascio expressed frustration that, while the district closes its schools during the rise in local coronavirus cases, local restaurants and retail stores remain open.

“Nothing else closed, nothing else changed,” he said.

Cathy Sarraf urged all residents to follow social distancing, to help keep local coronavirus cases under control and allow schools to stay open.

“Everybody plays a role in keeping the kids in school,” she said.

Five audience members voiced approval of students resuming in-person lessons.

“You’re making the right decision tonight,” Matt Pergar of Unity told the board. “Stay the course.”