Greensburg Salem School District moving to remote-only classes as coronavirus cases rise

All Greensburg Salem School District schools are shutting their doors and moving to full remote classes Thursday, the district announced Wednesday.

The closure will last through Nov. 30.

The district’s decision was made due the rising number of coronavirus cases in schools and the community, according to the announcement. Three district students and two staff members tested positive this week, and several more are quarantining or awaiting test results.

Students will learn remotely, logging into their online classes during their regularly scheduled class times.

The district’s three elementary schools already closed this week due to three coronavirus cases among staff.

Superintendent Gary Peiffer said Greensburg mostly had been spared from the worst of the pandemic, until recently.

“It got where shutting down was really the only option,” Peiffer said.

In addition to safety concerns, the district has had trouble finding enough substitute teachers to replace the large number of staff members who need to quarantine, according to school board President Ron Mellinger. By Wednesday it was obvious the school would not be able to remain open.

“Today it all went haywire,” Mellinger said.

Students had been following a hybrid model, splitting their time between attending school in person and learning from home.

Not all students have access to online remote learning resources, according to Peiffer. Some don’t have computers. The district ordered laptops early in the pandemic, but these have been delayed until next year. Other students have computers, but lack reliable internet access.

The district doesn’t yet have a count of how many students are affected by these issues, Peiffer said. Students who can’t access online resources have been receiving instruction over the phone and receiving paper lesson packets with their schoolwork.

“It’s difficult, and it’s certainly not where we want to be in an emergency situation, Peiffer said.

Officials have yet to make a final decision about school athletics. Events and practices are cancelled through the weekend, and officials will reassess the situation on Monday.

Greensburg Salem students who attend the Central Westmoreland Career and Technology Center will continue to do so. However, they must come to and from Greensburg Salem High School themselves or get a ride to the center, according to the district.

Parents should contact their children’s teachers and principals for more information, according to the district.

The district’s regularly-scheduled Thanksgiving recess will be observed Nov. 26-30.

District officials could not immediately be reached for comment.