Hempfield Area to extend cyber program to elementary grades

The Hempfield Area School District is making its cyber program available to all elementary grades.

In a letter dated May 15, Superintendent Tammy Wolicki said the program will be available to students from kindergarten through 12th grade. The program currently is open to grades six through 12. She noted some students use a blended approach with the cyber program, and that classes are taught by Hempfield teachers.

The expanded option will be offered during the 2020-21 school year.

The district also is preparing for a possible return to virtual learning in the fall.

To ensure that improvements are made to virtual learning for all students, regardless of whether they’re enrolled in the cyber program, parents are asked to fill out a 10-minute survey that asks questions based on two months of virtual learning. It also includes questions to see if parents are interested in enrolling in the cyber program.

“We realize there is much uncertainty regarding the impact of the coronavirus on the 2020-2021 school year,” Wolicki wrote. “We are considering modifications to our practices to minimize large groups of students and to promote social distancing.”

Further communications will be distributed once details are available.

Questions regarding the cyber program can be directed to Matthew Conner, assistant superintendent for elementary education, at connerm@hasdpa.net, or to Mark Gross, assistant superintendent for secondary education, at grossm@hasdpa.net. The deadline for filling out the survey is May 29.