Norwin School Board to consider move to fully remote learning

The Norwin School Board will hold a special meeting at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday to discuss moving to all remote classes as a result of the state’s new guidelines for districts amid the recent surge in covid-19 cases.

Norwin teaches its 5,300 students in a hybrid manner, with students in class two days a week and receiving remote instruction the additional three days.

Any possible changes in the instructional model will be announced Wednesday, said district spokesman Jonathan Szish.

The board and administration also will discuss the state Department of Health’s requirement that schools in counties with two consecutive weeks of substantial community transmission of coronavirus submit a form to the education department by 5 p.m. Nov. 30 if they choose to provide in-person instruction while following safety requirements.

The health department in August recommended that schools in counties with substantial community transmission implement a fully remote instructional model. Westmoreland County has had that label for two consecutive weeks.

Penn-Trafford announced Tuesday that it will move to full remote instruction from Dec. 1 through Dec. 4, and reopen on Dec. 7. That closure will give the district time to assess cases, contact trace and issue quarantine orders.

Norwin’s decision to start the school year in a hybrid manner this fall was opposed by large group of parents who wanted students in school five days a week.

Superintendent Jeff Taylor said last month that the district would return to full classes on Nov. 4, but that was postponed indefinitely because of the spread of coronavirus.

Norwin has had 78 students and staff test positive for the virus since the school year began, including 13 students and staff who notified the district of their test results on Monday.

In the North Huntingdon-Irwin-North Irwin area, the number of confirmed covid-19 cases has increased each week by at least 10% since late October, including a 22% jump from Nov. 2 to 9.