Woodland Hills School District shifts to remote learning the rest of the month due to covid cases, related issues

Woodland Hills School District is moving to virtual learning for the rest of the month due to rising covid cases and related issues, district officials announced Thursday.

Teachers and building administration will still need report to their buildings each day while the district is in virtual learning.

The shift was decided by Woodland Hills’ Covid Response Unit, which consists of school board members, administrators and district health advisors.

An alert was posted on the district’s website alerting families of the change.

“The number of documented cases in Allegheny County is approaching 5,000 per day,” the notice reads. “The Omicron variant of COVID-19 is highly transmissible, and we’re seeing rates of transmission amongst our scholars, faculty and staff that are concerning.”

Other issues cited in the announcement besides covid cases include “the ability for the district to provide necessary transportation for scholars, the ability to have appropriate staff coverage in our buildings, and the well-being of our scholars, staff and families.”

Officials said teachers will conduct classes from their classrooms while students are expected to log on for instruction at home.

Parents and guardians are encouraged to reach out to their building principals if their students don’t have their Chromebooks.

Extracurricular activities, including athletics, will continue with the recently implemented policy limiting spectators to two per participant, officials said.

“We will advise families of our next steps during the beginning of the week of Jan. 24,” the notice reads. “The Woodland Hills School District is committed to the health and safety of its students, staff and their families.

“We will continue to monitor cases in our district and in Allegheny County, and we will provide updates as warranted.”