From staff reports
Four area school districts have announced plans for remote instruction as a result of the increasing numbers of COVID-19 cases in the state.
Here is a rundown:
Forest Area
Hetrick cited the state Department of Health’s determination that portions of the district are in the “substantial” level of COVID-19 transmission as the reason behind the decision.
Hetrick said the district will reassess the situation after Dec. 4.
She said students should log on to their first period class by 8 a.m. Monday or the time specified by their teacher.
Completed class materials will be picked up and new materials and meals for those who have opted to receive them will be delivered for all students, including those who were previously scheduled for remote learning on Tuesday, about three hours after regular morning bus time at the regular bus stop.
Venango Technology Center students also will receive remote instruction, and students should log on as instructed by their teachers.
Allegheny-Clarion Valley
Allegheny-Clarion Valley School District will stay on the distance-learning model through Friday, Dec. 4, according to Superintendent David McDeavitt.
The school district had planned to return to face-to-face instruction on Monday, but with the recent change in Clarion County’s COVID-19 designation from moderate to substantial, the state departments of health and education have recommended school districts use remote learning to slow the spread of the virus, McDeavitt said.
Clarion and Venango counties are among 38 counties in the state to be listed in the substantial category.
Teachers and staff will report to their classrooms Monday morning to access their supplies and teaching materials.
All athletics and extracurricular programs remain canceled.
The school district has received a waiver to allow alternative meal service programs to continue during the extended closure of schools.
Families will find forms to sign up for the breakfast and lunch meals online at the district’s website and Facebook page. Families may opt in for either “Home Meal Delivery Service” or “Curbside Meal Pickup.”
The forms should be filled out by Sunday to allow the district to prepare for the program.
Redbank Valley
Redbank Valley School District will move to remote instruction for all students beginning Monday, with an anticipated return to in-school instruction on Dec. 1, according to a letter that was sent to parents from Superintendent John R. Mastillo.
He said the district is repsonding to the recommendations of the state Department of Health and the state Department of Education as a result of the increased number of COVID-19 cases in the community.
The district, Mastillo said, will monitor cases over the next two weeks to determine if remote instruction will need to continue beyond Dec. 1.
Sports teams participating in playoff competition may continue practice and competition until playoff eligibility concludes, Mastillo said. All other athletics and extracurricular activities have been postponed until further notice.
Clarion-Limestone
Clarion-Limestone Area School District next week will go to remote learning on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
A decision on what learning model to continue with will take place at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday during the school board’s meeting at the high school.