Schools to remain closed

By JEFF STITT

jstitt@yourmvi.com

Educators and more than 1.7 million K-12 students across Pennsylvania learned their schools will remain shuttered for the remainder of the academic year as a result of an order handed down Thursday by Gov. Tom Wolf and the state education secretary.

Superintendents from the Mon Valley reacted to the order, which came as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, by letting students and families know how learning will occur for the remainder of the year and what seniors should expect for end-of-year-events such as prom and graduation ceremonies.

The order applies through the last day of the current academic year.

“While this was a critical step for us to take to protect as many people as possible, it was not an easy decision to make,” Wolf said.

He made the decision after consulting with Education Secretary Pedro Rivera and Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine, Wolf’s spokeswoman said.

The governor first closed schools for two weeks March 13, then tacked on another week before closing schools indefinitely.

Commencement, prom plans

Rivera said some districts are making plans for virtual commencement exercises. Decisions about how to handle graduations, which are made by local school districts, will depend on the extent of social distancing and stay-at-home direction as graduation season nears.

Charleroi Area School District Superintendent Dr. Ed Zelich said his primary concern right now is for the Class of 2020.

“We want them to know we are thinking about them and are putting contingency plans in place to show respect to them and their families for all of their effort. It will not go unnoticed,” he said.

Zelich said the district was aiming to hold commencement June 5, but is now looking at two tentative dates in July and August.

“We want to plan something for our seniors,” Zelich said. “They have gone through a lot during their education. … We want them to know we care about them.”

Elizabeth Forward Superintendent Dr. Todd Keruskin said administrators are evaluating plans for commencement and other activities.

“I feel bad for our seniors, I really do,” Keruskin said. “We’re going to continue to monitor the stay-at-home order and the social distancing order, and all of the end-of-the-year events that we do with our kids at the high school level, we’re going to continue to evaluate that.

“It’s hard to determine what May, June, July or August are going to bring for our kids.” 

South Allegheny Superintendent Dr. Lisa Duval said administrators are considering three possible dates — June 5, July 3 and Aug. 7 — for the graduation ceremony.

“Depending on the state of the closures and social allowances at that time, we will choose a date and hopefully have an actual graduation ceremony for our seniors,” she said. 

Duval said the prom is canceled, but administrators are “working to provide something for our students when it is safe to do so.”

Dr. Michele Dowell, Belle Vernon Area’s superintendent, wasn’t notified by the state Department of Education that school had been closed for the remainder of the year until after news outlets were already reporting it.

“I am sure, like me, you have a thousand questions. Since we were not given any warning that this decision was going to be made today, I do not have a lot of answers for you,” Dowell said.

She said the district’s prom will be moved to June 12.

“We do not know if the ban on social gatherings will be lifted, but we have the date reserved at the Historic Summit Inn,” she said, adding that graduation is slated for June 3 with June 24 set as an alternate date.

“I know that everyone has questions about retrieving their belongings from the school, tryouts for certain sports, and what will happen with all of the events that were scheduled,” Dowell said. “What I can tell you is that I am working with the high school administration to determine what we can do to celebrate our senior class. I know that they are missing out on a great deal with the closure of school. ”

BVA High School will post a survey on its website and social media accounts where students and parents can give input on how to handle end-of-the-year senior activities.

McKeesport Area School District administrators didn’t respond to requests for comment, but a district Facebook post from Thursday states commencement is slated for June 30. Instead of a prom, MASD is planning to hold a “senior celebration” organized by senior class officers June 25 at the Palisades in McKeesport. More details will be announced soon.

MASD seniors are invited to place senior yard signs on the high school’s front lawn.

“Make sure you practice social distancing while adding one and take a few pictures,” MASD said in a Facebook post. Parents commenting on the post said seniors or families that do not have yard signs can purchase them from the UPS Store in White Oak.

Serra Catholic High School Associate Principal Robert E. Childs said he is awaiting direction from the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh before making announcements about if and how events like commencement will occur.

“I know that you have questions about commencement, spring sports, etc.,” Childs wrote in a letter to parents Thursday. “I apologize but at this moment I have no further information to provide. As soon as we receive guidance/clarification, we will pass it along.”

He said because the Diocese is observing Holy Week, he doesn’t think guidance will come from church superiors until early next week.

Remote/distance learning

Thursday’s order means students will spend the rest of the year learning remotely through online learning platforms; packets, workbooks and other physical learning materials that do not require an internet connection or one-to-one device; or a combination of both.

Zelich wants to make it clear to students and families that school is not “out.”

“The brick-and-mortar schools are closed but our online learning and education is continuing,” Zelich said. “We are still engaging students, we are still teaching students, we are still feeding students and the most important thing is to continue building relationships and making those connections.”

Charleroi Area students are using Google classroom, and the school year will end June 5.

Moving forward through the remainder of the year, Zelich said it is important for students to continue to work hard and pay attention to grades.

“If students fail to participate in online learning, it is possible that they will be retained to the same grade level for the 2020-21 school year,” he said.

EF will continue virtual instruction days for the remainder of the school year, which Keruskin expects to end around the beginning of June. 

“We’re looking to adjust the school calendar a little bit,” Keruskin said. “The board will approve a new school calendar within the next two weeks.”

McKeesport Area, South Allegheny and BVA students will continue instruction through a combination of online learning and educational packets. In the near future, MASD will be issuing one school-owned one-to-one device per family so that all students within the district can have access to virtual learning. Arrangements are being made for students to be able to access the school’s internet connection if they do not have an internet connection at home, and more information is available on the district’s website.

South Allegheny’s last day of school is June 5 and BVA’s is June 3.

According to the district’s Facebook page, Monessen City School District students are learning via a combination of online and “pencil and paper” work.

“We realize that there are many questions relating to this closure (graduation, picking up person items, grades, etc.), but we will share a complete plan next week,” the district said in a Facebook post Thursday afternoon.

A Ringgold administrator did not respond to requests for comment Thursday.

The Associated Press and staff writers Taylor Brown and Jose Negron contributed to this report.