Charleroi approves virtual start to school year
By TAYLOR BROWN
tbrown@yourmvi.com
Charleroi Area School District students will start the school year virtually next month.
Superintendent Dr. Ed Zelich announced his new recommendation for the beginning of classes last week after evaluating state data in regard to the coronavirus pandemic.
On Tuesday, school board directors unanimously approved the plan. It will bring students, divided into two groups, to school Sept. 8 and 9 to pick up supplies and meet their teachers in person.
Students will continue with virtual instruction until Oct. 2.
The decision is largely due to new data released by the American Academy of Pediatrics and Children’s Hospital Association, which shows a 90% increase in COVID-19 cases among children in the past several weeks. Another study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 1 in 3 children who are hospitalized because of the virus require treatment in an Intensive Care Unit.
About 30% of district students have already registered to begin the school year through the Charleroi Online Learning Academy, which will be operated under Google Classroom and will feature individual curriculum developed by district teachers.
“We have been studying data, looking at our region and what is happening in other districts surrounding us and believe this is the best decision for our district,” Zelich said. “We believe opening virtually will help us to better monitor the situation and keep our students, faculty and staff safe.”
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