Highlands moving all students to remote learning

Highlands School District will move all students to full remote instruction beginning Dec. 1 and continuing through Jan. 15, the district announced Monday.

All extracurricular activities and sports will be suspended during that time.

The announcement comes a week after the district closed its middle school through the Thanksgiving break because of covid-19 cases among students and staff.

The district’s Task Force for Reopening Schools made the decision when it met Monday to review recent data related to the influx of covid-19 cases in Allegheny County. The task force also discussed the state Department of Education’s recommendation that school districts in Allegheny County move to full remote learning because of the county having a substantial level of virus transmission.

Students will be told to take all school supplies home with them on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The district said its goal is to return to a hybrid model or more in-person instruction for the start of the second semester.

At the start of the school year, families could enroll their children in the district’s hybrid program, which saw students separated into two groups, each in schools two days a week and remote the other three days, with all students remote on Fridays, or opt for a fully online program.

Students currently in the district’s online program will continue as normal, the district said. Students moving from the hybrid model to full remote will participate as they did on their remote learning days.

The district’s holiday vacation begins with a half-day for students on Dec. 23, with classes scheduled to resume Jan. 4.

“During the holiday season, we ask that you remain diligent with following Allegheny County’s most recent advisory so that our students and staff can return to in-person teaching and learning as quickly as possible after the holiday break,” the district said in a notice to families. “This includes avoiding any social gatherings and outings with extended family and friends and wearing face coverings at all times.

“If possible, avoid traveling over the holiday season, and if you do, consider quarantining for 14 days upon your return if you’ve traveled to one of the identified hot spots.”

The district’s task force will meet after the holiday season to review covid data.