Hempfield elementary school temporarily closed due to covid cases

A Hempfield elementary school is closed the rest of the week due to covid-19, according to district officials.

West Point Elementary School will reopen Monday after one student and one staffer reported positive covid tests, according to a letter from Superintendent Tammy Wolicki. Students will participate in remote learning Thursday and Friday.

This is the third Hempfield school that was temporarily shuttered this week due to covid cases. Both Fort Allen and West Hempfield elementary schools closed Monday.

Hempfield has been following guidance released last month by the state’s Department of Education that says a school’s closure cannot be less than the recommended number of days if served by the state’s health department. The number of days a school is required to be closed is based on school size and community spread.

Prior to the guidance being released, Hempfield schools shuttered for one day for cleaning and contact tracing. Now, schools are typically closed for three days if cases are reported.

According to an online covid tracker, there are currently five active cases in the district, four students and one staffer. In addition to the West Point cases, two are at Hempfield Area High School and there is one each at Maxwell and Stanwood elementary schools. Nine district staffers are also quarantining after being identified as close contacts.

In all, there have been 54 positive cases in the district since Jan. 1. Of those, 17 were staff and 37 were students.

Technology support will be available to West Point students between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the high school. Students are also able to pick up free meals at the elementary school between those same times while the school is closed.