Several Allegheny, Westmoreland county school districts moving to online learning

Several school districts in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties have announced plans to move to remote learning in light of surging covid-19 cases.

Here are the districts and the plans that have been announced:

• Allegheny Valley School District officials announced Wednesday that full virtual instruction for all students will start Dec. 1 and remain through at least Jan. 18. A video from Superintendent Patrick Graczyk outlining the changes to virtual learning was posted on its website. Students enrolled in the Dynamo Virtual Academy will continue as normal. Free meals will be available to students. Email meals@avsd.k12.pa.us or call 724-274-2118 for more food information. An update to Allegheny Valley School District’s status is expected to be sent to families by Dec. 28.
• Ligonier Valley School District shifted to full remote learning Monday and plan to stay that way through Dec. 4. Superintendent Christine Oldham said in a letter to parents that not only are covid cases spiking in Westmoreland County, but more district staffers and students have also become isolated or quarantined in recent days. Ligonier Valley athletics and events have also been postponed until the December return. Remote meal distributions will continue with the next one scheduled for Dec. 2. Call 724-238-5696, ext. 109 for more information. More information about Ligonier Valley School District activities is available on its website.
• Peters Township School District officials said all students will learn remotely starting Dec. 1 and resume in-person instruction on Jan. 7. More information about how the district is handling the virus, including informational links for parents, is available by clicking here.
• Southmoreland School District will be closed for in-person instruction from Dec. 1 through Dec. 14, officials announced in a letter to parents. Students will log into their Google Classrooms to begin their day and follow scheduled to attend lessons and interact with their classroom teachers and peers, the letter read. The district will provide Chromebooks to families. More information about Southmoreland’s educational plans is available on its website.

Meanwhile, several school districts have announced new cases impacting their schools this month.

• Franklin Regional School District officials sand an employee at Newlonsburg Elementary has tested positive for covid-19. The employee is in quarantine and impacted areas of the building have been thoroughly disinfected and sanitized, according to a district letter. The school will remain open and no other individuals are required to quarantine.
• Mt. Lebanon School District officials announced several employees and students in several schools have tested positive for the virus this week. An employee at Jefferson Middle School tested positive for the virus. That person was last at school on Nov. 20. An employee at the high school, two high school students and a student at Mellon Middle School also tested positive for covid-10. The employee was in school Nov. 19. The high school students were last in class Nov. 20 and the middle school student was last in classes Nov. 17.