Dear Parents and Guardians,
In my last update to you, I shared the frameworks I have been using to guide my decision making with respect to our ability to have our students and employees safely on campus during this pandemic. Since that message, the rise in COVID-19 cases in Allegheny County has become even more alarming. As we have done throughout this process, our Pandemic Team and I have been in regular conversation with our Medical Review Board to review and assess the current situation.
The Pennsylvania Department of Education recommends that in counties deemed to have "substantial" spread of COVID-19, schools shift to fully remote learning. Allegheny County has now shifted to this level with a current incidence rate exceeding 100 cases per 100,000 people, and test positivity exceeding 10%. This week's data continues this upward trend. As we know, the surge in numbers has been directly correlated to family and friend social gatherings, which we can only anticipate rising in number and frequency over the course of the coming holiday week.
After reviewing the available data, and with Governor Wolf's newest orders related to COVID-19, it has now become clear that we must shift all divisions into an all-remote model beginning at the end of the day on Friday, November 20 and continuing through at least Friday, December 4. All on-campus extra-curricular activities and athletics are suspended during this timeframe as well. Further, we will make adjustments to our calendar as outlined below. We know that any shift is challenging for our students, but our commitment to the health and safety of the WT community will always remain our highest priority.
November 23 and 24
No classes will be held November 23 and 24. The in-service day originally scheduled for Monday, November 30 will be shifted to Monday, November 23, and faculty will be provided Tuesday, November 24 to close out the first trimester with grade reporting and to prepare for the shift to all-remote learning beginning on Monday, November 30.
Week of November 30
This will now be a full week of all-remote learning for students across all divisions with remote classes resuming on Monday, November 30. Division Directors and your child/children's teachers will provide additional details for this week as they are finalized.
Next Decision Point
We know how important it is for you to have information as soon as possible for your own planning. Not knowing how the coming holiday period will impact the spread of COVID-19 in our community, I am not yet ready to make a decision about the final two weeks prior to Winter Break. We will continue to monitor these external risk factors and evaluate the possibility of returning to on-campus instruction on Monday, December 7. We will let you know no later than Thursday, December 3 what our decision is for the following weeks.
I know this is a time of tremendous stress and uncertainty. I am grateful that we have had so many weeks on campus for our students and teachers to forge strong relationships that will carry them through these challenging times.
Be well,