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Students in the South Williamsport Area School District will be transitioning to remote learning beginning Dec. 9 and continuing through Jan. 8, 2021, it was announced Tuesday by Dr. Mark Stamm, district superintendent. All students in kindergarten through grade 12 will be affected by the move.
“As you know, Lycoming County remains in substantial transmission for the fourth consecutive week with an incidence rate of 502 per 100,000 and a testing positivity rate of 18.6 percent,” Stamm wrote in an announcement to staff, students and families in the district.
Stamm noted that the district has confirmed that 74 students and employees of the district are currently quarantined as positive for COVID-19, awaiting test results or for being a close contact of someone positive for COVID-19.
“The spread of the virus in the community is presenting both learning and staffing challenges for the district that have increased in the few days we have been back to in-person instruction,” Stamm stated, adding that this with the reason the district has chosen to move to remote learning.
Students with special needs who have been attending in-person will continue with in-person instruction this week without disruption, according to the announcement.
All children in the community, ages birth through 18, are eligible to receive free meals, Stamm said. Hot meals will be available for drive-by pick-up at the high school main entrance daily from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.. Stamm stressed that this is the only location for pick-up, for any child, every day for free. The child does not need to be in the car to receive a meal and any adult can pick up meals for any number of children.
“Please take advantage of this opportunity,” Stamm urged district residents.
Building principals will again provide important information to students by email at Rommelt Elementary and the Jr./Sr. High School. Families at Central Elementary will receive information through School Story on the Class-DOJO page. Students and families are encouraged to check these locations daily.
Return to in-person instruction is planned for Jan. 11. The decision will be reviewed after the winter break using the most current information available at that time, Stamm said.