Dear Families,

Unfortunately, the pandemic continues to wreak havoc on our back-to-school plans for the 2020-2021 school year.  On Monday, the PA Department of Health and the PA Department of Education released a joint recommendation that schools in areas with moderate community transmission open using either a blended (hybrid) or full remote learning model.   While planning for a full re-opening in a few weeks, we have also been engaged in work to position ourselves to adapt as needed and to provide an improved educational experience for our students when remote learning is needed. 


Based upon Cambria County’s designation as a county with MODERATE transmission over the last two weeks, Penn Cambria Schools must follow the BLENDED (HYBRID) PLAN now posted to our website.  The county designation may change week -to-week but state guidance recommends waiting for stability in the data to change instructional models. In addition, we know that these changing plans are incredibly difficult for students and their families. Therefore, we have developed this plan for hybrid instruction through October 30th to give you and our students some stability.       


We recognize how very difficult it is for our families and our students to adapt to these changes.  The health and safety of our entire Penn Cambria community remains our first priority.  Our decisions related to instructional planning, scheduling, safety protocols, and more are based on a review of guidance from the PA Department of Health, the CDC, and the PA Department of Education.   We do expect to publish an outline of protocols we will follow when we have suspected and/or confirmed COVID-19 cases in our schools as soon as updated guidance is provided by the state.  This will include our plans for providing remote learning to students that may be in isolation or quarantine as individual health conditions allow. However, if guidance from the PA Department of Health changes as they learn more about the virus, we will change these protocols.    

 

I would again like to extend my sincere thanks for your continued cooperation and patience. We truly understand that these constant changes are both stressful and frustrating.  The district will continue to do our best to act upon rapidly changing guidance and effectively communicate any resulting necessary changes.


Mr. William Marshall
Superintendent