May 7, 2021
Dear Shaler Area families,
This week, Governor Wolf announced that several mitigation orders will be lifted in Pennsylvania on Monday, May 31. This is encouraging news and signals the progress we have made to stop the spread of COVID-19. However, it also does not mean that we can let down our guard and many of our current mitigation strategies will continue to occur in our schools. In week’s communication, please note the following important information:
COVID-19 mitigation strategies still in place in Shaler Area;
Survey request to participate in Educational Summer Camps at SASD;
Details regarding schedule changes for the end of the current school year;
A summary of COVID-19 cases in SASD for the week of May 3.
Mitigation Strategies
While many of the mitigation orders in Pennsylvania will be lifted at the end of this month, the universal face-covering order remains in place until 70 percent of Pennsylvanians age 18 and older are fully vaccinated. In our schools, this means that face-coverings can only be removed when:
Eating or drinking when spaced at least 6 feet apart; or
When wearing a face covering creates an unsafe condition in which to operate equipment or execute a task; or
At least 6 feet apart during “face-covering breaks” to last no longer than 10 minutes.
Additionally, all of the current mitigation strategies in place in our schools—including but not limited to cleaning and sanitization schedules and social distancing—will continue to be followed and enforced. We are currently looking at how the limitations on event and gathering sizes being lifted may impact some end-of-the-year activities and events. We are committed to continuing to take steps and make decisions that protect the health and safety of our school community.
Summer Camp Survey Request
Shaler Area will host 2-week education camps from August 2-13 for students currently enrolled in K-5 and 6-8. These camps are designed to help students gear up and get ready for the new school year. The summer camps will be in the following formats:
K-5 Summer Literacy Camp
This blended summer literacy camp will be on-site Monday and Tuesday, and virtual Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. The program will provide a variety of activities to promote, remediate, and develop strong literacy skills for students in grades K-5. The program will include a variety of pre-selected trade-book texts that are focused on age-appropriate themes with a focus on the development of foundational skills. Teachers will facilitate one morning meeting per week and post engaging activities related to texts via Google Classroom.
6-8 Virtual Literacy and/or Math Camp
Both camps will provide a variety of activities to promote, remediate, and develop strong literacy or math skills for students in grades 6-7-8. The program will include a variety of pre-selected activities that are focused on age-appropriate themes to reinforce foundational skills for the upcoming school year. Teachers will virtually facilitate instructional activities related to content material via Google Classroom and engage in a culminating activity onsite at the conclusion of the program. Students may enroll in both the literacy and math camp.
Interest Survey
Please indicate your interest in either of these camps by completing the corresponding interest survey below by Friday, May 21, 2021 . A registration form will be sent to all families that indicate an interest in the summer camps.
If you have any questions regarding the survey or summer camps, please contact Mrs. Eloise Milligan, Coordinator of Academic Services, via email [email protected].
Schedule Changes
As a reminder, we have made the following adjustments to the schedule in order to best facilitate end-of-the-year testing and returning educational materials.
May 20, 2021 (HIGH SCHOOL ONLY)
District transportation will be provided for all students scheduled to take the Keystone Exams on May 20, and breakfast and a snack will be available in the cafeteria.
June 9-11 (K-12)
Wednesday through Friday, June 9-11, will be in-person instruction days for all students in Cohort A and B.
Cohort C will remain in virtual instruction.
All three days will remain early dismissal days, as scheduled.
District transportation will be provided.
Breakfast and lunch will be available to students K-12 all three days.
Lunch will be available to students K-6 on Wednesday and Thursday, June 9-10, only.
Students who attend A.W. Beattie: Please note that the last day of school for A.W. Beattie is June 4. For the week of June 7-11, please follow the Alternate Transportation Schedules posted on the district Transportation website for when SASD is in session and A.W. Beattie is closed: https://www.sasd.k12.pa.us/Transportation.aspx. If you have concerns about your bus stop, please contact the district Transportation Department at 412-492-1200 ext. 2824 or [email protected].
COVID-19 Summary
Finally, below is a summary of the additional positive COVID-19 cases in our district since our communication last Friday:
One student at Shaler Area Middle School tested positive on April 30.*
One student at Shaler Area Middle School tested positive on May 1. *
One student at Shaler Area High School tested positive on May 2.
One student at Shaler Area High School tested positive on May 5.
*Indicates the positive case was not in school during their infectious period, therefore, the case will not appear on the dashboard nor be included in the 14-day rolling totals.
As always, thank you for your support this school year.
Sincerely,
Sean C. Aiken, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
Bryan E. O’Black, Ed.D.
Assistant Superintendent