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Weekly district communication to SASD families

May 14, 2021

 

Dear Shaler Area families,

 

Next week, Shaler Area will run on an altered schedule due to the scheduled in-service day and previously announced adjustments. Please take note of this as you plan your week ahead. In week’s communication, we include the following important information:

  • Continuation of universal face coverings within SASD;

  • Schedule changes next week and the end of the current school year;

  • Survey request to participate in Educational Summer Camps at SASD; 

  • A summary of COVID-19 cases in SASD for the week of May 10.

 

Face Coverings

While the state Department of Health has amended its mask order to reflect new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, all Shaler Area students and staff will continue to wear face coverings through the end of the school year. Face coverings also will continue to be required at all district events. 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. 

 

Schedule Changes

As a reminder, Tuesday, May 18, is a scheduled in-service day, and there will be no school (in person or virtual) for students. As previously announced, we have made some adjustments to the schedule in the coming weeks in order to best facilitate end-of-the-year testing and returning educational materials.

 

May 20, 2021 (HIGH SCHOOL ONLY)

  • In-person instruction day (half-day a.m.) for all students scheduled to take a Keystone Exam.

  • Virtual instruction day for all students not scheduled to take a Keystone Exam.

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 7-11 (K-12)

  • Monday through Friday, June 7-11, will be in-person instruction days for all students in Cohort A and B.

  • Cohort C will remain in virtual instruction.

  • Wednesday to Friday, June 9-11, will remain early dismissal days, as scheduled.

  • District transportation will be provided.

  • Breakfast will be available to all students K-12 all five days.

  • Lunch will be available to all students K-12 on Monday and Tuesday, June 7-8.

  • Lunch will be available to students K-6 ONLY on Wednesday and Thursday, June 9-10.

 

Students who attend A.W. Beattie: Please note that the last day of school for A.W. Beattie is June 4. For the week 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].


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 that 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 next 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]).

 

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 Scott Primary School tested positive on April 28.

  • One student at Shaler Area Elementary School tested positive on May 5.

  • One employee at Shaler Area High School tested positive on May 9.

  • One student at Shaler Area High School tested positive on May 9.

  • One student at Shaler Area Elementary school tested positive on May 11.

 

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