Homer-Center School District superintendent Curtis Whitesel yesterday issued a letter to district residents affirming that the district intends to continue its current educational model of face-to-face instruction for the next two weeks, provided there is not a major outbreak of coronavirus infections.
Whitesel says Indiana County will be in the Substantial Category by the state Health Department for the third straight week, and that is a threat to schools. He writes that there are new cases within the community and surrounding districts daily, increasing the number of students and staff who must quarantine.
The superintendent says that while they will continue to be face-to-face, Homer-Center students who can and want to use remote learning are welcome to and the district will provide the technology if needed.
Homer-Center will change its calendar to make November 23rd an Act 80 days for teachers, with no classes. And the 24th will be a vacation day, using a snow day from later in the year. That will give students an extra day off for Thanksgiving, with the 25th already scheduled off.
Whitesel also promises that the district is not planning to change its instructional delivery method, but if they eventually do, it will not be an overnight decision, giving parents the time to plan. If that were to happen, the district would switch to remote learning for grades 7 to 12, with students who have technology problems having the option of still being in-person. Elementary students would likely use the hybrid model developed before the start of the school year.
He asks everyone in the community to practice physical distancing, wear masks, and limit social gatherings.
To read Superintendent Whitesel’s statement, click on the link below:
