COVID sends students back home

WEST GOSHEN >> A return to remote learning is in effect for several secondary grade levels in the West Chester Area School District.

All Henderson High School ninth graders, Stetson Middle School seventh and eighth graders and Fugett Middle School eighth graders will temporarily switch to remote instruction due to COVID-19.

Henderson ninth graders and Stetson seventh graders will return Monday and Stetson and Fugett eighth graders will return to in-person instruction on Tuesday.

An April 21 letter from Superintendent Dr. Jim Scanlon and Fugett Middle School Principal Tony Small notified parents and families that all Fugett eighth graders, including Special Education students, would temporarily stay away from school buildings and instead learn remotely from Thursday, April 22 through Monday, April 26. Similar letters were sent to Henderson and Stetson parents.

“The increase in positive cases in the community has required us to quarantine approximately 50 percent of the in-person students in the eighth grade class,” reads the Small letter. “Quarantining is one of the mitigation strategies used to reduce transmission rates of the virus.”

The district understands that the pause to in-person instruction is disappointing.

“However, we feel this important mitigation strategy will prevent a building-wide closure,” the letter from Small reads. “We appreciate your patience and understanding that this temporary switch is in the best interests of the health and safety of students and staff.”

In addition to remote instruction, students will not be allowed to participate in school-sanctioned sports or activities through April 26.

The Small letter reads that the district is acting proactively: “We can’t stress enough to everyone how important it is to be mindful that the virus is still present. Please continue to be safe, avoid large gatherings, and wear masks. The actions of our students and staff outside of school impact our ability to keep our schools open.”