District shuts down remaining in-person classes for the year

POTTSTOWN » As the spike in coronavirus cases continues, school districts struggle to find the right balance between the educational and emotional benefits of in-person learning, with the potential threat to spread COVID-19.

Since March, the vast majority of Pottstown school students have been learning from home, thanks to efforts to provide computers and Internet connections for those without them.

The exceptions have been the district’s career and technical students at Pottstown High School, and certain special education students for whom in-person education is most necessary.

But now, with the rising number of coronavirus cases endangering safety, Pottstown

“I am confident that we will get through this together.” — Stephen Rodriguez, Pottstown Schools superintendent

Schools Superintendent Stephen Rodriguez announced Wednesday that even those relatively few students taking in-person classes will be stopped for the rest of the year, starting Monday, Dec. 14.

“Over the past two weeks, we have seen an increase in students and staff COVID-testing positive or needing to quarantine due to possible COVID-19 exposure. We are also seeing an increasing positivity in our community,” Rodriguez wrote in a letter posted Wednesday on the district’s website and Facebook pages.

The positivity rate has risen from 8.4 percent as of Nov. 25 to 10.3 percent as of Dec. 9, Rodriguez wrote.

“Co- curricular programs have had no positive cases thus far. Until further notice, these programs will continue to be offered with all mitigation protocols in place. However the decision to continue activities is subject to change dependent upon identified positive COVID cases,” Rodriguez wrote.

“Looking at our nation, our state, and our Pottstown community, it seems clear that the next few weeks and months will be challenging with Covid-19 and safety concerns,” according to Rodriguez.

The school board has held off on any in-person return to classes until Jan. 19. Rodriguez said it is impossible to say how conditions now will affect that plan.

“What I can say for certain is that we will:

• Prepare for the worst, and hope for the best,

• Make decisions as early as possible so that families can plan and staff can prepare,

• Continue to update you and,

• Keep safety as our primary concern,” wrote Rodriguez.

“Throughout these very challenging times, the Pottstown School District and community continues to display teamwork and a supportive attitude, which are the very ingredients to overcome any adversity,” Rodriguez wrote. “I am confident that we will get through this together.”