Archdiocesan schools will follow Montco remote learning mandate

PHILADELPHIA » Officials of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia said they will comply with the directive from Montgomery County health officials that all public and private schools in the county move to an all-virtual learning model for a two-week period around the Thanksgiving holiday.

The Archdiocese announced on Friday that all schools in Montgomery County will shift to the all virtual model of instruction beginning Monday, Nov. 23, through Dec. 6 and that all school related in-person activities and athletic events in Montgomery County will also be suspended during this period.

In Montgomery County, the Archdiocese operates 22 elementary schools, three high schools and two special education schools, which will be affected by the order, according to Kenneth Gavin, chief communications officer for the Archdiocese.

Officials said each school will provide specific information to parents about the change and its impact at the local level in the coming week. Officials said it is expected that the schools will return to prior instruction models on Monday, Dec. 7.

Archdiocesan officials said that based on input from the health departments serving Bucks, Chester-Delaware, and Philadelphia counties, the current models of instruction will continue for schools in those areas. Archdiocesan and local school administrators are in regular communication with their local health departments, which have indicated that hybrid and in-person instruction should continue at this time, officials said.

The Archdiocese includes 122 schools in five counties.

During a meeting on Friday, the five-member Montgomery County Board of Health voted unanimously to impose a two-week pause, from Nov. 23 to Dec. 6, on in-person instruction and extracurricular activities, including sports and sports practices, at all public and private schools to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Health experts are concerned about a significant spike of cases as families gather for Thanksgiving.

William R. Shirk Jr., superintendent of the Pottsgrove School District, sent an email to district families on Friday, explaining that county superintendents were briefed on Wednesday by county health officials about the rising incidence and COVID-19 positivity rates in the county.

“Though those rates in Pottsgrove schools have remained stable and the health and safety protocols that are in place have been working, it is the interactions outside of school that are contributing to the increased numbers in our community and surrounding area,” Shirk wrote.

“Unfortunately, the increased volume throughout all of Montgomery County has impacted the speed with which contact tracing can be performed. And without accurate and timely contact tracing, the possibility of infected individuals not moving to quarantine or isolation hinders efforts to protect our population from the spread of the virus,” Shirk added.

In light of the county order, Shirk said the district will follow an updated schedule beginning Nov. 23 through Dec. 4 as part of the mitigation strategy.

“Please understand these plans are subject to change at any time due to governmental orders or changing circumstances surrounding the pandemic,” Shirk wrote.

The following is an updated Pottsgrove schedule through December 4:

• Nov. 23, 24: PGSD Virtual Parent/Teacher Conferences as scheduled

• Nov. 25, 26, 27: All district buildings will be closed for the holiday break

• Nov.30 through Dec. 4: All students will be in the virtual instruction platform.

“A determination regarding the month of December will be made as we continue to monitor the situation with guidance from the Montgomery County Office of Public Health. The district will communicate any changes to our families as they arise,” said Shirk, who thanked families for their flexibility and patience during the pandemic.