Three Cove School Districts Now in Remote Learning Mode Due to COVID

The COVID-19 pandemic has played a role in education throughout the state and the country.

Here in Morrisons Cove, all four school districts have been affected within the last few weeks.

Northern Bedford and Williamsburg school districts have been forced to close for a period of time.

At Central High School in Martinsburg, the school was closed from Nov. 13 through Nov. 18 for an intensive cleaning. Spring Cove Superintendent Dr. Betsy Baker said the school was closing in an abundance of caution because district officials were “seeing a higher concentration of positive cases among Central High School students/staff.”

Claysburg-Kimmel High School will be virtual though Friday, Nov. 20. All students in the district will be virtual Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 23 and 24, leading up to the Thanksgiving break.

NBC, Williamsburg Schools Close

Due to a significant increase in COVID-19 positive cases and more than 30 close contacts of a positive case in the school district since Nov. 10, the Northern Bedford School District has closed the buildings through Nov. 30 with a return to school on Dec. 1.

All students will continue their school work online.

Todd Beatty, district superintendent, said principals will communicate with parents and guardians with directions on retrieving all necessary items for their children.

Jennie Miller, food service director, will communicate meal pickup dates and times for the parents, Beatty said.

Beatty thanked parents, guardians and students for their “understanding during this difficult and frustrating time.”

The Pennsylvania Department of Health recommends that schools close for one week when two to four cases of COVID are identified. The Williamsburg Community School District has identified one positive case and two probable cases at the high school; thus, Williamsburg high school student parents received a letter on Friday, Nov. 13, stating that the high school will be closed for face-to-face instruction effective immediately and will reopen on Tuesday, Dec. 1.

Students in grades 7-12 will receive virtual instruction during that time period. Students are required to log-in with their Chromebooks by 7:50 a.m. every morning.

According to a second letter sent out by secondary Principal Michael Jones, attendance is vital and will count “as part of the students’ grades for the second marking period.” Student assignments will be given to students on Canvas – the school district’s learning management system.

The letter also said that the school district will still be using Blue and White Days, meaning periods 1, 3, 5a, 5b, 7 and 9 will be taught on Blue Days (Nov. 16, 18, 20 and 24) and periods 2, 4, 5a, 5b, 6 and 8 will be taught on White Days (Nov. 17, 19, and 23). This information also applies to students who attend the Greater Altoona Career and Technology Center.

Jones said in the letter, “students will be expected to do all of their work virtually.”

Jones said he encourages parents/guardians to make sure completing their work for both high school and the Vo-Tech. GACTC students will have to sign into the school district’s website by 11:20 a.m. each day. For any questions or more information, parents/guardians are urged to contact the high school office.