We have just learned that the PA Department of Education (PDE) has extended the mandatory shutdown of all public schools in the commonwealth. Under the new timeline, students would return to school on Thursday, April 9, unless, according to the statement, “extending the closure is needed in response to the situation with the virus at that time.”
School buildings would reopen to staff on Tuesday, April 7, in order to allow time to get the buildings, transportation, cafeterias, and other operations prepared for the arrival of the students. The PDE statement also said that the closure order could be extended if necessary to save lives and stop the spread of COVID-19.
PDE also announced that they are cancelling standardized testing for students in career and technical education (CTE) programs for the 2019-20 school year. These tests include exams from the National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI) and National Institute of Metalworking Skills (NIMS).
Please also be aware that all cooperative education (Co-Op), medical/dental clinicals, and career observations administered through the LCCTC will remain suspended through the duration of the mandated shutdown.
Should there be any further development in the status of the public school shutdown, we will notify the community as soon as possible.
For the latest information from the Pennsylvania Department of Education, please go to the link below.
https://www.education.pa.gov/Schools/safeschools/emergencyplanning/COVID-19/Pages/default.aspx
Thank you for your flexibility and understanding during this time.
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