In the midst of rising cases of COVID-19, several McKean County school districts said they’d be remaining in a remote teaching model until after the holidays, while one plans on returning as early as Monday.

Announcements were sent to families and posted on social media Friday for Bradford, Otto-Eldred and Kane school districts.

Katy Pude, superintendent for Bradford Area School District, said this past week, the district had multiple staff test positive for the virus, with others quarantining due to being close contacts. Due to this and the fact that many students across the district are “in the same predicament,” the district announced they will continue with remote learning, with a plan to resume in-person instruction for all students beginning Jan. 11, 2021.

“This would allow us the time following the break to monitor the data, reach out to families affected by the virus and to ensure that we have an adequate number of healthy staff members to instruct our students,” noted Pude. “Also, if safe to do so, we would tentatively plan to bring our students with complex learning needs into the buildings on Jan. 7th and 8th to allow for a smooth transition back to in-person instruction.”

Kane Area School District had similar plans, with Superintendent Brock Benson saying, given the current landscape, the district will remain in full remote teaching and learning through Dec. 23, with in-person instruction resuming on Jan. 4.

Benson said the district was notified of three additional cases of COVID-19 this past week. Additionally, Benson said that “according to the most recent data, Kane has experienced the largest percentage increase of coronavirus cases in McKean County over the past week,” with positive case counts accelerating over the past few days.

All students are eligible for free breakfast and lunch during each day of online learning. Parents or students may pick up the meals from 9:30 a.m until 1:30 p.m. on Dec. 14th, 16th and 21st at the middle school. Meals will be distributed drive-through style from the middle school cafeteria/gym entrance. Those unable to pick up meals can contact Jodie Hollingshead at 814-837-9570 ex. 1213 so alternative arrangements can be made.

With the two other districts planning to remain in a virtual learning environment, Otto-Eldred School District Superintendent Matt Splain said that “after performing contact tracing and cleaning in our high school building for the most recent positive COVID-19 case, Otto-Eldred Jr. Sr. High School will plan to resume normal operations for all 7th-12th students on Monday, Dec. 14,” with the goal of continuing in-person instruction with both buildings through Dec. 22.

All three superintendents recognized the hardship and frustration the coronavirus has brought on many families, though asked for cooperation in following current guidelines set by the Pennsylvania Department of Health to help stop the spread.

“We recognize the burden even a few days online places on our parents and our businesses, however, we are unable to stop the community spread and bring our students back to school without your help,” said Pude. “It will take all of us to stop the spread by following the PA Health Department protocols: wear a mask, social distance and avoid large gatherings.”