Galeton and Bennetts Valley Elementary are closing schools, while Ridgway is dealing with another confirmed COVID-19 case this week.
Alanna Huck, superintendent of the Galeton Area School District in Potter County, issued a statement Monday informing the community, parents and students that the school closure is a result of “an abundance of caution” and the buildings will be deep cleaned during the school closure.
Galeton teachers and staff will be in the buildings, but students are transitioning to remote learning for the week.
“These are not days off, rather they are virtual learning days for the students. Grab and go lunch and breakfast will be provided for anyone who is interested in picking up the meals from 12:30 — 1 p.m. each day,” Huck said.
She further explained that high school students should access their schoolwork online and be in their classes each period as each teacher will be teaching remotely from their classroom. Students may contact teachers directly either via email or by calling the office to be transferred to the teacher. Meanwhile, elementary students should work on their math and reading skills that were sent home with them on Monday. The elementary teachers will be working in their rooms this week and teaching remotely from their rooms as well and may be contacted via email.
“Please be reminded Covid spreads very quickly as evidenced by the uptick in cases this weekend,” Huck said. “Be sure to wear your masks, wash your hands and to stay away from large gatherings. I know this is very difficult to do but for the health of our community, please take this week to socially distance and to fight back against this virus.”
Huck stated the building will re-open for face-to-face instruction on Nov. 16.
The Bennetts Valley Elementary School in Elk County has announced a positive student and a presumed positive student with COVID-19. As a result, the school will be closed through Friday in order to allow for the completion of proper contact tracing.
According to Principal Dan Vollmer, students and staff who have been in close contact with the student who has tested positive or the student who is presumed positive will need to quarantine past Friday. Those students and staff members will be notified by the school individually.
Teachers sent some classwork home with students Monday. Students who have the internet and a device are expected to log in and complete assignments on SeeSaw posted by their teacher. Those who have the internet but are in need of a device should contact the school today to arrange pickup for the rest of the week. Those who do not have any means to complete assignments via SeeSaw are asked to contact their teacher so arrangements can be made to pick up assignments at the school.
Ridgway Area School District in Elk County has had a report of a student testing positive for COVID-19. Due to the fact the student was not in school on Monday and there was no school-based exposure, the elementary, middle and high school remain open for in person instruction this week.
The positive case was in close contact with other students over the weekend and those students were in school Monday. As a result, RHS excluded seven students for close contact today.
All students and their parents/guardians who were in close contact with the positive case have been notified and per PA Department of Health, those students will quarantine from 11/8/2020 through 11/21/2020.
RASD officials also stated they will be providing a parent/guardian/community update this morning regarding Elk County’s status of being in “substantial transmission.”
