COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
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November 24, 2020

Dear Manheim Township Staff and Families,

Please read below for an important update. Yesterday afternoon, Governor Wolf and the Department of Health Secretary, Dr. Rachel Levine, held a press conference outlining new efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in the community. Some of those efforts focused on new mandates for school districts that are in the “substantial transmission stage.” At this time, all but four counties in the state are in the substantial transmission stage. The new orders for school districts in this stage include updated guidance and mandates regarding face coverings, temporary school instructional models, and gatherings.

Given these new orders, and Governor Wolf’s joint public statement (with the Governors of the Northeastern states) on November 19 regarding the importance of in-person learning, even in communities with high transmission rates, the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) has provided districts with a framework that allows in-person learning to continue while still focusing steadfastly on safety measures. Those safety measures involve the need for districts to enforce three key items; the first two are outlined on an attestation form to be signed by the Superintendent and the School Board President:

• Compliance with the wearing of face coverings;
• Compliance with the procedures for instructional programming, case investigation, contact tracing, quarantine and isolation, and cleaning efforts when a specified number of positive and probable cases occur within a school; and,
• Compliance with spectator participation requirements at school events and gatherings.

Universal Face Coverings
The updated Order requires all employees, students, and visitors to wear a face covering. Prominent signs must be posted and visible, stating that face coverings are required by the Order of the Secretary of Health. School districts may provide reasonable accommodations to individuals with a documented medical condition that makes it unreasonable for the person to wear a face covering. In order for our schools to remain open, staff and students must comply with the updated face covering order.

In our current PDE Health & Safety Plan, MTSD has required the wearing of face coverings at all times since the onset of this school year.  There is “no change’ for our district; we are already in compliance with the updated Order.  We will be posting more signs throughout our facilities that speak to the requirement of face coverings by the Secretary of Health.

Additional information on the updated Order requiring universal face coverings can be found here.

PreK – 12 Public School Districts Identification of COVID-19
The PDE offers new guidance for school districts (linked HERE) that provides a more detailed look at the number of COVID cases in school buildings related to size, and how to address the need for temporary school closure and cleaning. The guidance provides recommendations specific to small school buildings (under 500 students), medium (500-900 students) and large buildings (over 900 students) in regards to the number of cases in the buildings and when to close buildings for thorough cleaning.

• Our K-4 buildings (Brecht, Bucher, Neff, Nitrauer, Reidenbaugh, Schaeffer) are considered “small” buildings under these guidelines;
• LRIS, MTMS, and MTHS are all considered “large” buildings under these guidelines.

This new guidance includes information on case investigation, contact tracing, isolation and quarantine, and provides information on what schools should do when a student or staff present symptoms of COVID-19 but are not a confirmed case. The PDE also notes that if case investigations, contact tracing, and cleaning and disinfecting can be accomplished in a faster time frame (than those listed on the chart), the length of closure time may be shortened.

MTSD will continually examine both county and district data, as well as consult with our local healthcare providers and the PA Department of Health in the implementation of our safety measures. Our Instructional Schedule for November 30 – January 22 has reduced the number of students in our buildings by remaining on a hybrid (“Yellow”) schedule for our schools, with a slow integration of face-to-face instruction at our elementary buildings. If at any time we need to pivot temporarily to full remote instruction due to issues associated with positive/probable cases, we will communicate with our families as soon as possible. This pivoting is part of the process outlined in the new guidance for school districts.

Requirements for Events and Gatherings
Revisions were also made to spectator participation at school district events and gatherings. The PDE has provided information relating to the maximum occupancy for indoor and outdoor events. This information (linked HERE) will be used as the district plans for spectator participation for winter athletic events and other gatherings.

Our PDE Health & Safety Plan will be updated to include the new Orders and the attestation form. Thank you for your patience as we work through this information. As a district, we will remain as responsive and communicative about these mandates and all other COVID related situations, as appropriate.

Sincerely,
Dr. Robin L. Felty
​​​​​​​Superintendent of Schools

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November 20, 2020

November 20, 2020

 Dear Manheim Township Families;

Today’s correspondence provides another important update on the educational programming for our K-12 schools starting the week of November 30 – January 22, 2021. After receiving feedback from our parents, students, and staff regarding the health and safety of our schools during this recent spike of COVID-19 positive cases in the community, the MTSD Administration will initiate a shift in educational programming, effective immediately. The schedule below outlines the framework of the K-12 plan.

Updated Schedule in Instructional Programming

Week of	Plan Status	Grades K-4	Grades 5-6	Grades 7-8	Grades 9-12
11/30/2020	Updated (11/19/2020)	Yellow	Yellow	Yellow	Yellow
12/7/2020	Tentative (Subject to Change)	Green	Yellow	Yellow	Yellow
12/14/2020	Tentative (Subject to Change)	Green	Green	Yellow	Yellow
12/21/2020	Tentative (Subject to Change)	Green	Green	Yellow	Yellow
12/28/2020	OFF (Holiday Break)
1/4/2021	Tentative (Subject to Change)	Yellow	Yellow	Yellow	Yellow
1/11/2021	Tentative (Subject to Change)	Green	Yellow	Yellow	Yellow
1/18/2021	Tentative (Subject to Change)	Green	Green	Yellow	Yellow
1/25/2021	Tentative (Subject to Change)	Green	Green	Green	Green

 

• Yellow references a hybrid learning model where students attend 2 days per week in their “A” or “B” Group (“C” Group students attend daily in Yellow). 
• Green references in-person, face-to-face instruction.
  Building principals will communicate details regarding the Yellow/hybrid schedule in their weekly school communication.
  On the chart where the weeks are listed as tentative/subject to change, the administration will inform families of any necessary changes as soon as possible. (for example, significant numbers of probable/positive cases resulting in staffing issues, quarantine spread, etc.)

The “split attendance” approach in the hybrid (Yellow) schedule involves dividing the total number of in-person students in half, placing students into groups A and B.  For the split attendance (face-to-face) distinction, the following process and schedule will be used:

• Students with a last name beginning with A to L will be in Group A and will report to school on Monday and Tuesday
• Students with a last name beginning with M to Z will be in Group B and will report to school on Wednesday and Thursday
• Students in Group C:
  • “Group C” students: MDS,  ES, LSS, AS
  • “Group C” attends face-to-face on all “Yellow” days

• Fridays will be remote learning for Group A and Group B students while in the Yellow phase. Group C will attend in-person.

Governor Wolf’s Travel Restrictions and Updated Mask Orders

We cannot stress enough that our district can only control what happens within the walls of our buildings.  We know there is community spread of the COVID-19 virus within Lancaster County, throughout our state, and throughout the country. Our own personal responsibility to maintain safe practices within our community is imperative to our continuation of in-person learning.

This week, the PA Department of Health issued an order restricting travel outside of Pennsylvania, which includes mandates for any resident who leaves the state and returns.  The Order takes effect today, November 20, and will remain in effect until further notice.

What exactly does this mean for you?

According to the Order: “Pennsylvania residents who visit other states are required to have a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours before their return home or to quarantine for 14 days upon return.”  We understand that many families may have previously scheduled trips or outings; however, the District must comply with this Order from the PA Department of Health. If you plan to travel outside of Pennsylvania for the Thanksgiving holiday, the district must follow the mandate and your student will be required to quarantine for 14 days, or obtain a negative test result to return to school.  In addition, any previously approved educational trip(s) will remain approved; however, the aforementioned negative COVID-19 test or a 14-day travel quarantine will be required to return to school. If you do plan to travel over the holidays, please contact your building principal. 

 While this Order restricts travel to other states, the purpose of the mandate is to limit travel and contact with those who do not reside in your household. We encourage everyone to be extra cautious during this holiday season. If you host or attend a holiday gathering, please wear a mask when indoors and keep a distance from people not in your household. In addition to the travel restrictions, the Governor issued a second new Order that included an update on Universal Mask Coverings.  

Continuing to follow both of these Orders is essential for helping to keep our schools open for in-person instruction and all other activities. Thank you in advance for following these guidelines and Orders, for having continued conversations with your student(s) about being safe, and for continuing to make decisions with your family to reduce the risk of spread.

Please continue to practice all safety measures, both in and out of school. It is important to report any symptoms, COVID testing, and/or any close contact with a positive case to your school nurse, so our district can monitor and implement contact tracing.

Safety remains our top priority. For the physical, emotional, and mental well-being of our students, we must as a community work together to support each other. Your diligence and cooperation in following all safety protocols is appreciated. As a district, we will remain as responsive and transparent as possible on this and all other COVID related situations, as appropriate.

Sincerely,
Dr. Robin L. Felty
Superintendent of Schools

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