CDC Updated School Guidance
Last Friday, July 9, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) released updated guidance that stressed the need for students to return to the classroom this fall. It also emphasized that communities continue to monitor COVID-19 outbreaks and utilize this information as a tool in guiding in-person instruction. The CDC further recommends that physical distancing should be implemented where not everyone is fully vaccinated as well as wearing masks and other prevention strategies. The CDC also noted that the inability of a school entity to achieve physical distancing should not be a deterrent from reopening schools. The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) and the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) are collaboratively reviewing this new content and will provide any needed associated guidance to schools soon.
Vaccine Passport Bill Vetoed
Gov. Wolf recently vetoed Senate Bill 618, which would have prohibited government entities, which includes schools, from requiring vaccine passports. The legislation was approved by both the House and Senate chambers along party lines. It also would have kept the health secretary from ordering closures or directing people who have not been exposed to COVID-19 to physically distance, wear a mask, quarantine, or restrict their travel. A veto override does not seem possible.
New Law Allows Students to Repeat Grade Level
A new law will allow students to repeat a grade level due to learning disruptions caused by COVID-19. Receiving full support by the PA House, PA Senate, and Governor Wolf, Act 66 of 2021 gives parents the power to make the decision on whether their child should advance to the next grade level by July 15, 2021. The Act will only apply to the 2021-22 school year to address learning gaps related to the pandemic.
Act 66 will also allow parents the option to extend enrollment in special education programs for an extra year due to COVID-19, even if they were aging out of the system at age 21, since they might have missed out on much of the specialized attention they needed due to COVID-19 disruptions.
Please feel free to contact the Keystone Teachers Association if you have any questions or concerns.
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