PSEA is a community of education professionals who make a difference in the lives of students every day.
PSEA is keeping track of how schools are reopening. Reviewing websites for Pennsylvania’s 499 school districts, we’ve identified whether a school district is teaching students virtually, with a hybrid model, or in-person. This is the best data available, and no one else is collecting it on a statewide basis. The data is also very fluid, since some school districts are changing their methods of instruction when they identify cases of COVID-19 among their students and staff members. Some school districts may have changed their instructional approaches since this data was collected.
This is a “living map,” and it will be updated periodically. If you have more updated information about any school district, feel free to share it at schoolmapupdates@psea.org.
In-Person: an open model for all students and staff five days a week with some students/families opting for distance learning out of personal safety/health concerns
Hybrid: a blended model that balances in-person learning and remote learning for all students, (for example, alternating days or weeks), or a scaffolded model where some students are engaged in in-person learning while others are distance learning (for example, some grade levels in-person while other grade levels are remote learning)
Virtual: total remote learning for all students (includes future actions/steps to be implemented and conditions that would prompt the decision as to when schools will open for in-person learning)
On March 18, PSEA joined with eight other education and labor organizations in a letter to legislative leaders, encouraging them to immediately consider legislation to set clear state policy for school districts and staff as they deal with the COVID-19 emergency.
PSEA is working around the clock with Gov. Wolf, legislators, the secretary of education, and school officials to pass this legislation. We believe this bill will pass within the next week or so. And we may ask PSEA members to contact your legislators and urge them to support it.
The bill would:
Our schools and communities are all focused on preventing the spread of COVID-19 coronavirus. Federal and state officials have created a number of resources aimed at educating the public about the virus and advising Pennsylvanians about how we can prevent it from spreading.
The Centers for Disease Control has issued guidance on how to slow the spread of COVID-19 coronavirus and has specific information related to K-12 schools, including a checklist for teachers and support professionals and tips about how to discuss the virus with children.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health has information specific to Pennsylvania, including tips, updates on cases and testing, resources, and a detailed Q and A about coronavirus.
That website also has information for K-12 schools.
UPDATE: March 24, 2020 PDE Memo - Continuity of Education in Pennsylvania Schools
School Guidance - Answers to Frequently Asked Questions (updated frequently)
The Pennsylvania Department of Education also has a special resources page for educators and school administrators.
Below is the guidance that we have from the CDC. We urge all PSEA members and others in our public schools to follow it carefully:
There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease. The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:
Consistent with Gov. Wolf’s advice, many in-person PSEA events and meetings will be postponed or moved to remote format. Please watch for announcements if you have already RSVP’d for an event.
In addition, all PSEA offices will also be closed beginning Monday, March 16, at 5 p.m. Staff members will work from home and still be available to assist members via cell phone and email. You can reach them at the same phone numbers. Like many other organizations, PSEA and NEA have decided to cancel or postpone certain meetings, conferences, and events out of an abundance of caution in order to guard against the spread of coronavirus.
As medical professionals and government officials have pointed out, avoiding large gatherings is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of coronavirus. So, canceling or postponing certain PSEA and NEA events is a judicious decision and is consistent with this good advice.
PSEA meetings, conferences, and events
The following PSEA conferences, meetings, and events are being CANCELLED:
The following PSEA conferences are being POSTPONED and will hopefully be rescheduled soon:
PSEA regional events
NEA meetings, conferences, and events
The following NEA conferences, meetings, and events are being CANCELLED:
The following NEA conferences are being POSTPONED and will hopefully be rescheduled soon: