ECASD Transitions to Full-Remote Learning

Ellwood City Area School District has transitioned to full-remote learning beginning Tuesday, November 3.

In a short statement made available on the district social media account Monday afternoon, the school made the initial announcement.

@ec_high will be starting full remote learning on Tuesday, November 3! Students are required to join a google meet at the beginning of every class period according to the one hour delay schedule! #EC_Proud #ec_lincoln @ecdotorg @ECLedger @NewCastleNews

— EC Lincoln High (@ec_high) November 2, 2020

In an email to Ellwoodcity.org on Monday afternoon, District Superintendent Dr. Wesley Shipley said, “The county data has us in the substantial range again this week.  We are moving to remote beginning tomorrow and will remain there until our numbers move to the moderate or low ranges for two consecutive weeks.  I sent home information last Wednesday to help prepare our families for this real possibility.  Teachers and staff are preparing students for this as well.”

Shipley is referring to a letter issued by him on October 28 in which he announced a plan in moving education forward during the pandemic following meetings with the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Department of Education and Lawrence County Commissioners.

“This past Monday our county moved into the substantial range of community spread,” Shipley said in the letter. “The Department of Health and Department of Education both recommend that we move to full-remote learning if our county is in the substantial range again on Monday.”

Before today’s decision, Shipley had hoped that the district would have been able to move forward with its Phase II Reopening plan, which was going to offer five-day physical attendance, three-day (MWF) physical attendance with two-day (ITH) remote learning, or ECAVA for those who desire to learn from home five days per week. The district’s board of directors voted to move forward with that plan on October 2nd. But Shipley recognized that the plan also calls for full-remote instruction if the county remains in the substantial phase for two consecutive weeks.

“At this time, we are not facing an outbreak in our schools,” Shipley said in his October 28th letter. “Instead, we are responding to our community spread numbers as recommended by the Departments of Health and Education.”

Full-remote learning will last for at least two weeks. Each Monday when the data is analyzed, a communication will be sent regarding the plan for moving forward, which will either be a return to school date or a notification that remote learning will be extended.

Full-remote learning will mean the following for teachers and students:

• During full-remote learning, teachers and students will remain on their daily schedule and teachers will connect remotely with their students during their scheduled class period/time.
• Students are expected to participate in lessons and classroom meetings each day.
• Teachers can be contacted and will respond to questions during typical school hours.
• Wi-Fi is available in each District Building parking lot and we will again utilize mobile hot-spots (locations will be announced later).
• Special education services will continue to be provided, all scheduled meetings will remain on the calendar and all supplemental services (speech, occupational therapy, etc.) will continue.
• We will continue with the one-hour delay so that teachers can design and post assignments.
• Daily breakfast and lunch will be delivered to our students at no charge.
• Sports teams that have made the playoffs will continue to compete under WPIAL and PIAA rules.
• If winter sports are affected, an immediate notice will be sent to our families.

“The health and safety of our staff and students is most important to us and we will continue to update everyone regarding our instruction status as we move forward,” Shipley said in his October 28th letter. “Please note that our closure is due to community spread and not an outbreak in our schools.  I ask that you take personal precautions so that we can minimize the spread of COVID- 19 which will allow us to remain in school.”