Officials: Pennsylvania schools can reopen in-person teaching on July 1

LOCAL SUPERINTENDENT. MARCIE: THE SUPERINTENDENT WE SPOKE WITH SAYS SOME OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS WILL BE TOUGH SUCH AS MAKING ONE-WAY TRAFFIC IN HALLWAYS AND KEEPING SIX FEET DISTANCE. THE STATE IS ALLOWING DISTRICTS TO MAKE CERTAIN CHOICES BASED ON THEIR NEEDS. FROM MCKEESPORT SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT, THE GUIDANCE IS CHALLENGING BUT FLEXIBLE. >> WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO BE CREATIVE AND DO SOME STAGGERED SCHEDULING. MARCIE: HE SAYS THEY ARE ALREADY REVIEWING THE PLAN, WORKING THROUGH REQUIREMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS. >> WHEN YOU LOOK AT KINDERGARTEN, FIRST GRADE, TRYING TO PUT CHILDREN IN MASKS, TRYING TO THINK ABOUT WHAT 16, 17-YEAR-OLD LOOK LIKE WALKING THROUGH SCHOOLS IN MASKS, IT CREATES ALMOST ITS OWN SAFETY ISSUE. MARCIE: MANY OF THOSE THINGS CAN BE ADJUSTED ALTHOUGH SOME CHANGES ARE REQUIRED TO BE ALLOWED -- TO ALLOW SCHOOLS TO RESUME ACTIVITIES. SCHOOLS MUST APPOINT A PANDEMIC COORDINATOR, HAVE A PLAN TO MONITOR SYMPTOMS, GUIDELINES FOR HYGIENE AND FACE COVERINGS, PROCEDURES FOR DISINFECTING AND SOCIAL DISTANCING, IF IT’S FOR LIMITING CLASS SIZES AND PROTOCOLS FOR -- METHODS FOR LIMITING CLASS SIZES AND PROTOCOLS FOR TRANSPORTATION. >> WE ARE HOPEFUL WE ARE ABLE TO IMPLEMENT SAFETY PROCEDURES AND SOME OTHER THINGS TO KEEP KIDS, THEIR HANDS CLEAN AND KEEP THEM AS MUCH AWAY FROM EACH OTHER AS WE CAN. MARCIE: WE HAVE THE LIST OF REQUIREMENTS FOR K-12 AND POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION O

Elementary and secondary schools inside Pennsylvania's less restrictive reopening zones can resume teaching in person and other activities at the end of June, the Education Department said Wednesday. The guidance issued by the department says school boards in the green and yellow phases under the stoplight-colored reopening system must first adopt health and safety procedures that meet federal and state guidelines.Watch the update from Pennsylvania Education Secretary Pedro Rivera in the video player above.The more than 300 colleges and other post-secondary institutions can restart on Friday if they have a plan to keep students and teachers safe, the agency announced.The reopening details follow a spring in which buildings were closed to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus, sending students home for distance learning to complete the school year, and more recently virtual graduation ceremonies. Signs the pandemic is easing have prompted officials to implement gradual reopening of many functions. “We fully expect students to return to classrooms in some capacity,” said Education Secretary Pedro Rivera in a news release, describing the guidance as helping schools establish "a framework that best meets the unique needs of their students and communities.” Rivera planned to answer questions about schools reopening during a virtual press conference later Wednesday, and his department said more information will be provided in the coming weeks about how schools can safely operate.K-12 schools that want to start teaching students in person will have to develop plans that are tailored to each school's particular conditions. Local health agencies must be consulted, and the plan must be submitted to the state Education Department.Schools will have to identify a pandemic coordinator, ensure those at higher risk of infection are protected, monitor for symptoms, limit large gatherings, issue hygiene guidelines and address cleaning, face masks, social distancing. The requirements do not apply to private schools, although officials are encouraging them to follow suit.Colleges, universities, trade schools and other post-secondary institutions in the yellow or green zones can restart in-person instruction. The Education Department said those institutions must adhere to social-distancing guidelines and the federal and state standards for testing, as well as to mitigate and contain the spread of infection.The recommendations for colleges and similar institutions include a phased return to campus, as well as earlier start and finish dates for the academic year.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) —

Elementary and secondary schools inside Pennsylvania's less restrictive reopening zones can resume teaching in person and other activities at the end of June, the Education Department said Wednesday.

The guidance issued by the department says school boards in the green and yellow phases under the stoplight-colored reopening system must first adopt health and safety procedures that meet federal and state guidelines.

Watch the update from Pennsylvania Education Secretary Pedro Rivera in the video player above.

The more than 300 colleges and other post-secondary institutions can restart on Friday if they have a plan to keep students and teachers safe, the agency announced.

The reopening details follow a spring in which buildings were closed to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus, sending students home for distance learning to complete the school year, and more recently virtual graduation ceremonies. Signs the pandemic is easing have prompted officials to implement gradual reopening of many functions.

“We fully expect students to return to classrooms in some capacity,” said Education Secretary Pedro Rivera in a news release, describing the guidance as helping schools establish "a framework that best meets the unique needs of their students and communities.”

Rivera planned to answer questions about schools reopening during a virtual press conference later Wednesday, and his department said more information will be provided in the coming weeks about how schools can safely operate.

K-12 schools that want to start teaching students in person will have to develop plans that are tailored to each school's particular conditions. Local health agencies must be consulted, and the plan must be submitted to the state Education Department.

Schools will have to identify a pandemic coordinator, ensure those at higher risk of infection are protected, monitor for symptoms, limit large gatherings, issue hygiene guidelines and address cleaning, face masks, social distancing.

The requirements do not apply to private schools, although officials are encouraging them to follow suit.

Colleges, universities, trade schools and other post-secondary institutions in the yellow or green zones can restart in-person instruction. The Education Department said those institutions must adhere to social-distancing guidelines and the federal and state standards for testing, as well as to mitigate and contain the spread of infection.

The recommendations for colleges and similar institutions include a phased return to campus, as well as earlier start and finish dates for the academic year.

Officials: Pennsylvania schools can reopen in-person teaching on July 1

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