Classroom instruction can continue at Pa. schools despite new coronavirus orders tied to indoor gatherings: Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf and Health Department Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine announced a number of new coronavirus mitigation efforts on Thursday, but they won’t impact classroom learning. The restrictions that go into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday and last until 8 a.m. on Jan. 4 include, among many other things, a ban on indoor gatherings of 10 people or more. The order signed by Wolf, however, specifically addresses school settings. “Classroom instruction by school entities is not a ‘gathering’ or ‘event’ for purposes of this Order,” it reads. “Nor is a meeting of electors, including any preparation, to perform the duties enjoined upon them by the Constitution and the laws of the Commonwealth and of the United States a ‘gathering’ or ‘event’ for purposes of this Order.” Some parts of the educational experience for K-12 students will be impacted, however. “Voluntary activities sponsored or approved by a school entity’s governing body or administration are suspended,” according to the order, and “All sports at K-12 public schools, nonpublic schools, private schools and club, travel, recreational, intermural and intramural sports are paused.” But, schools can continue to follow their in-person and/or hybrid learning models as long as they are adhering to all of the rules put in place by Wolf, the Department of Health and the Department of Education.
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Source: Penn Live By Greg Pickel | gpickel@pennlive.com Updated Dec 10, 2020; Posted Dec 10, 2020.