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BELLEFONTE -- The cases of COVID-19 in the Bellefonte Area School District continue to be low.
In her weekly update to students, families and staff, interim superintendent Tammie Burnaford said that there was one reported new case in the high school over the past week. Since Friday, however, Burnaford said that there have been zero new known cases of the coronavirus.
In the email, Burnaford asked that parents remain vigilant when it comes to reporting cases of COVID-19 to the district.
"Parents should continue to notify building principals if their child(ren) tests positive for the coronavirus. The best way to get in touch with the building principal on the weekends or off times is via email, as our principals check email regularly even during the evening hours and on weekends," Burnaford said in the email. "The quick notifications really have helped our administrators to act quickly to begin contact tracing and to lessen the spread of the disease."
While all schools in the district are currently open, that could change.
"Of course, the PDE mandates, the DOH directives, increases in new cases or unforeseen issues can happen rapidly, and we may need to change our plans at a moment's notice. If any of this latest information changes or our status must change, we will let you know as soon as possible. Unless we have any major news, outbreaks or changes that need to be shared immediately, I will send an update letter with case counts and other information on Friday, again this week," Burnaford said.
Burnaford asks students, families and staff to continue to follow DOH guidelines.
"Again, we encourage everyone in our school community to continue to follow the guidelines and practices that can help lessen the spread of the virus. This includes washing hands frequently, wearing masks, social distancing and practicing personal responsibility. Now, as much as ever, we need to keep up the great work in order to keep our students, staff and community safe and healthy," Burnaford said.
Burnaford also announced that students will not be in school on Friday, Feb. 12 and Monday, Feb. 15, as per the original school calendar. Friday, Feb. 12 was a scheduled teacher/staff inservice day. Monday, Feb. 15 is a holiday (Presidents' Day), which means there will be no school for students and staff.
The BASD board will look to approve a make-up of last week's snow day on Friday, March 12.
In April, students will have three days off. Thursday, April 1 is an Act 80 Day. Friday, April 2 and Monday, April 5 are off days as well as school is closed for Easter Break. Friday, May 28 will be a Professional Learning Day. On Monday, May 31, school will be closed for the Memorial Day holiday. The last day of school for students will be Thursday, June 3. That is also the tentative graduation date for the Class of 2021. The rain date for graduation is Friday, June 4.
Senior Awards will be Wednesday, June 2.
Burnaford will present the 2021-22 calendar at tonight's school board board meeting. The board will also get another look at the preliminary 2021-22 budget.
The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. and will be held via Zoom. It will be televised by C-NET.