When Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf announced March 30 that Pennsylvania public and charter schools are “closed until further notice,” Northampton Area School District’s 5,500 students were already online learning.

The stay-at-home order for residents of Northampton County, extended through April 30, has ramifications for students’ academic and social life.

The April 3 Northampton Area Middle School chorus performance at the Lehigh Valley Phantoms hockey game at PPL Center is canceled.

The Northampton Area High School junior prom, set for April 4, is canceled.

Also canceled are Strings Showcases April 2 at NAHS and NAMS.

Even nonstudents are impacted.

The Konkrete Kids Educational Foundation oldies dance, an annual fundraiser for the foundation, scheduled for April 4, is canceled. The event is usually a sellout that fills Northampton Banquet and Event Center.

NASD Superintendent of Schools Joseph S. Kovalchik announced at the March 23 school board meeting online teaching was to begin March 30.

The NASD academic plan-extended closure was posted March 25 on the district website, where there are detailed instructions for parents, guardians and students.

“The teachers are familiar with the online platform,” Kovalchik said to school directors who were teleconferencing from their homes.

Laptops were distributed to students March 13, the last day of classes before closing the schools.

“We don’t want our students sitting around without any work,” Kovalchik said at the meeting.

Kovalchik told school directors 96 percent of NASD student households have Internet access.

The first two weeks of school closure, March 16-27, constituted vacation days.

Concerning the online learning platform, Kovalchik said of the teaching staff, “People have been trained. The kids are really good at this.”

Kovalchik credited NASD Director of Technology Kurt Paccio, who was teleconferencing at the school board meeting, for setting up the district’s online learning, as well as the board’s virtual meeting.

“It sounds like you guys were prepared even before the pandemic,” said school Director James Chuss, speaking from his home during the board meeting.

Wolf initially announced schools were to open April 6 with students returning April 9, after he closed schools March 16-27.

On March 25, Wolf issued a stay-at-home order for residents of Northampton County, except for those engaged in essential work or travel.

The requirement for 180 school days is waived. Pennsylvania System of School Assessments (PSSA), Keystone Exams and SAT testing are canceled.

According to Wolf’s website, the Department of Education will provide updated guidance and resources to school officials about the continuity of education for students.

NASD administrators and teachers developed the academic online learning plan “so students have the opportunity to grow and maintain content knowledge and skills during extended school closure,” the district website states.

There is information about courses, classroom lessons and assignments. Students are to log on and complete work daily.

The last day of the third marking period was changed from March 26 to March 29.

“At this time, the third marking period grades and progress reports will not be finalized,” the website states. The third marking period is being kept open in case of changes in the educational plan. Third marking period report cards and progress reports will be made at a date to be determined.

The fourth marking period began March 30 with grades from instruction, activities and assessments from that date onward to be entered into the fourth marking period.

The website notes: “Virtual learning may require alternative methods of instruction and assessment that may be different from the face-to-face learning environment. Our teachers understand students may not have access to printed materials, textbooks and other resources commonly used in the traditional school classroom. Therefore, all learning resources will be accessible to students online.”

Parents and guardians are asked to contact the student’s school building principal by email with questions concerning the learning situation, content or skills.

Technology questions or technology help at home can be obtained by filling out a form at nasdschools.org/helpdesk.

A link to a letter from Kovalchik can be found under Spotlight Stories on the district website.

The academic plan for extended school closure, updated March 30, can be found at sites.google.com/nasdschools.org/extschoolclosure/.

For guidance and resources from the Pennsylvania Department of Education regarding COVID-19, visit education.pa.gov/Schools/safeschools/emergencyplanning/COVID-19/Pages/default.aspx.