On March 13, when Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf announced Pennsylvania public schools would be closing due to COVID-19, Whitehall-Coplay School District teachers and administrators worked to develop ways to help students continue their education at home, following the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s guidelines.

Wolf announced March 24 the schools would remain closed until April 6. He extended his directive March 30, stating schools would remain closed indefinitely.

WCSD Superintendent Dr. Lorie Hackett sent an email March 27 to parents, just days before Wolf’s updated directive, detailing the situation.

“These unprecedented times call for extreme measures, and we must remember to support each other. Together, we can and will overcome this most challenging situation,” Hackett said. “We wish to thank you for your support these past two weeks, as we have worked to implement an educational plan that provides educational opportunities for all of our students.”

The new extended online learning opportunities began March 30.

“With additional structure, we are hopeful there will be increased participation and responsiveness. We are confident in our educators’ ability to communicate with your children virtually, but we do ask for your patience. It is to be expected there will be some challenges as we transition to a new learning environment,” Hackett said.

One obstacle the district faces is ensuring each student has access to a computer in order to access online learning opportunities. Whitehall High School students in grades 9-12 have their own school-issued Chromebooks. The district will be supplying Chromebooks to Whitehall-Coplay Middle School students by holding a drive-thru pickup this week. The same will be happening for students of Gockley, Steckel and Zephyr elementary schools.

The district asked parents to complete a survey March 30 for students who don’t have a Chromebook at home or for children sharing one device. Resources for acquiring Internet service can be found at whitehallcoplay.org/Page/3512.

Currently, activities provided for students will not be graded and new material isn’t being introduced. Hackett said online learning will concentrate on “review, reinforcement and enrichment.”

WCSD is continuing to work on further developing its online curriculum if schools remain closed for an extended time.

Emails from each school’s principal informed parents their child(ren)’s teachers would connect with them this week to provide information and learning opportunities, which will also be available on individual school’s websites. Parents are also encouraged to check these sites for an additional section on educational information and updates from school staff, such as counselors.

Hackett provided parents with websites to help them discuss COVID-19 with children, since it is a stressful situation for them as well. Guidance can be found at brainpop.com/health/diseasesinjuriesandconditions/coronavirus/ and nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources-and-podcasts/school-climate-safety-and-crisis/health-crisis-resources/helping-children-cope-with-changes-resulting-from-covid-19.

WCSD is continuing to provide breakfasts and lunches for any student in the district, with pickup times 10 a.m.-noon Mondays and Wednesdays. Students must be present at pickup and will receive two days worth of food Mondays and three days worth of food Wednesdays.