By BERNADETTE SuKLEY

Special to The Press

Northwestern Lehigh School District Superintendent Jennifer Holman provided the following updated information on Aug. 11 to families regarding the reopening of schools:

The school year will begin Aug. 31 for all students.

“The purpose of this communication is to provide families with an update of recent guidance from the Pennsylvania Department of Education and Pennsylvania Department of Health that affects the district’s Reopening Health and Safety Plan and the instructional options for the fall 2020 school year.

“On Aug. 10, Determining Instructional Models During the COVID-19 Pandemic guidance was released by the state Department of Education and the state Department of Health.

“This guidance recommends school districts use two metrics to determine the county-level of community spread of COVID-19 and recommends instructional options for school operations.

“As of Aug. 11, Lehigh County is in the moderate spread, and recommended instructional models are either full remote or blended model.

“This guidance was reviewed and supported by our Reopening Health and Safety Plan medical advisor.

“As a result, Northwestern Lehigh School District will no longer be offering a traditional instructional model for the start of school.

“The instructional models that will be available for all kindergarten through 12th grade students will be either blended learning or online instruction with a school district instructor.

“We will remain in these instructional models until at least the end of the first marking period, which is currently Nov. 4 or if health data requires us to make an adjustment.

“Transportation will be offered daily from homes.

What does this mean for students who committed to a traditional instructional model?

“If you committed to a traditional model, we will automatically shift your child to a blended model.

“If you committed to online with a school district instructor model, you will remain online with a school district instructor.

“We recognize this adjustment may result in some families wanting to choose another instructional model.

“Therefore, we are providing families an opportunity to change their selection. To change your selection, you must email the office to change your selection by 5 p.m. Aug. 13 using the following emails.

“Please send one email per child to the correct building he or she will attend for the 2020-21 school year.

High school: hscontact@nwlehighsd.org

Middle school: mscontact@nwlehighsd.org

Weisenberg: weiscontact@nwlehighsd.org

Northwestern Elementary: nwecontact@nwlehighsd.org

“If your household has multiple last names, email admincontact@nwlehighsd.org to make us aware.”

The two charts shown above provide additional information to better describe each instructional model being offered.