Schools in Northampton Area School District reopened Dec. 2 after the Thanksgiving Day vacation break with the hybrid system of education, which includes a blend of in-person and online instruction.

Confirmed COVID-19 cases reported in NASD since the beginning of the school year total 64, as of Dec. 1.

And, while the 98th Thanksgiving Day game between the Northampton Area High School Konkrete Kids and the Catasauqua High School Rough Riders football teams was canceled because of the pandemic, school is back in session.

“We plan to open all schools for face-to-face instruction this week,” NASD Superintendent of Schools Joseph S. Kovalchik said Nov. 30. “We will continue to monitor the situation and follow the guidance from the state and local health experts. If needed, we will close schools for the health and safety of the students, staff and community.”

Meanwhile, seven confirmed COVID-19 cases were reported in letters to parents/guardians, administration and staff in the district over the Thanksgiving break.

A new case was reported Nov. 30 at Northampton Area Middle School. There were eight cases announced Dec. 1 - five at NAHS, two at NAMS and one at Siegfried Elementary School.

Kovalchik has sent 34 letters concerning confirmed COVID-19 cases since the Aug. 31 start of the 2020-21 school year. Of those letters, 22 were sent in November alone. This compares to eight letters sent in October, three sent in September and one so far in December.

A COVID-19 case status and instruction overview was sent Nov. 12.

The confirmed COVID-19 case tally, including eLearning students who have not been in schools, as of Dec. 1 is:

NAHS: 25 cases

NAMS: 16 cases

Siegfried Elementary School: 13 cases

Lehigh Elementary School: 5 cases

Moore Elementary School: 2 cases

George Wolf Elementary School: 2 cases

Franklin Elementary School: 1 case

Kovalchik sent the first letter Sept. 10, reporting one confirmed case at NAMS. That same day, a second letter reported a confirmed case at NAHS. The third letter was sent Sept. 14 about a case at NAHS.

It took nearly one month for the fourth letter, Oct. 10, reporting two confirmed cases at NAHS. Seven more letters of confirmed COVID-19 cases followed in October.

In addition, Kovalchik posted video chats on YouTube, informing parents/guardians, administration and staff of updates about the district’s hybrid system.

In the hybrid system, NASD students, based on the first letter of their last name, attend in-person classes in schools two days a week and attend remote learning two days a week from their residences.

Mondays are reserved for the students to be at home and teachers and administrators to be in school and available for consultations with students.

The letters have also reported confirmed cases of eLearning students, even though they have not attended school or extracurricular activities.

Also, the letters report when confirmed cases are those of students from the same household.

Cancellation of the Turkey Day game prevented many school spirit activities associated with the event from taking place. Even so, a Konkrete Kids spirit week was held virtually.

An NAHS Student Council representative spoke at the Nov. 23 NASD Board of Education meeting. Logan Garrison, Class of 2022 and student body historian, said contactless fundraising is underway.

“We did a virtual spirit week,” Logan, of Lehigh Township, told school directors. “We plan on having another one before winter break. Our hope is all fundraising will be virtual.”

NASD winter break is set for Dec. 24-Jan. 1, 2021, with schools scheduled to reopen Jan. 4, 2021.

The board of education next meets 6:30 p.m. Dec. 7 and 21 in the cafeteria of NAMS, 1617 Laubach Ave., Northampton.

The meetings are open to the public. Face masks and social-distancing protocol are required.