Spring-Ford Schools Return After Q1 To Announced 2 Weeks Virtual

ROYERSFORD, PA — Spring-Ford district schools moved into hybrid learning at the end of the year's first quarter, but it didn't last long. After next week's break the district will stay in virtual learning at least another week.

A district that straddles Montgomery and Chester counties, Spring-Ford School District is still compelled to follow Montco's health department order for schools to use virtual instruction for two weeks.

Montgomery County requires all schools, both public and private in Montgomery County to use only virtual education between Nov. 23 and Dec. 6, and to cancel all school-sanctioned extra-curricular activities including sports games and practices.

Spring-Ford district had just returned to limited in-person learning Nov. 13, after completing its first quarter Nov. 11. Spring-Ford decided its students will remain home for the week following the scheduled fall break Nov. 23-27. The following week, Nov. 30-Dec. 6, students will continue in virtual learning.

"This update may feel like a setback, especially as it is delivered on our second day back to school," said SFSD Superintendent Dr. David Goodin. "Please know that we are in a very different place today than we were March 12. We have time to prepare to revert back to virtual; our teachers, students, and families have experience in a virtual platform; and our local health officials know more about this virus than before. I appreciate your understanding and support as we navigate this rapidly changing information."

On Nov. 13, Montgomery County's positivity rate was 9.6 percent and its incidence rate per 100,000 persons was 204.

The Montgomery County Office of Public Health will assess the need for public and private schools to move to a virtual learning model based on linked transmission in schools or by two-week trends in the district's municipalities that track incidence rates per 100,000 persons and positivity rates. Virtual instruction is recommended at incidence rates between 80-100 per 100,000 and at positivity rates between 6-8 percent.