All PA Schools Closed For Rest Of Year: Governor

HARRISBURG, PA — All Pennsylvania schools will remain closed for the rest of the academic year due to the coronavirus pandemic, Gov. Tom Wolf announced Thursday.

It was "not an easy decision to make," the governor said, but it is in the "best interest of our students, school employees and families.”

Schools had been closed since March 13 due to the outbreak, which has killed more than 300 Pennsylvania residents.

Stay up-to-date on coronavirus developments in Pennsylvania — sign up for Patch news alerts

Under the state’s directive, schools could begin summer programming on the day after their academic year ends.

Although schools are closed, teaching and learning should continue, the governor said. Schools are "strongly encouraged" to provide continuity of education for all students, the governor's office said in a statement.

The closure includes colleges and universities, which cannot resume in-person instruction or reopen their physical locations until the governor permits them to open, or lifts the closure of non-life-sustaining businesses.

The closure applies to public K-12 schools, brick and mortar and cyber charter schools, private and parochial schools, career and technical centers, and intermediate units.

All Department of Education early learning program classrooms, including those for Pre-K Counts, Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program and Preschool Early Intervention, will also remain closed.

All re-openings will be contingent on public health guidance provided by the Secretary of Health and stay-at-home orders issued by the governor.

Students and families can continue to pick up meals at designated sites.

Pennsylvania Secretary of Education Rivera said the administration’s primary consideration has always been to make the best decision in the context of student and community health and safety.

“While the rapidly evolving COVID-19 pandemic and its mitigation efforts have created uncertainty in our schools and communities, today’s action to close schools for the remainder of the academic year provides school communities with predictability and understanding of the conditions under which they’ll be operating and serving students,” Secretary of Education Pedro Rivera said.

The total number of coronavirus cases in Pennsylvania stands at 16,239 as of Wednesday.

Wolf shared the following video on his social media channels:

>>>Full coverage of coronavirus in Pennsylvania