- Chambersburg Area School District
- Frequently Asked Questions
COVID-19
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Frequently Asked Questions
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We understand that many parents, guardians, and community members have questions regarding the CASD response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. We hope you find the compiled FAQs below helpful. Also, the Pennsylvania Department of Education has created a resource FAQ at the following link: https://www.education.pa.gov/Schools/safeschools/emergencyplanning/COVID-19/Pages/AnswersToFAQs.aspx
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Why are schools closed?
- On March 13th, CASD administration announced that schools would close for two weeks following “social distancing” guidelines presented by PA Gov. Wolf. Later that day, Gov. Wolf ordered all schools in the Commonwealth closed. Social distancing is a mitigation strategy recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to slow the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) by limiting large gatherings.
- “The goals for using mitigation strategies in communities with local COVID-19 transmission are to slow the transmission of disease and in particular to protect:
- Individuals at increased risk for severe illness, including older adults and persons of any age with underlying health conditions
- The healthcare and critical infrastructure workforces”
- Read more: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/community-mitigation-strategy.pdf
When will students return?
- On April 9th, PA Governor Wolf ordered all K-12 schools buildings closed through the end of the 2019-2020 academic year. Read the press release from Governor Wolf here.
Are students being provided food during the closure?
- Yes. The district will provide free lunch meals to all area children (from 0-18). Lunches will be available at the times and locations listed here.
Are schools being cleaned?
- Yes, CASD Building and Grounds staff are cleaning schools in preparation for students to return for the 2020-2021 school year.
Will students be permitted to retrieve their belongings from school buildings?
- Yes, all schools have developed plans for students to both retrieve their belongings, as well as drop off District-owned items. For details, please check your child's individual school webpage.
How will students be graded for the 2019-2020 school year?
- The District has developed a final grading system for the 2019-2020 school year that takes into consideration the hard work accomplished by students in the months prior to the close of schools due to COVID-19. Read more here: http://ow.ly/KsvC50zHz3m
What will happen with students enrolled in Advanced Placement (AP) courses?
- Optional free, online AP classes and take-at-home AP Exams are being provided by CollegeBoard. For more information about AP courses, visit: https://apcoronavirusupdates.collegeboard.org/
What will happen with students enrolled in Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs?
- On March 23rd, the PA Department of Education announced the cancelling of standardized testing for students in career and technical education (CTE) programs for the 2019-20 school year. These include exams from the National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI) and National Institute of Metalworking Skills (NIMS).
Will CASHS and CMS students get to participate in prom and graduation?
- Yes. A plan is being developed to hold a live graduation ceremony on May 28th for CMS and May 29th for CASHS. However, in the event that social distancing restrictions continue, the following dates in June and July may also be used: June 25th for CMS and June 26th CASHS or July 30th for CMS and July 31st for CASHS. If social distancing guidelines extend beyond July, a virtual graduation will be held on the July dates given. More information will be shared when a date is finalized.
- Following discussions with CASHS and CMS student government representatives, a combined CMS and CASHS prom will be held at CASHS on June 20th from 7:00PM-9:30PM, with a back-up date of July 25th. Prom will be free to attendees and only for grades 10-12. Guests outside of CASD will not be permitted to attend. This event will only occur if social distancing restrictions are lifted prior to the proposed dates.
How will the closure affect home schooled children?
- Home school students do not need to submit an evaluation for the 2019-20 school year, but will still need to submit a new affidavit and goals/objectives for the 2020-21 school year before August 1, 2020. If you have any questions, please contact Wendy Grove at Wendy.grove@casdonline.org or call the district offices at 717-263-9281.
Are CASD staff being paid during the closure?
- Yes, all CASD staff are being paid during the closure due to Act 13 of 2020, which was signed into law by Governor Wolf on March 27th. Staff are currently working on CASD Enrichment Projects as well as many other activities in support of district students.
Are children more at risk for COVID-19 than adults?
- “No, there is no evidence that children are more susceptible. In fact, most confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported from China have occurred in adults. Infections in children have been reported, including in very young children. From limited information published from past Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) outbreaks, infection among children was relatively uncommon.” Read more: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/children-faq.html
What steps can I take to limit the spread of COVID-19?
- Wash your hands regularly, especially after using the restroom and before preparing or consuming food. Using soap and hot water, wash for about 20 seconds. Be sure to also wash your fingertips.
- Avoid coughing or sneezing into your hands or in the air. Always try to cough or sneeze into a tissue, and then throw the tissue away. If you don’t have a tissue, cough/sneeze into your arm.
- As much as you can, avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose.
- Wear a face covering when traveling outside of your home.
Do you have a question for us?
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If you have a question for CASD staff regarding our response to COVID-19, please e-mail us at covid19@casdonline.org and we will get back to you as soon as possible.