It was announced on Wednesday by Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration that postsecondary schools, colleges, universities, seminaries, adult basic education programs, and trade schools can now allow students to go on their campuses for in-person classes beginning June 5.
The state Department of Education said that postsecondary schools can now reopen as long as the county they reside in is either in the green or yellow phase of Gov. Wolf’s reopening plan.
“Educators, students and caregivers have done a remarkable job as we all navigate through this pandemic,” Pennsylvania Department of Education Secretary Pedro Rivera stated, “Now we need to direct our energy to focus on how to resume instruction in the 2020-21 school year. We fully expect students to return to classrooms in some capacity and are confident that schools will use this guidance to build a framework that best meets the unique needs of their students and communities.”
Pre-K, elementary, middle, and high school campuses in the state may now allow in-person learning again beginning July 1, also in yellow and green phase counties.
It’s expected that 67 counties will be in the yellow phase, while more than half of the state counties will now be in the green phase. In relation to this, Governor Wolf will be expiring the stay-at-home order on June 4. All learning locations must have their reopening plan approved by the state government. But the latest updates and reports confirm that students of all levels and ages are welcome back to classrooms this fall.
Although schools will return, state government officials still urge its officials and students to practice social distancing and follow health and safety protocols to prevent COVID-19.
For more information about the reopening of schools and other conditions related to Pennsylvania education under the “new normal,” you may visit the state Department of Education’s Coronavirus (COVID-19) Guidance and Resources for School Communities.
Stay safe, Pennsylvania!
