School News / COVID-19 pandemic

District information regarding the COVID-19 pandemic

In August 2020, the state changed COVID-19 levels per county to "low," "moderate" and "substantial" risk of community transmission, which replaces phases green, yellow and red. The CDC calls it "low," "medium" and "high." Learn more about levels of community transmission, here: COVID levels

June 9, 2022: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updates its COVID-19 tracking system regarding county-by-county transmission. Learn more, here: Data tracker

Jan. 6 - June 2, 2022: According to the CDC, community transmission levels of novel coronavirus in Centre County have remained "low," with the exception of the week ending May 27. The COVID-19 "community level" is determined by the higher of the new admissions and inpatient beds metrics, based on the current level of new cases per 100,000 population in the past seven days. The Pennsylvania Department of Health data tracker for Centre County is updated weekly on Wednesdays and may be found, here: PA data tracker

Feb. 25, 2022: The CDC lifts mask requirements on school buses. Guidance was made to align with its new community COVID-level metrics system. Learn more, here: Updated guidance

Dec. 11, 2021: The universal masking order for Pennsylvania schools has been lifted by action of the state Supreme Court. Based on the district's Health and Safety Plan, a mask-optional protocol will be implemented in its schools, effective immediately. Please note that masking on school buses is issued by a federal regulation and is still required.

Nov 30, 2021: Pennsylvania schools must maintain masking orders until the state Supreme Court receives oral arguments on Dec. 8. This latest ruling overturns a Commonwealth Court decision that lifted masking guidelines on Dec. 4. For more information, see this link: Reinstatement of schoolwide mask mandate

Nov. 16, 2021: The Commonwealth Court issued a ruling that the state Department of Health face-covering order must end on Dec. 4, reversing the automatic stay issued when Gov. Tom Wolf appealed to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court on Nov. 10. This means that unless there is further legal action from the governor or courts, the DOH face-covering order for K-12 schools will end Dec. 4. Learn more, here: Court ruling

Nov. 8, 2021: Gov. Tom Wolf announced that likely after the new year, the state will allow local control of COVID-19 mitigation efforts at public school districts in the commonwealth. Learn more, here: Announcement

Oct. 21, 2021: Masking clarification has been made in regard to a face cover and a face shield. Please see more information in the 2021-22 Q&A.

Sept. 7, 2021: State-imposed masking requirements begin. Learn more, here: Mask mandate

Aug. 31, 2021: Gov. Tom Wolf, acting Health Secretary Alison Beam and Secretary of Education Noe Ortega announced a new order that outlines a required masking mandate in place for all school districts in the commonwealth, starting Sept. 7. Learn more, here: Mask mandate

July 27, 2021: The Bellefonte Area school board approved the return-to-school health and safety plan for the 2021-22 school year. Please note information is subject to change as the state continuously alters guidelines. If anything changes, it must be board approved and the district will be in contact with the community. See the plan, here: Health and safety plan

See more timeline updates, below...

2020-21 school year

May 18 to June 29, 2021: Centre County is listed in the "moderate" category for rates of COVID transmission. Learn more, here: Integrated county view

May 18 to June 29, 2021: Centre County is listed in the "moderate" category for rates of COVID transmission. Learn more, here: Integrated county view

May 31, 2021: In- and outdoor gathering limits are fully lifted. Learn more, here: Mitigation Orders and Gathering Limits

May 17, 2021: In- and outdoor event and gathering maximum occupancy limit for school activities not related to educational instruction, will be lifted in a phased process via state ordinance. Starting May 17, occupancy will be increased to 50 percent for indoor events, and 75 percent for outdoor gatherings. Learn more, here: Mitigation Orders and Gathering Limits

Feb. 1 to May 6, 2021: Centre County is listed in the "substantial" category for rates of COVID transmission. Learn more, here: Integrated county view

March 1, 2021: Gov. Tom Wolf revised and lifted some mitigation restrictions on in- and outdoor occupancy limits and out-of-state travel restrictions. Learn more, here: Update

Dec. 14, 2020: Bellefonte Area School District is offering students and their families four learning models to choose from for the second semester of school. More information will be released after the new year. See options in this video: Learning models

Dec. 4, 2020: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention alters its guidelines regarding quarantine after an individual is exposed to someone else with novel coronavirus. The Pennsylvania Department of Health also is following those guidelines. See more, here: COVID-19 quarantine

Nov. 17, 2020: Gov. Tom Wolf and state Health Secretary Rachel Levine issued new COVID-19-related mandates across the commonwealth as novel coronavirus cases increase. It includes traveler testing and enhanced masking orders. See the full press release, here: New mitigation efforts

Aug. 25, 2020: First day of school for students. Students are enrolled at Bellefonte Area School District in three options in green phase for the 2020-21 school year -- full in-person learning, hybrid option and/or Bellefonte eLearning Academy. Heading into the first day, Interim Superintendent Tammie Burnaford has provided important information for families. You may find the update, here: Back-to-school information

Aug. 17, 2020: First day back to school for employees. This week includes professional learning, additional training, class and curriculum preparation, and more. The first day of school for students is Aug. 25.

Aug. 11, 2020: Deadline ends for Bellefonte Area School District families wanting to enroll their child in Bellefonte eLearning Academy or the hybrid option for learning in the 2020-21 school year.

July 30, 2020: The Bellefonte Area school board approved the final return-to-school health and safety plan for the fall. The first day of school is Aug. 25. Please note that information is subject to change as the state continuously alters guidelines. If anything changes, it must be board approved and the district will be in contact with the community.

July 23, 2020: In regard to families planning a vacation out-of-state, while school is in session -- Students returning from destinations listed on the state’s travel advisory are recommended to quarantine for 14 days following the return. A consultation with your health care provider is recommended, and documentation of medical clearance may be submitted to the district in lieu of quarantine.

July 23, 2020: District administrators created a hybrid learning option for students in the 2020-21 school year. Pending approval from the Bellefonte Area school board, this will accompany other options in the green phase for in-person learning and cyber education through Bellefonte eLearning Academy. This will allow students to learn remotely on certain days, while others will be physically in school on other days, and will help limit the number of students on buses and in buildings, allowing for the district to comply with guidance regarding distancing recommendations.

July 16, 2020: The state Department of Health issued an order on July 1 requiring face coverings be worn when in public. With guidelines from the state, "Children 2 years and older are required to wear a face covering (at school) unless they have a medical or mental health condition or disability, documented in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act or IDEA." This means if families choose to send their child to in-person school this fall, he or she will be required to wear a face covering unless a medical note is submitted from a healthcare provider.
2019-20 school year

June 30, 2020: The Bellefonte Area school board unanimously approved the district's summer school reopening health and safety and return-to-play plans. Pandemic Coordinator Karen Krisch also unveiled tentative learning options for students in the 2020-21 school year and what that means in each phase of the pandemic.

June 1, 2020: Bellefonte Area School District created a taskforce to help establish plans for the 2020-21 school year. It's made of about 50 faculty and staff members from different buildings, departments and grade levels. The first goal is to create a health and safety plan with guidance from the state , followed by educational and instructional plans that also include social and emotional learning.

May 29, 2020: Centre County moves to green phase. That still, however, prohibits gatherings of more than 250 people even if the recommended six-foot of distance among individuals is enforced. There are different stipulations for establishments and institutions set by the state.

May 21, 2020: A graduation plan for the Class of 2020 has been established. Please learn more in the district's Q&A. A committee that oversees graduation has instituted a plan that takes into consideration needs and wants of seniors and their families, and the safety and security of those involved, while abiding by state law.

May 8, 2020: Gov. Tom Wolf has lifted the stay-at-home order for residents of Centre County, which was placed in the yellow phase. Gatherings of up to 25 people are permitted. Social distancing practices are still encouraged. Childcare facilities and retail stores may open, but school districts are still under mandatory physical closure. See more, here: Opening guidance from the state

April 27, 2020: Planned instruction begins. This is a new mandate by the state Department of Education, and differs from the prior "enrichment and review" plan the district adopted in March. See the district's Continuity of Education plan, here: COE plan

April 9, 2020: In a decision made by the state, schools across the commonwealth will remain closed for the rest of the 2019-20 school year. That, however, doesn't mean educational efforts will stop. A menu of learning options for K-12 students will still be available with online and offline opportunities. See the district's full statement, here: Response to full closure

April 2, 2020: Bellefonte Area School District's Continuity of Education plan was submitted to the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

March 30, 2020: The Pennsylvania Department of Education announced that all schools in the commonwealth will remain closed until further notice.

March 30, 2020: Continuity of education plan begins. See link for a menu of online and offline learning options for K-12 students: Enrichment and review. Special education teachers and service providers will also reach out to parents of students with disabilities. Learn more, here: Special ed plan

March 24, 2020: Bellefonte Area School District supports enrichment and review for its learning plan during the school closure. The state indicated that the district is required to offer continuity of education, which can be done in one of two formats including enrichment and review. This option enables the district to be equitable in its delivery of education under Free Appropriate Public Education. Teachers and instructional coaches met virtually to develop a menu of learning options, which will start March 30.

March 23, 2020: All schools in the commonwealth will be closed until at least April 6.

March 19, 2020: The Pennsylvania Department of Education announced the cancelation of all PSSA, PASA and Keystone exams for the 2019-20 school year. Bellefonte Area School District is continuing to plan learning opportunities and ways teachers can connect with students. Please see more information from the district, here: Testing cancelations

March 13, 2020: Gov. Tom Wolf announced all schools in the commonwealth will be closed for 10 business days starting March 16. At the end of the 10 days, the state will reevaluate and decide if further closure is needed. Please see more information from the district, here: School closure

March 12, 2020: Gov. Tom Wolf issued a declaration for state agencies to postpone or virtually host large meetings, conferences, trainings or community events where there would be an attendance in excess of 200 people. Bellefonte Area School District will cancel large gatherings until further notice. This does not include the regular school day.

*Image provided by the CDC and used with permission

Learn more about how the novel coronavirus outbreak is impacting Bellefonte Area School District

2022-23 school year

Health and safety plan

COVID-19 general information

Coronavirus in the community

Public service announcements

Health and wellness

Other information

Family and community resources

Resources podcast

Resources Q&A

Meal options and food assistance

News features

Technology resources

COVID-19 information is also available for ESL and diverse learners: Multi-language COVID-19 information

Statements

June 10, 2022

June 3, 2022

Please see more statements below...

2021-22 school year
2020-21 school year
2019-20 school year
- Feb. 5, 2020: Message from the nurse
- March 1, 2020: Coronavirus and norovirus
- March 11, 2020: Coronavirus PSA
- March 16, 2020: School closure update
- March 18, 2020: Preventative measures
- March 23, 2020: Letter to families
- March 28, 2020: State of the District
- May 4, 2020: COE plan update
- May 11, 2020: Item retrieval information
- May 18, 2020: Calendar update
- May 26, 2020: Holiday week update
- June 1, 2020: End-of-school update
- June 8, 2020: District update

*Information reported on the district's website about novel coronavirus come from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Pennsylvania Department of Health, and are attributed as necessary. Images are provided by the CDC and DOH, and used with permission.

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