District News

The intent of this communication is to notify our school community of a recent Covid-19 situation involving a student within the district.

On December 19, 2020, we were notified that a student at the J. Andrew Morrow Primary (JAM) School has tested positive for COVID-19. The last day this individual was in school was Friday, December 11, 2020. In working with the Pennsylvania Department of Health, based on the onset of symptoms of this student, there are no potential close contacts within the J. Andrew Morrow building with this case.

The intent of this communication is to notify our school community of a recent Covid-19 situation involving a student within the district.

On December 16, 2020, we were notified that a student at the Jr/Sr High School has tested positive for COVID-19. The last day this individual was in school was Friday, December 11, 2020. Potential close contacts have been identified and informed to not return to school until approved to do so based on CDC and DOH quarantine guidelines.

The intent of this communication is to notify our school community of two recent Covid-19 situations involving students within the district.

Yesterday, December 15, 2020, we were notified that a student at the Jr/Sr High School has tested positive for COVID-19. The last day this individual was in school was Tuesday, December 8, 2020. Potential close contacts have been identified and informed to not return to school until approved to do so based on CDC and DOH quarantine guidelines.

Also, today, December 16, 2020, we were informed that a student at the Towanda Area Elementary School (TAES) has tested positive. The last day that this student was in school was Wednesday, December 9, 2020. Families of potential close contacts have been identified and informed of their return date.

The intent of this communication is to notify our school community of a recent Covid-19 situation involving a staff member within the district.

Today, December 14, 2020, we were notified that a staff member at the Jr/Sr High School has tested positive for COVID-19. The last day this individual was in school was Monday, December 7, 2020. Potential close contacts have been identified and informed to not return to school until approved to do so based on CDC and DOH quarantine guidelines.

Based on the Department of Education’s School Closure Matrix, there is no need to close the Jr/Sr High School at this time.

As a community, the key to our success is to continue working together as we strive to keep our students, faculty, and staff safe and healthy. Thank you again for working collaboratively with the district as we navigate through this public health crisis together. Stay safe and stay healthy.

The senior class of 2021 will postpone the performance of their senior play, “Help Desk! by Don Zolidis” until after the COVID restrictions are lifted. Dates for the performances will be announced at a later date. Thank you for your continued support of these wonderful students!

On November 25, 2020, Governor Wolf signed Act 136, which delays the use of Keystone Exams as a graduation requirement until 2022-2023. This eliminates the requirement for current juniors to participate in Keystone testing, as it will not be required for graduation. These students are still able and encouraged to participate in testing, should they choose to do so.
For current 9th and 10th grade students, participation in Keystone Exams is still a graduation requirement. However, students who satisfactorily passed a Keystone trigger course during the 2019-2020 school year (i.e., Algebra 1, Biology, English 10) will be deemed as proficient. Because of the graduation requirements that will take effect in 2022-2023, we want all 9th and 10th grade students to participate in Keystone testing, as this will improve their composite score for graduation.
We continue to wait for guidance from the Pennsylvania Department of Education, and will update you when we do. If you have additional questions about testing and graduation requirements, please contact the High School Guidance Office at 570-265-2101.

I hope that you all were able to enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday. The Towanda Area School District will be returning to in-person instruction on Monday, December 7. There are only 12 days before our students will begin their Christmas break. It is our goal to have these days be in person for all three of our buildings. As a district, we have done the best we can at continuing to provide in-person instruction for our students, even during this difficult time. In order to do this as safely as possible, we have needed to have each of our buildings move to remote learning for periods of time. But, we continue to believe that in-person instruction is what is best for our students academically, socially, and emotionally.