Greetings, Chartiers Valley Families,
 
I hope you had a restful and relaxing Thanksgiving break. We are looking forward to students returning to in-person instruction on the 7th of December. 

As the District continues to engage in conversation with the Allegheny County Health Department, officials have encouraged schools to offer in-person instruction whenever possible. We know that school positivity and transmission rates are significantly lower than community rates, averaging only 8% of the community positivity rate. 
 
Please take a moment to read over some important information regarding the next few weeks of school and updates for communicating positive cases to our families. 

 
Returning to School
In-person instruction resumes on Monday, December 7, 2020. Hybrid+2 students and Hybrid students with last names beginning in A-K should return to school on Monday. Hybrid students with last names beginning in L-Z should return on Wednesday, December 9. 

 
Tracking Positive Cases
The District has implemented a COVID-19 Dashboard to track positive cases throughout our schools. This tracker is available on the CVSD website here: CVSD COVID-19 Dashboard. It is updated daily to reflect changes as new cases are reported and periods of contagion for current cases expire. In the event we must close a building for a temporary period of time, as determined in collaboration with the ACHD, positive cases listed under that building will move to the “Outside of School Buildings” count. In turn, that building's active case number will reset.
 
The District’s positivity rate is reviewed daily, and these cases are being watched closely for a nexus, or connection, to other active cases. We will continue to communicate via email as new cases are reported to the District.

 
New Cases Health Alert
As of December 4, 2020, the Chartiers Valley School District was notified that 8 members of the Chartiers Valley School District community tested positive for COVID-19. The cases are not presumed to be related to in-school transmission. Additional information is available on the COVID-19 Dashboard page on the District website. 

 
State Guidance for In-Person Instruction
On November 23, the Governor required all school districts to sign an attestation order. The order indicates that in order to provide in-person instruction and participate in winter activities/sports, districts must be mindful of the recommendations released by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) and Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) for Following Identification of a Case(s) of COVID-19 in Pre-K to 12 Schools. 
 
Per guidance provided by the PDE and Allegheny Intermediate Unit, “A case in a school setting includes any confirmed or probable case of COVID-19 when the individual was physically present in the school setting during the infectious period, including but not limited to, instruction, work, sports, or extracurricular activities.” 
 
 
Important notes regarding the new PDE/DOH Guidelines and Dashboard
The District’s COVID-19 Dashboard provides transparency regarding positive cases during this tumultuous time. The tracker identifies positive cases impacting our school buildings as well as those occurring outside of the buildings. Student and staff cases shown on this dashboard are considered active during a 14-day rolling period, which correlates with the new metrics established by PDE and DOH.
 
The District utilizes PDE/DOH’s prescribed reporting methodology, which considers an individual’s period of contagion as beginning on the date of symptom onset or the date of a positive asymptomatic COVID-19 test, whichever is earlier. 
 
PDE has provided a positive case number threshold based on school enrollment that determines recommendations for a change in instructional models (i.e. building closure). PDE guidelines, including positive case thresholds are fully detailed on the PDE website. Per PDE/DOH methodology, Chartiers Valley falls into the following categories:
  • Large (900+): Chartiers Valley High School 
  • Medium (500-900): Chartiers Valley Middle School, Intermediate School, and Primary School 

The data for each CVSD school will be closely examined in collaboration/context with medical experts from the Allegheny County Health Department as part of the decision-making process. COVID-related school closures can be shortened if the prescribed mitigation steps are completed.
 

Doing Your Part to Mitigate Spread
Please remind your child to continue to wear a mask, maintain six feet of social distance at all times, and practice good hand hygiene. If you/your child exhibit symptoms of COVID-19, please stay home and contact your medical provider immediately. If you/your child test positive for COVID-19, please contact Michelle Opferman, CVSD School Nurse, immediately at mopferman@cvsd.net or 412-429-2269.
 
The District continues to follow daily comprehensive cleaning and disinfecting protocols as outlined in our Health & Safety Plan. Please visit the District website for more information, including a list of Frequently Asked Questions. 
 
As always, the health, safety, and well-being of our students and staff remain our top priority. 

Sincerely,

Johannah M. Vanatta, Ed.D.
Superintendent