Dear West Allegheny Families,

We hope this finds you healthy and enjoying your summer. As we continue to prepare for the first day of school on Tuesday, August 25, we have several important details to share that will help you plan for your child(ren)'s return regardless of their chosen Educational Delivery Model. Please read the information below carefully as it details upcoming in-person and virtual orientations, schedule releases, device pick-up and insurance, school supply lists, health and wellness videos created by our WA nurses and more.
Survey Results
Over this past week, we have processed all of our families' choices for their child(ren)'s Education Delivery Model for the 2020-2021 school year. The responses have been instrumental in finalizing our plans for staffing each of the models and preparing for a successful learning experience for your child(ren).

The following are the results of family choice for the 2020-2021 school year:

  • In-Person Instruction - 72% of students
  • K-8 Synchronous Online & Grades 9-12 Hybrid Learning - 17.9% of students
  • West Allegheny Virtual Academy - WAVA - 10.2% of students

With 72% of our students attending school in person, our classrooms will have even more than six feet of social distancing for both students and staff.

Survey responses regarding transportation reflected that 51% of in-person parents will assist in driving children to and/or from school, thereby supporting better social distancing on our buses.
Orientations
All visitors to school orientations MUST:
wear a mask, follow social distancing and
not attend if showing symptoms of illness,
or are subject to quarantine due to
high risk travel and/or exposure.
No more than two parents/guardians are
permitted to accompany students
during orientations.


Students Returning to In-Person Orientations

The following orientations will be provided for students returning to In-Person instruction at designated grade levels:

High School - Grade 9 and New Students to the School
Friday, August 21 - 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
-Chromebooks will be distributed at this time
-You will receive an email to schedule a time for your in-person orientation

Middle School - Grade 6 and New Students to the School
Friday, August 21 - 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
-Chromebooks will be distributed at this time
-You will receive an email to schedule a time for your in-person orientation

Elementary Schools - Kindergarten and New Students to the School
Friday, August 21
-Kindergarten Video Released - 8:00 a.m.
-Small Group Tours:
  • New Families - 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
  • Kindergarten Families - 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Principals from each elementary school will send additional information by August 14
with a link to schedule your tour.
(K-8) Synchronous Online Learning Student Virtual Orientations

The following virtual orientations will be provided for students enrolled in Synchronous Online Learning Academy students and Zoom invitations will be sent by your school principal:

Friday, August 21:

Grades K-2, 9:00 a.m.

Grades 3-5, 10:30 a.m.

Grades 6-8, 1:00 p.m.

Device Pick-Up & Insurance
With the start of the 2020-2021 school year, we will be providing every student with a device. Students in grades
1-12 will be assigned a Chromebook and kindergarten students will be assigned an iPad. Students in grades 3-12 will take their device home each evening so that they can complete work and ensure that their device is appropriately charged and ready for use the following day. Students in grades K-2 will leave their devices at school each evening.

Students in Grades 6-12 will pick up their Chromebooks at their respective schools according to the schedule below. As a reminder, students in grades K-5 will receive their device in their homerooms on the first day of school on August 25; students in grades 3-5 will bring their Chromebook home that evening. Please note that if you have more than one child at a school, you can pick up multiple devices at the same time. However, if you have children across both the Middle School and the High School, you will pick the devices up at each respective school. 
The Acceptable Use Policy Agreement will be distributed
to families at the start of the school year.

Middle and High School Student Device and Material Pick-Up
All school visitors for device and material pick-up
MUST wear a mask, follow social distancing,
and not attend if showing symptoms of illness.
High School 
Cafeteria External Entrance

Grade 12 
Tuesday, August 18
3-6 p.m. 

Grade 11 
Wednesday, August 19
3-6 p.m. 

Grade 10 
Thursday, August 20
3-6 p.m. 

Grade 9
Friday, August 21
9 a.m.-5 p.m.
During Orientation
Middle School
Gym Lobby Entrance

Grade 8 
Wednesday, August 19 
3-6 p.m. 
 
Grade 7 
Thursday, August 20 
3-6 p.m. 

Grade 6 
Friday, August 21
9 a.m.- 5 p.m.
  During Orientation
 
 

Elementary Students in the
Synchronous Online Learning Academy and WAVA

Device and material pick-up for elementary students selecting the Synchronous Online Learning Academy and WAVA will be on Thursday, August 20
from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the student's assigned school.
DEVICE INSURANCE
 
Families will be responsible for the care of District-provided devices that are sent home.
We are offering the opportunity for families to purchase device-based insurance, with two options for coverage:

  • Full Coverage - $27 (Includes theft and burglary)

  • Accidental Only- $19

Both coverage plans include unlimited claims with no deductible. Families who do not elect to receive coverage will be fully responsible for associated costs in the event of damage or loss.

Insurance coverage is not recommended for K-2 students who are returning for In-Person Instruction as they will not be taking their devices home. If the District moves to a Remote Learning Model as a result of state guidance, insurance for those students would be recommended at that time.

When a damage incident occurs, the student will return the device to the technology department, which will provide a comparable temporary replacement and process the repair.

The Family Portal to register for insurance coverage will be shared with families on
Monday, August 10.
Schedule Release

  • High School In-Person schedules that were released at the end of the school year will be re-released on Wednesday, August 12 at 4:00 p.m. 

  • Elementary and Middle School
  • In-Person schedules and teacher assignments will be released on Wednesday, August 12, at 4:00 p.m.

  • Students enrolled in the Synchronous Online Learning Academy can expect schedules to be released the week of August 17. More information to follow.

Class Supply List
Students Choosing In-Person OR the Synchronous Online Learning Academy

We are pleased to share the K-8
School Supply Lists at the links below:






High School teachers will be providing supply lists at the start of school as applicable.
WAVA Supply Lists

Please click HERE to view Supply Lists for students enrolled in WAVA.


Health & Wellness Tips
Even prior to the start of the 2020-2021 school year, our incredible team of school nurses has been working diligently to ensure our students and staff are safe and healthy. In addition to providing guidance on how to safely return to school, they have created informational videos to help educate our students on best health and hygiene practices during this unprecedented time.

The video messages below will be reviewed with students upon return to school and throughout the school year: