Panther Pride
District Newsletter 11/22/2020
Message from the Superintendent
Good evening EPASD Families,
This past week we made the difficult decision to move all of our students to Level I remote instruction. The increase of numbers of positive and quarantine cases came to light late Sunday afternoon. As a team, we discussed and reviewed the most recent cases in reference to our decision-making tool Sunday evening. As soon as the presentation of this information was shared with the Board we communicated with families as well as other partner groups at approximately 8 p.m. We tried to work as quickly as we could as we work with data over which we have no control.
Pending the status of COVID-19 community spread and District spread, we are currently planning on moving back to Level II Blended/Hybrid instruction on December 1st. We will be continually assessing the situation on a daily basis in terms of community spread and case numbers. We will be sending out a Blackboard email and robocall to families on Friday, November 27th for our decision on the December 1st re-entry. That message will be sent prior to 6:00pm. That message will also be posted on our website.
Please remember that returning to in-person learning is a community effort. We ask that everyone do their part by wearing masks, maintaining social distancing, limit gathering sizes (especially during the upcoming holiday weekend) and frequently washing hands. As you consider your holiday activities, we urge you to follow the latest travel order from the PA Department of Health. Your adherence to these guidelines will help reduce the spread of the virus and keep our students in school.
We look forward to welcoming our students back to our buildings. As always, the safety and well-being of our students, staff, and families is our top priority.
We hope everyone has a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!
Be safe and be well,
Donna
Dr. Donna Dunar
EPASD Superintendent
Upcoming Dates
District - Wide
- 11/24: No School for Students
- 11/25 - 11/30: Fall Break, All Schools and Offices Closed
- There will be no District Newsletter on 11/29/2020.
- Picture Days for Livestreaming Students - Please check your student emails for updates!
High School
- 11/23: Parent-Teacher Conferences
- 12/2: ASVAB Exam - postponed to January 27th!
- 12/8: Picture Retakes
- 12/9: Picture Retakes
- 12/16: HS Band and Choir Concert at 7:00pm (all concerts will be pre-recorded and will stream live at the date/time originally planned)
- 1/20: Course Selection Night Parent Presentation (virtual)
- 1/27: ASVAB Exam
- 1/29: Student Course Selection for 2021-2022 School Year
Middle School
- 11/23: Parent-Teacher Conferences
- 11/24: Parent-Teacher Conferences
EPE
- 11/23: Parent-Teacher Conferences
- 11/24: Parent-Teacher Conferences
- 12/7: Picture Retake Group A (Livestream students 2:10-3:00)
- 12/8: Picture Retake Group B (Livestream students 2:10-3:00)
WCH
- 11/23: Parent-Teacher Conferences
- 11/24: Parent-Teacher Conferences
Dr. Katherine Dahlsgaard is Founder and Director of Brave is Better, a therapy and consulting service. She is board certified in cognitive and behavioral psychology and is a licensed clinical psychologist with expertise in cognitive behavioral therapy for children, adolescents, and adults. She focuses her efforts on the promotion of evidence-based psychotherapy via her clinical practice, speaking and writing, and consultation and training.
Dr. Dahlsgaard specializes in the evaluation and treatment of anxiety and related disorders. She was previously the Founder and Clinical Director of the Anxiety Behaviors Clinic (ABC) and the Picky Eaters Clinic in the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. She earned her doctorate at the University of Pennsylvania, where she was awardee of the National Science Foundation, and completed her post-doctoral fellowship at NYU's Child Study Center.
Dr. Dahlsgaard also serves as a media expert, educator, writer, lecturer, and keynote speaker. She regularly writes columns for The Philadelphia Inquirer on topics related to mental health and serves on their Health Advisory Panel. She also serves on the NJ American Academy of Pediatrics Task Force on Teen Sleep and School Start Times.
WINTER ATHLETIC SEASON MODIFICATIONS
Following a Mid Penn Conference Athletic Director’s meeting and an EPASD Administration meeting, both held on 11/17/20, the following modifications have been developed for the 2020-2021 winter athletic season:
HIGH SCHOOL
- High school practices will begin 12/1, with (15) practices needing completed prior to 12/18.
- (5) practices must be completed before a scrimmage.
- Non-league games may begin 12/18.
- League games may begin 1/4.
- Schedule revisions are underway.
- A cap has been set at (18) competitions/points for high school, with junior high wrestling included.
- Mid Penn Conference Winter Championships have been canceled.
- High school and junior high wrestling weight certifications will take place on 11/24, from 12:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., in the high school main gym lobby, to ensure that weight certification may be met in a safe/healthy manner. EP wrestlers should use the following sign-up link, which includes safety guidelines for the process:
- https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0E45AAAD23A2F85-hsjr
- All EPASD teams will continue to follow the “Return to Athletics & Activities Safety Guidelines”, as well as, adhere to the PIAA’s “Return to Competition Guidelines – Winter”.
MIDDLE SCHOOL
- Middle school practices will begin 12/1, with (15) practices needing completed prior to 1/4.
- (5) practices must be completed before a scrimmage.
- All games may begin 1/4.
- Schedule revisions are underway.
- A cap has been set at (14) competitions for middle school.
- All EPASD teams will continue to follow the “Return to Athletics & Activities Safety Guidelines”, as well as, adhere to the PIAA’s “Return to Competition Guidelines – Winter”.
GENERAL
- EPASD will continue to follow the spectator guidelines set forth by the PA Government; including admission by percent capacities, wearing a mask, and maintaining social distancing.
- Student-athletes must continue to wear a mask in accordance with current guidelines, arrive with and use their own water bottles, and refill their water bottles only with available filling stations.
Should any future modifications develop, EPASD administration will be sure to communicate those changes in a timely manner.
Panther Pride
EPHS American Education Week Teachers in Action
Virtual Egg Roulette at EPE
Mr. Walsh's class earned a class reward this week! They earned Egg Roulette - where each student chooses a numbered egg for Mr. Walsh to break over his head. 10 eggs were hard boiled and 10 eggs were raw! The students had a blast egging their teacher.
Vitual Learning at WCH
East Pennsboro Township Gingerbread House Contest
PTO Spirit Wear Sale
Looking for that perfect holiday gift for your East Pennsboro student or family member? Check out the EPASD Elementary PTO Spirit Wear Sale!! Featuring new items such as beanies, blankets, vests and zip pull overs!
**Order now through December 4. Delivery/Pick-Up will be on December 12 (location TBD).
Technology Resources
Helpdesk Email for Parents & Students
EPASD Technology Website
Education Foundation Fundraiser
Important Information from our Nursing Staff
Like & Follow on Facebook!
Our new Navy Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (NJROTC) program now has it's own Facebook page. Like & Follow the page for updates, information, and celebration of this wonderful new program at EPASD!
@EPASDNJROTC
Contact Us
Website: epasd.org
Location: 890 Valley Street, Enola, PA, USA
Phone: 717.732.3601
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EastPennsboroASD/
Twitter: @epasd