August 3, 2020
Dear Parents and Guardians,
We promised that we would keep you updated as the COVID-19 pandemic evolves. After long days spent discussing how to keep students and staff safe, it has become clear that in-person instruction is no longer a possibility for the first quarter of school. The numbers continue to rise in Allegheny County, and we cannot in good conscience risk a single life in the UPCS community. UPCS 6-12 is going virtual for the first quarter of the school year. The first day of remote learning will be August 28. Our virtual learning plan aligns with our standards, but we are also subject to Pittsburgh Public Schools and the PA Department of Education, as well as CDC guidelines.
Though we are saddened that we will not be able to see each other, we are excited that students and teachers will be able to put their full effort into virtual learning excellence and establishing routines for success. Virtual learning for the new school year will look very different from virtual learning in Quarter 4. At that time, everyone did their best to survive as well as possible after the unexpected closure. Our teachers have been training all summer to make sure our virtual classes are organized to teach the curriculum as intended, as well as address learning that was lost. Most importantly, students will attend live virtual classes each and every school day. Being on time for each class for daily attendance will be just as important as if we had been in the building. With our commitment to supporting students in reaching grade-level goals, mailing of packets will not be an option this school year. Please contact the administration if you need assistance in getting your household connected to the internet.
You and your child will be invited to a mandatory virtual orientation in August to discuss the 2020 – 2021 school year, official start date, and new expectations. The schedule for picking up your child’s computer, books, daily class schedule, and other necessary items to begin the school year is as follows:
August 26 – Grades 6-8
Grade 6 from 9:00-11:00
Grade 7 from 11:00-1:00
Grade 8 from 1:00-3:00
August 27 – Grades 9-10
Grade 9 from 9:00-11:00
Grade 10 from 11:00-1:00
August 28 – Grades 11-12
Grade 11 from 9:00-11:00
Grade 12 from 11:00-1:00
As we stated in our last letter, our goal is getting students into the building full time as soon as it is safe. We will be reassessing the situation at the end of September for a possible scaffolded/hybrid return to the school building when Quarter 2 begins in November.
We miss you, stay safe, and we hope to see you soon!
Sincerely,
Kathleen A. Garland, Principal