Dear Shamokin Area School District Families:

I would like to start by thanking you for your ongoing support and cooperation during these unprecedented times.  As things continue to evolve with the COVID-19 outbreak, we will continue to adjust our plans accordingly and keep you updated throughout this situation.  In the meantime, I would like to share the following updates:

Continuity of Education Plan

The Shamokin Area School District is committed to providing Continuity of Education throughout the duration of school closures due to the pandemic.  Beginning Monday, March 30, we will be providing Enrichment and Review for our students. Our teachers and staff will continue to meet the needs of our students by analyzing and reflecting on students’ prior learning.  They will develop materials and informal activities to reinforce or extend students’ prior learning. These materials and informal activities will be shared with families through the best method possible for each family.  Teachers and staff will have frequent communication with families and will continue to meet the needs of our students to the greatest extent possible during this unprecedented time. We want to stay connected to our students and families.

Google Classroom

Shamokin Area School District faculty have created Google Classrooms for each course/class they teach.  Teachers will post classroom review and enrichment materials/resources/informal activities through Google Classroom.  Additionally, teachers will be available to communicate with students and families via email, Zoom, Remind, and phone.  Parents and students are directed to our website under the COVID-19 Student Enrichment and Review Resources page. Once there, you will find information for joining your teachers’ Google Classroom to obtain various resources and activities each day.  Please keep in mind that this is not mandatory and will not be graded. It is solely to give our students the opportunity to maintain skills while away from the regular school environment. With that being said, we strongly encourage all students to do their best to complete the material.  If you are not able to access Google Classroom, please email your child’s teacher.

Packet Work

For families with limited or no access to technology, Shamokin Area School District staff will provide printed enrichment and review packets.  Please call your school’s Principal’s Office between 10 am and 2 pm Monday through Friday to make other arrangements for obtaining these resources and activities.  Shamokin Area School District staff will ensure that materials are delivered to families as needed.  

Teacher/Staff General Expectations

Teacher/staff expectations will be similar to normal staff expectations, when buildings are not physically closed, as much as possible.  Staff will plan for activities for all students each day (Monday – Friday). In grade levels Pre-K through 4, teachers will provide one ELA (30 minutes per day) and one Math (30 minutes per day) activity for students.  In grades 5 through 12, teachers will provide one activity per subject area taught (15 minutes per day per subject). Additionally, all students will have one activity per week relating to Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and one activity per week relating to Career Readiness.  Teachers/staff will provide families with access to supplemental and enrichment resources. Teachers/staff are to communicate frequently with families and regularly check email (replying within 24 hours). Special education timelines will be monitored and to the greatest extent possible, teachers/staff will conduct required meetings (virtually/phone).  All staff will continue to have regular communication with their supervisors.

Student Expectations

Students are expected to participate in activities daily and complete work to the best of their ability.  Students should establish daily routines for engagement and be responsible for independent learning while maintaining a positive mindset.  Students are expected to conduct themselves with academic integrity and comply with internet safety and online etiquette. Work can be reviewed by teachers but will not be graded.  Students and families are strongly encouraged to communicate regularly with staff should they have specific questions or needs.

Special Education

Teachers/staff will collaborate with team members to develop student specific resources and activities for students and families to access during the closure.  Teachers/staff will establish and maintain communication with families and students when possible via telephone, virtual meetings, and email. Teachers/staff will document communication for each individual student.  Teachers/staff will provide students and families with access to supplemental and enriching online resources. Teachers/staff will monitor special education document timelines and when possible conduct required meetings remotely (virtually/phone).  If you have any further questions or concerns, you may also contact Mrs. Sherry Glosek, Supervisor of Special Education, at sglosek@indians.k12.pa.us.

State Assessments

All PSSA testing and Keystone exams for the 2019-20 school year have been cancelled by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.  Additionally, standardized testing for students in career and technical education (CTE) programs for the 2019-20 school year have been cancelled.  On March 20, The College Board posted some very important information concerning this year's AP Exams. AP Exams will not be conducted face-to-face this year and tests will be adjusted to reflect school closures.  Please visit www.collegeboard.org for more information.

End of the 3rd Marking Period

Due to the uncertainty of what may lie ahead with school closures, we have decided to end the third marking period.  Report cards tentatively will be distributed sometime during the first few weeks of April.

School Calendar

Act 13 of 2020 waives the 180-day requirement for schools.  We will continue to monitor this situation and await further guidance from governmental agencies in order to determine an updated calendar as soon as possible.

Graduation and Prom (End of Year Activities)

We understand that this is an extremely trying time for everyone.  Aside from the worry of this pandemic, we also worry about what will happen with the many memorable experiences that occur during this time of the school year - musical, spring sports, concerts, dances, field trips, prom, awards, banquets, and graduation.  Many of these events are “once in a lifetime” events. It is our intention to do our best to provide these moments to our students instead of cancelling them (if at all possible). As soon as we determine our plans for these events, we will be sure to communicate them to you.

Meals

Grab n Go Meals will continue to be distributed on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm at the Shamokin Area Annex parking lot/playground. (See below for flyer)

Resources

There are several resources listed on our website.  Please note that the resources contained within the site are purely optional, and students who do not complete these activities will not fall behind, nor will they be penalized.  Our primary concern is for the health and well-being of our students, families, staff, and community. 

In addition to your child’s teacher(s), administrators, counselors, nurses, occupational therapists, behavior specialists, speech therapists, gifted teachers, English as a Second Language teacher, psychologists, special education teachers, and social workers are also available during the day via email. Feel free to contact them as needed to provide support and respond to your questions or concerns.

Administrative Contacts 

Chris J. Venna, Superintendent, cvenna@indians.k12.pa.us

Mary Teresa Komara, Curriculum Coordinator, mtkomara@indians.k12.pa.us

Sherry Glosek, Supervisor of Special Education, sglosek@indians.k12.pa.us

Todd Hockenbroch, MS/HS Principal, thockenbroch@indians.k12.pa.us

Henry Hynoski, Dean of Students, hhynoski@indians.k12.pa.us

Rick Kashner, Athletic Director, rkashner@indians.k12.pa.us

Mike Keefer, Elementary Principal, mkeefer@indians.k12.pa.us

Anthony Carnuccio, Elementary Assistant Principal, acarnuccio@indians.k12.pa.us

Once again, I want to thank you all for your patience and cooperation.  It is truly an honor to be your Superintendent. Together, we will get through this.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. And remember to please stay safe.

Sincerely,

Chris J. Venna

Superintendent

Below are links that have up-to-date information concerning the Coronavirus.

Click here for Shamokin Area School District FAQs Associated with COVID

Click HERE For Coronavirus FAQs

Click HERE for a Statment from the PIAA on Coronavirus

CDC – https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/

WHO – https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019