Shaler Area School District families can participate in a virtual conference to help navigate the unique back-to-school experience brought on by the coronavirus.

Sponsored by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, the remote workshop will be from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on Aug. 19.

“Together at Home: Back2School” aims to help students through shifting guidelines, new routines and the district’s decision to begin classes online for the first four weeks.

Topics will be addressed in 20-minute sessions in a conversational format. To join the session, visit pattan.net/events/ and select the Back2School workshop.

The school board on Aug. 6 voted to start the school year with a 100% virtual learning plan.

The board will meet Aug. 19 to vote on pushing the start of school from Aug. 26 to Sept. 8 to allow more time for professional development and technology distribution.

In other news, free breakfasts and lunches for students will be available for pick-up from Aug. 17 to Sept. 4.

Meals will be doled out from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Friday at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 66 Grant St., in Etna.

Participants are asked to be mindful of social distancing. No congregating at the church is allowed.

Meals will be available for children 18 and younger on a first-come, first-served basis.

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