Thomas Jefferson High School students will attend class remotely through Dec. 1 as exposure to covid-19 cases rise in the West Jefferson Hills School District.

Superintendent Michael Ghilani alerted families through a letter that the high school would begin 100% virtual learning on Nov. 16.

This came after the district was notified of a positive case traced to last week’s tennis banquet and powder puff game.

“Because of contact tracing and the sheer numbers we are dealing with, we are looking at quarantining well over 100 students,” Ghilani said.

For the safety of all students and staff, Ghilani said it is best to err on the side of caution and move the high school to an entirely remote learning model.

A return date of Dec. 2 allows enough time to quarantine and directs the district on how to track additional cases.

Athletics and activities that have not been a part of quarantining will be allowed to continue, Ghilani said

There are no active student cases in the elementary or middle schools, and there is no plan to change learning models in those buildings as long as cases remain low to zero.

“It is our belief that kids are safer in school than outside of school as a result of all of the mitigation steps that we are taking, and they are always wearing face coverings,” Ghilani said.

Just two days ago, the high school girls swim team was shut down for two weeks, and the girls basketball team indefinitely after learning that several players may have been exposed to the coronavirus.

Ghilani said the district is trying to sort through several possible covid-19 cases at the high school, with one potential case involving an adult that is in quarantine who is involved with the fall play. Others are related to the marching band.

The district switched the high school to full-remote learning for one day on Nov. 13 and canceled all after-school activities at the building so it could be cleaned and sanitized.

Ghilani said he was notified during a meeting with the state Department of Education and the Allegheny County Health Department that for the first time since July, the county was considered in the substantial category for community transmissions.

The recommendation is that after two consecutive weeks of falling within that range, schools should strongly consider going virtual.

Ghilani said it is highly likely he will be notified on Friday that Allegheny County is once again in the substantial category.

“We are committed to doing what is best for our students and keeping them in school, but can only be successful with everyone’s cooperation,” he said.

“I implore everyone to please wear a face covering, practice physical distancing and stay home with any symptoms.”

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