Indiana Area and River Valley welcome students to school today, becoming the final two Indiana County districts to open their academic year. Like the other five county-based districts, they will have five-day in-person instruction for all grades. Also as in the other districts, mask wearing will be optional, except on school buses, where it is mandatory, according to the law.
In a public letter posted last week, Indiana Superintendent Michael Vuckovich emphasizes that “The Indiana Area School District strongly recommends that all individuals wear masks…especially for unvaccinated staff and students, immunocompromised students and staff, as well as students under the age of 12. Vuckovich adds that the district “respectfully (requests) that families voluntarily provide Covid vaccine receipt cards to their child(ren)’s school health office.”
At River Valley School District, history will be made today with the first day of classes combining the former Blairsville and Saltsburg middle-high schools. The two ends of the district were merged at the secondary level over the summer, with classes in Blairsville building, and ongoing plans to convert the Saltsburg building into a STEAM academy.
River Valley has posted a letter to its website seeking public input on how the district should spend its $2.6 million in emergency relief funds from the American Rescue Plan. The money must be used to address student learning recovery and the ongoing impact of the pandemic. The district is asking for the return of a survey on the issue by September 15th and will post its plans for the funds by the end of the month.
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