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Pine-Richland School District - Return to School
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - Parents

COMMUNICATION & CLOSING SCHOOL

Q: What is the threshold (number of cases) for closing a school building? A district? Community
Cases?
A: The district is working with the Allegheny County Health Department and the PA Department of
Health. As more information becomes available, we will share via FAQs and/or website.

Q: Is it possible for one building in the district to be closed while the rest remain open?
A: Yes, it is possible that one building may be closed while others in the district remain open. This
could occur for a variety of reasons.

Q: How will I know if my school or the district is closed?
A: Communication about closures would be sent via rapid call/rapid email, via the website, and if
possible through the TV news media (KDKA, WPXI, & WTAE). If in doubt refer to the district website.
We encourage you to avoid downloading tv media apps as they have been unreliable in the past.

Q: What if there is a case of COVID in my child’s building?
A: Pine-Richland School District will follow Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) regarding
communication. ACHD will handle contacting individual families.

Q: Will the district let me know if there was a COVID case in my child’s classroom?
While the district cannot be specific, the district will follow the communication protocol set forth by the
Allegheny County Health Department. The district cannot identify specific students because they must
balance public interest with the privacy rights of individuals.

Q: Can I know if my child’s classmates, bus mates, teammates, or teacher was diagnosed with
COVID-19? Will you alert families?
A: No. Personal health information is strictly confidential. You will not be informed if an individual is
sick with COVID-19 unless, through contact tracing, it is discovered that you were exposed to the
individual. The district will send out general notices when/if individuals become ill, but will not disclose
personal information.

Q: Can you tell me the number of individuals, students, or staff who have tested positive at a
particular location?
A: No, for the same reasons listed above.

Health-Related Questions

Parental/Guardian Expectations

Q: How can families assist daily in monitoring student health?
A: Having families monitor their own children's health is of critical importance. Parents/guardians
must take their children’s temperature daily and watch for symptoms.

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