UPDATE: West Philadelphia High School and 62 other public schools will be closed tomorrow (Friday, March 13) due to staffing shortage after Governor Wolf’s announcement earlier today regarding measures to reduce the spread of the coronavirus in Montgomery County. Eleven percent of Philadelphia School District employees live in Montgomery County.

On Thursday, the School District of Philadelphia announced a plan that should help keep its students and staff safer as the COVID-19 (coronavirus) public health matter evolves. Beginning Friday, March 13, activities where large groups are gathered will be limited, including athletic contests, plays, concerts, as well as work-related travel for staff and school-sponsored trips through spring break.

Athletic practices will be permitted, but games will be postponed until further notice. All school-sponsored trips and work-related travel is postponed at this time unless approved by the superintendent. 

“The School District of Philadelphia has been working closely with the Philadelphia Department of Public Health on how we can safely continue learning and instruction during this public health matter,” Superintendent William R. Hite said today during a press-conference with Mayor Jim Kenney and Philadelphia Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley. “We will continue to follow the advice of public health officials and remain committed to the health and safety of our entire school community.”

In addition, the District’s Board of Education is also putting some temporary measures in place until further notice, starting with its March 19 committee meetings. Meetings will continue to be held as scheduled, but all meetings will be held in the District auditorium to allow for social distancing. All members of the public are encouraged to watch meetings via live-steam (philasd.org/live).

Students and staff who have recently traveled to locations identified as coronavirus Level 2 or higher countries are now required to self-report their travel. Those individuals will also be required to self-quarantine for 14 days before returning to school or work.

The District has also begun and will continue the enhanced cleaning of all schools, which includes additional general cleaners on-site at 8 a.m. each day in addition to regular cleaning staff who will be on-site until approximately 8 p.m. The interiors of school buses are also cleaned each day after morning and afternoon routes. Additionally, all schools have been equipped with disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizer stations.

“…At this time, there are no plans to close District schools, per the recommendation of PDPH,” Hite said. “We know that closing schools would have a significant impact on our students who depend on the consistency and predictability of the services our schools provide, including meals, shelter and health services. For these reasons, every effort will be made to keep our doors open.”

The District has created a website dedicated to providing information about COVID-19, available at philasd.org/coronavirus.