• To start the school year, students will attend school two days per week, with health and safety measures in place.  Students will  participate in live synchronous instruction on days when students are not in the building.
• Every Keystone Oaks student will be given a Chromebook device this school year. As of September 10, the District is still waiting for a few shipments of new devices. Students are asked to use a personal device if they have one available to them. If they need to borrow a device, they may reach out to their building principal to make the necessary arrangements. 
• Every teacher will utilize Google Classroom as part of their course. This will help ensure that teachers, students, and parents/guardians have working knowledge of the platform should the District need to transition to online learning during the 2020-2021 school year.
• Teachers will regularly use online workbooks and textbooks that accompany physical classroom materials.
• All Keystone Oaks staff members will dedicate time at the beginning of the school year to building relationships with students and to creating a classroom community. Not only will this benefit students in August, but will also be important should a transition to full online learning be necessary during the school year.
• Teachers may continue to provide small group instruction, when feasible, provided that distance is maintained and face coverings are worn.
• Switching between in-person and online instruction is permitted. Students who would like to switch learning options should reach out to their school counselor or building principal.

Option #2: Live Online Synchronous Instruction

• Students will follow a regular school day schedule to ensure that they meet Pennsylvania's requirements for 180 days of instruction. 
• Students will log into a Google Meet session for each class on their schedule and will be able to participate in live instruction.  
• Supplemental materials, assignments, and class announcements will be available via Google Classroom.
• Students may participate in Online Synchronous Instruction temporarily for medical reasons, including while they are quarantined or isolated at home due a positive COVID-19 test or exposure to COVID-19. 
• Student support programs will continue, with special education teacher, school counselors, mental health therapists, English as a Second Language teachers, speech therapists, etc. meeting with students through Google Meet.
• Switching between in-person and online instruction is permitted. Students who would like to switch learning options should reach out to their school counselor or building principal.

Option #3: Keystone Oaks Cyber Academy

Keystone Oaks School District’s partnership with Waterfront Learning allows the District to provide a comprehensive K-12 online program that raises the bar for online learning. The Keystone Oaks Cyber Academy combines the personal attention of the Keystone Oaks School District with the content, tools, and services available from a national online provider. This means that students can stay in the District and can take advantage of opportunities to participate in extracurricular activities, while benefiting from the flexibility of online learning.

The online platform provides flexibility for different learning styles and allows for content customization. In addition, students can expand their learning by enrolling in classes that are not offered traditionally. Students in grades K-5 will take courses through the Pearson platform. Students in grades 6-12 will take courses through Edgenuity. More information about course offerings is available online.

The attention and personalization expected of classroom teachers is what you will find with the online teaching staff. All teachers are highly qualified in their content area, and are observed and supervised using Pennsylvania’s Teacher Effectiveness Rating Tool. All Keystone Oaks Cyber Academy courses are overseen by a Keystone Oaks teacher, helping to maintain a personal connection and to ensure that students are meeting course requirements.

Students enrolled in the Keystone Oaks CyberAcademy will also work closely with a certified school counselor to ensure that all graduation requirements are met and to receive support for pursuing post-secondary options. High School students will continue to work with the District’s Community Service & Career Readiness Advisor to develop a career portfolio and meet community service requirements. Keystone Oaks 6-12 Cyber Academy Coordinator will work directly with students and families to develop a schedule of courses and to monitor student work, mastery of content standards, and time on task.

Students in grades K-5 who are interested in enrolling in Keystone Oaks' Cyber Academy, please contact the principal where your child attends school:

Fred L. Aiken Elementary
Mr. Dave Thomas, Principal
[email protected]
412-571-6000, Option 5

Dormont Elementary School
Mr. Brian Werner, Principal
[email protected]
412-571-6000, Option 4

Mrytle Avenue Elementary School
Mr. Scott Mizikar, Principal
[email protected]
412-571-6000, Option 3

Students in grades 6-12 who are interested in enrolling in Keystone Oaks' Cyber Academy, please contact Mr. Mark Elphinstone, Cyber Academy Coordinator, via e-mail - [email protected]

• All students must wear a face covering (cloth mask or face shield) that covers their nose and mouth inside the school and while outside when physical distancing is not feasible.
• Children two years and older are required to wear a face covering unless they have a medical or mental health condition or disability, documented in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act or IDEA, that precludes the wearing of a face covering in school. Accommodations for such students should be made in partnership with the student's health care provider, school nurse, and IEP/504 team.
• Teach students and families how to properly wear a face covering (cover nose and mouth), to maintain hand hygiene when removing the face covering for meals and physical activity, and how to replace and maintain (washing regularly) a cloth face covering.
• Schools may allow students to remove face coverings when students are:
  • Eating or drinking when spaced at least 6 feet apart; or
  • When wearing a face covering creates an unsafe condition in which to operate equipment or execute a task; or
  • At least 6 feet apart during “face-covering breaks” to last no longer than 10 minutes.
  • Transparent face coverings provide the opportunity for more visual cues and should be especially considered as an alternative for younger students, students who are deaf and hard of hearing, and their teachers.
    
    
• Click here to read full order on the Department of Education's website.