June 4, 2020
Dear Beaver County Students and Families,

We want to thank everyone for your patience, flexibility, and understanding during these uncertain times. The last few months were unlike any that we had ever seen in our lifetimes and we hope that you and your families are safe and healthy as our country heals from all that it has faced. We realize that as the school year closes the traditional summer excitement is being replaced with questions and uncertainty surrounding what lies ahead. We are as anxious as you are to get your children back to their typical routine and for everyone to return to a sense of normalcy.

We, as educators and school leaders, are continuing to work together as we receive guidance from our state and federal leaders. We are engaged with regional experts to gather more information and determine our next steps. And, we know that while one size does not fit all, we must look at what is best for the county and focus on how all Districts come together to support our students, families, and communities.

This week the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) released initial guidance on school re-opening. This guidance is expected to be the first of many releases throughout the month of June. We are anticipating another release by the PDE in mid-June, along with recommendations from some of the leading public education associations across the

state. Today, we want to assure you that we are reviewing this information, awaiting future releases, and beginning to formulate a way for our Districts to work together in planning for the 2020 – 2021 school year. The work we do together will help lay the groundwork for what is needed throughout the schools of Beaver County and will then be complemented with specific guidelines for each individual District. 

We recognize that school is often a place of comfort and normalcy for our children and the closure has caused significant disruption to daily schedules. We know that this virus has implications that are unique to each family and we must take that into account when planning for the future. We wanted to reassure our communities that we are actively monitoring the issuance of recommendations from the PDE and the PA Department of Health, so we may utilize those resources to collectively and productively plan for the 2020 – 2021 school year. 

Beaver County school leaders will continue to work together to help guide our educational communities through these challenging times. We will continue to provide updates as information becomes available. It is our sincere hope that the disruptions of this school year will be temporary and that we will soon be able to get back to doing what we do best, upholding our District’s educational mission for our students. We appreciate your patience as we adapt to these unusual circumstances. Ensuring that we are a healthy community must remain our top priority until this threat has passed. 

Thank you,

Dr. Jane Bovalino, Superintendent Rochester Area School District

Mr. Alan R. Fritz, Jr., Superintendent South Side Area School District

Dr. Joseph A. Guarino, Superintendent New Brighton Area School District

Dr. Donna Nugent, Superintendent Big Beaver Falls Area School District

Dr. Joseph Pasquerilla, Superintendent Ambridge Area School District

Dr. Eric Rosendale, Executive Director Beaver Valley Intermediate Unit #27

Mr. Sean D. Tanner, Superintendent Midland Borough School District

Mr. David A. Wytiaz, Administrative Director Beaver County Career & Technology Center

Dr. Peter Carbone, Superintendent Aliquippa School District

Dr. Jeffrey A. Fuller, Superintendent Freedom Area School District

Dr. Michelle Miller, Superintendent Hopewell Area School District

Dr. Nicholas Perry, Superintendent Central Valley School District

Dr. Robert H. Postupac, Superintendent Blackhawk Area School District and Western Beaver County School District

Dr. Carrie Rowe, Superintendent Beaver Area School District

Mr. Bret Trotta, Superintendent Riverside Beaver County School District