On October 28, 2021, Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) Secretary Dr. Noe Ortega visited Waverly Elementary School in Abington Heights School District to highlight how students in the region are staying healthy and safe during an unprecedented new school year, and encourage them to adopt healthy, lifelong hygiene habits.

“The past two years have been anything but normal, so it is refreshing to get back into the classroom to interact with students as they’re learning in person,” said Sec. Ortega. “I applaud Abington Heights School District and Waverly Elementary School for their efforts to keep students and teachers safe and get back to learning, socialization, and activities.” 

During the event, Sec. Ortega read the book “A Germ’s Journey” to a first-grade class. The book, written in 2011 by Thom Rooke, MD and illustrated by Tony Trimmer, teaches children the importance of good hygiene practices like washing their hands and covering coughs and sneezes. 

Throughout the 2020-21 school year, PDE regularly provided technical assistance and guidance to local education agencies (LEAs) to support instruction while navigating the pandemic, and PDE will continue to support LEAs as they navigate the 2021-22 school year. This includes through the latest chapter of PDE’s Roadmap for Education Leaders; Accelerated Learning through an Integrated System of Support. This toolkit includes a professional learning series for school leaders and educators to help address students’ learning loss and other issues caused by the pandemic. 

Additionally, PDE has sent regular correspondence to schools with up-to-date processes, procedures, and information as it develops. Those updates can be accessed on the What’s New page on PDE’s website.  

Currently, students 12 and older are eligible and encouraged to get vaccinated against COVID-19, which is one of the best ways to keep students learning in-person. The state Department of Health is working to ensure the vaccine is provided in a way that is ethical, equitable, and efficient to all Pennsylvanians. Use Vaccine Finder to find a COVID-19 vaccine provider near you.