Lower Merion Schools To Keep In-Person Learning After Holidays

LOWER MERION TOWNSHIP, PA — Despite coronavirus outbreaks at one of its schools and increasing coronavirus cases in the region, the Lower Merion School District said it will have student learning in person after the holidays.

In a letter to the district community, Superintendent Khalid Mumin said all schools will reopen with in-person learning on Jan. 3 after the winter break.

"Despite the recent surge in positive cases of COVID-19 in our school community, LMSD is still experiencing very little in-school transmission," Mumin said. "The outbreaks that we have seen are related to participation in activities that we know have increased risk, such as basketball and performances."

While the district plans to have full in-person learning, Mumin said students should take their devices home with them in the event the district closes schools and shifts to virtual learning.

"As a precaution, we are recommending that students take home their devices prior to break, so they have them at home should circumstances change," he said.

Mumin urged district families to be vigilant during the break and to wear masks, social distance, and wash hands.

He also encouraged district families to get vaccinated and possibly booster shots.

The district's coronavirus mitigation protocols — including mandatory masking for everyone in district buildings and on district buses — will be in place at least through Jan. 31, 2022.

"We will continue to ask everyone to use the screening tool every day before deciding whether to come to school and report any positive cases in your household to the COVID Healthline at 610-645-1973 or healthservices@lmsd.org," Mumin said.