84 Philly Public Schools Go Remote Amid Omicron COVID Surge

PHILADELPHIA — More than 80 School District of Philadelphia schools have shifted to virtual learning due to staffing issues related to the coronavirus, the district said.

In total, 84 of the 323 district schools went to virtual learning Tuesday. These schools will continue virtual learning through the week.

The news comes the day after multiple suburban districts, including Lower Merion and Upper Darby, announced plans to go remote.

See the full list of virtual schools online here.

"As we’ve always said, our goal is to keep the District open so we can surround our young people with the caring educators and support services they need – as long as we can do so safely," said Superintendent William R. Hite, Jr., Ed.D. "District leaders have been meeting regularly with local public health officials to monitor the COVID-19 situation, and we’ve also been closely tracking data to determine COVID’s impact on staff coverage in schools. We will continue to do this and make school-by-school decisions based on the latest available data."

Principals will communicate directly with students and families with information regarding virtual instruction.

Staff at these schools are still expected to report to work in person unless they are self-isolating or quarantining due to COVID testing or exposure, have COVID-like symptoms and are awaiting test results, or have an approved leave. Staff in these categories who are able to provide virtual instruction from home may do so after confirming arrangements with their school leaders.

In alignment with guidance from the Philadelphia Department of Public Health and current staffing assessments, all other District-led schools are open for in-person learning.

The extensive health and safety protocols that have been in place in all district buildings since the start of the school year will continue to be enforced.

These safety measures included:

• Mandatory mask wearing for students and staff regardless of vaccination status;
• vaccine requirements for staff and student-athletes;
• weekly COVID-19 testing for employees and on-site COVID-19 testing for students who present with COVID-like symptoms during the school day;
• enhanced cleaning protocols during the school day and for several hours after the school day ends at every school using EPA-approved cleaning products;
• air & surface purifiers in all instructional spaces, gyms, cafeterias and offices;
• maintaining touchless hand sanitizer stations and school supplies to support frequent hand washing and sanitizing by students and staff

Students who are part of the schools that are temporarily shifting to virtual learning and who need technology support can visit one of the District’s three Parent and Family Tech Support Centers or contact the Tech Support Hotline at 215-400-4444 or FamilyTechSupport@philasd.org.

The district is unable to stand up grab-and-go meal distribution sites to support schools that are temporarily shifting to virtual instruction. However, families can visit the city's website here to find food or meal distribution sites in Philadelphia.

"The COVID-19 situation and its impact on our ability to safely staff our schools is fast moving," said Hite. "We know that the uncertainties created by this rapidly changing environment are difficult for many families. We are grateful for everyone's continued flexibility and understanding."

Editor's Note: This story has been updated to include more schools that have shifted to virtual learning.