COVID-19 FAQs

Please check this page frequently.  It will be updated as new information is available.  The most recent updates were added on 3/25/20.

Q:  When will we return to school?

A:  As of now, Governor Wolf has indicated an indefinite time of return for PA school.  Students will be receiving online instruction on April 6.  Teachers are now providing supplemental instruction (review & enrichment) until we start new material for students on April 6.  

Q:  What happens if the state extends the school closure?

A:  If this happens, the district is working on plans for digital learning.

Q:  Will the third marking period be extended?

A:  Yes.  Marking Period 3 will end on April 6 at 3:00 PM.  Until then, students may turn if missed work, if their teacher allows.  

Q:  Has the musical (Mary Poppins) been rescheduled?

A:  No.  The new TENTATIVE dates were scheduled Thursday, April 9 at 7:00 pm, Friday, April 10 at 7:00 pm and Saturday, April 11 at 2:00 pm. However, because of the extension by the Governor, the musical will be moved to a later date. Hope and Noreen are working to find a date for the show.  

Q:  When is the money due for the Elementary/Middle School/High School Spring Pictures?

A:  Picture money acceptance will be extended and a new date will be announced once school has resumed.  If you still have your order form at home, you are welcome to use the online option.

Q:  What are my options for meals/food during the shutdown?

A:  It is being arranged for GEM bags to be provided but will need to be picked up by families at the Fulton County Food Basket on Woodside Drive, McConnellsburg. Bags will be provided to students, regardless of school-age (Middle School and High School as well as Elementary). Please contact Sue Cubbage at the food basket at 717-485-5688 for more information.  

The Fulton County Food Basket and the McConnellsburg United Methodist Church are offering student breakfast and lunches on Monday thru Thursday.    Watch for Facebook notification or call the Food Basket.  

Q:  Will the National Honor Society Banquet still take place?

A:  This banquet will be rescheduled once school has resumed.

Q:  How do we submit the applications for Camp Cadet?

A:  Applications will still be due on March 20 at the Pennsylvania State Police Barracks at 500 Fulton Drive in McConnellsburg, PA.  They may also be mailed to kfalkosky@pa.gov.

All applications previously submitted to the school have already been delivered to Corporal Falkosky.

Q:  What is the status of the PTSO fundraiser conducted recently by elementary students?

A:  The PTSO has made the decision to submit, sort and distribute the Bedford Candies fundraiser.  The parent pickup will be at the Alumni Bldg on Friday 4-3 from 9AM to 6 PM and Saturday 4-4 from 9AM to 1PM

Please drive up to the old gym entrance at the Alumni Bldg and remain in your car  where your order will be delivered to you.  Precautions will be taken by the 4 volunteers assisting with the fundraiser. They will be monitored by an RN each day and will be wearing masks and gloves.

**UPDATED March 31, 2019 @ 3:36 pm

Q:  Are elementary students included in the hours on March 18 and March 19 to retrieve personal belongings in the school?

A:  At this time elementary students are not to return to the building for any personal items.  Time will be designated for this in the future, depending upon the future school calendar.

Q:  What if I have scheduled a registration time for a new 4K or 5K student on March 31 or April 1?

A:  If the school district has not returned to a normal operating schedule by those dates, your appointment is canceled and will be rescheduled once we have returned to school.

Q:  How can I contact the school?

A:  Right now, we do not have anyone answering our phones.  It is best to use the person’s email you are trying to reach.  Most personnel have emails that start with their first initial and full last name followed by @cfsd.info.  You can search the staff directory here to find out more.

Q:  Will the students still be required to take the state’s standardized tests?

A:  The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) announced the cancelation of all PSSA testing and Keystone Exams for the 2019-2020 school year. This includes the Pennsylvania Alternate System of Assessment (PASA).

Q:  What does the closure mean for AP exams?

A:  The College Board has announced a modification to their AP exams and process for spring 2020.  Exams will be given electronically to students at home with designated dates to be announced on April 3.  The exams will be abridged to only be inclusive of material through March, as per the College Board designated AP Curriculum guide.  The College Board is sharing resources for exam preparation with students.

Q:  Will the career and technical education (CTE) students be required to take the NOCTI and/or NIMS? 

A: PDE has announced the cancelation of all NOCTI and NIMS exams for the 2019-2020 school year.

 

Q:  Are the district’s coaches and/or directors allowed to practice with their students during this closure?

A:  No.

Q: What is the status of the AVTS fundraiser conducted recently by Vo Tech students?

The pizza fundraiser for the vo tech is rescheduled for April 20th and stored until a distribution date can be scheduled. If we are not in session during this time, then we will provide you with an update.

Q:  Is the State SkillsUSA Competition scheduled for April 15-17th still on?

No, the State SkillsUSA Competition has been canceled for this year.  

Special Education/Gifted Education/504 (updated 3/24/2020)

*My child’s IEP, GIEP or 504 plan is due for renewal.  When will this occur?

-When the district reopens, whether physically or virtually, your child’s special education teacher, gifted teacher or case manager will be in touch to reschedule and convene a meeting with as many team members as possible.  Your child’s plan will be discussed and updated to reflect the delivery of instruction and services that are possible and accessible at that date and time.  From that meeting, a draft IEP, GIEP or 504 plan will be shared with you in an electronic format.

*My child’s evaluation or reevaluation is due.  When will I receive this report?

-When the district reopens, whether physically or virtually, our school psychologist or your child’s case manager will be in touch to reschedule and convene a meeting with as many team members as possible.  The results of your child’s evaluation or reevaluation will be discussed and incorporated into their IEP, GIEP or 504 plan, as appropriate.  You will receive a draft IEP, GIEP or 504 plan as a result of this evaluation/re-evaluation in an electronic format.

*How will the district deliver my child’s services and instruction as per their IEP, GIEP or 504 plan?

-When the district reopens, your child’s case manager or teacher will be in touch with you regarding the delivery of instruction.  If instruction is delivered virtually, the case manager/teacher will inquire about the technology and phone and internet access you have available to you in the home setting.  Based on your accessibility, each teacher/case manager will explain how instruction will be delivered to meet the individual needs of your child.

*When will I receive my child’s special/gifted education or 504 paperwork?

-At this time, there is no accessibility to the school or district buildings.  Your child’s teacher/case manager will make every effort to send paperwork in an electronic format (i.e. email) once the district reopens.  When teachers/staff are able to access the building, you will receive a hard copy of the paperwork in the mail.

Internet Access  (updated 3/27/2020)

Q:  How can I access the Internet if I don’t have it at home?

A1:  There are many companies offering discounts or free access to the internet during the pandemic.  Here are some resources to help:

  • Xfinity WiFi hotspots located in out of home locations like small businesses will be available to anyone who needs them for free — including non-Xfinity Internet customers. See our Xfinity WiFi hotspot map. Once at a hotspot, consumers should select the "xfinitywifi" network name in the list of available hotspots, and then launch a browser.

  • Comcast/Xfinity is looking for ways to help through our Internet Essentials program, the nation's largest and most comprehensive broadband adoption program for low-income Americans. Effective March 16, we are putting in place two substantial program enhancements to help these families deal with this crisis.

  • We will make it even easier for low-income families who live in a Comcast service area to sign up by offering new customers 60 days of complimentary Internet Essentials service, which is normally available to all qualified low-income households for $9.95/month.

  • We are increasing Internet speeds for the Internet Essentials service from 15/2 Mbps to 25/3 Mbps for all new and existing customers, which will be the speed of the service going forward. In this way, we will ensure that Internet Essentials customers will be able to use their Internet service for all their increased needs as a result of this health crisis.

  • We want to make it as fast and simple as possible to access this service:

  • To receive the increased Internet speeds, existing customers will not need to do anything.

  • For new customers, applicants can simply visit www.internetessentials.com. The accessible website also includes the option to video chat with customer service agents in American Sign Language. There are also two dedicated phone numbers 1-855-846-8376 for English and 1-855-765-6995 for Spanish.

A2:  Public access at local businesses.

  • McDonald’s offers free WiFi, which you can access from their parking lot.  

  • The Fulton County Library is offering free access from their parking lot.  The password is library999. You can also access Wi-Fi from the Hustontown Library (no password needed).

A3:  Access the Internet from the school parking lot.  You should park in the spaces closest to the building (bus zone for Elementary, visitor/admin parking at the middle/high school).  Student devices will automatically connect to the proper wifi (just like in the classroom).  The public can access the “CFSD Public Wifi” network on non-school devices.  PLEASE REMEMBER TO FOLLOW SOCIAL DISTANCING GUIDELINES and stay in your vehicle.

A4:  We are working to get mobile hotspots for students who don’t have any other options.  These run on the Sprint mobile network.  Of course, these are in very high demand and we’re not sure when our provider can deliver hotspots.  Please contact your child’s teacher if you have no other means to get the Internet and need a hotspot.