Monday, March 16, 2020 

As you know, under the guidance of the PA Governor schools are currently closed through Sunday, March 29th.  During this time we encourage our students to participate in enrichment activities. Elementary students brought enrichment packets home Friday and secondary students have either paper or online enrichment activities.  In addition, we have added a resource link titled “Tulpy Enrichment Activities” or on our website www.tulpehocken.org

Free Grab-and-Go bagged lunches and breakfast items will be available at Bethel and Penn-Bernville Elementary Schools for pick up from 11am-12pm on Thursday, March 19th, Monday, March 23rd, and Thursday, March 26th for all Tulpehocken Area School District students.  We would ask that you sign up via a Google Form on our district website (click here) or call 717-900-3406 if you are interested in the grab-and-go option.  Please leave the name of the students in the household, and if you will be picking up at Bethel or Penn-Bernville Elementary.  Grab-and-Go bags will be available outside cafeteria entrances.  

As we move through the next two weeks, we will continue to provide updates to everyone.  Questions about prom, graduation, end of the marking period, report cards, end of the school year, etc have yet to be answered.  This is unchartered territory that all school districts are navigating and we will answer these questions when we have more direction and information.

At this time we will plan to return back to school on Monday, March 30, 2020.  Over the next two weeks we will continue to provide updates as they become available.  

Additional COVID-19 Information;

For school closures to be effective it is important to follow the recommendations of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  These recommendations include:  

• Clean your hands often:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.

• If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. 

• Avoid close contact:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick

• Put distance between yourself and other people if COVID-19 is spreading in your community. This is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.

• Cover coughs and sneezes

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.

• Throw used tissues in the trash.

• Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

• Clean and disinfect

• Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.

• If surfaces are dirty, clean them: Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.

• Avoid mass gatherings for the next 8 weeks, cancel in-person events that consist of 50 people or more.