January 29, 2021

Dear Pottstown Parents and Guardians,

Please take note of two important announcements:

1. Starting immediately, all adult visitors to our schools will require some form of Picture Identification. The district has secured through grant funding, a computerized visitor system which features several safeguards to protect our students and staff. This is a part of our security improvement efforts, which began several years ago, and is standard protocol in most public schools. We do not believe this new system will be disruptive moving forward, but please remember when visiting to bring picture ID.

2. There is a pending weather event that may occur on Monday. Please remember to check email, phone, social media or the website for information regarding cancellations or changes in student schedules. Remember that if there is an “asynchronous day” schedule change, that students are responsible to log in and complete work, but may also contact teachers or staff for support.

Thank you for your continued support and cooperation during the toughest times in our country and community for over a generation.

Thank You and Stay Safe,

Stephen Rodriguez
Superintendent of Schools

January 15, 2021

Dear Pottstown Parents and Guardians,

The health and safety concerns of COVID during 2020 sadly have carried into the new year and cause continuing safety and programming concerns. We will continue the virtual model of instruction through the 3rd marking period which ends on March 24, 2021. Our limited in-person instruction will continue for those students who are currently receiving these services.

We recognize that these times are tough for students and families. We also celebrate the many successes our students have been experiencing. Please continue to communicate with your teacher and building administrators with any questions or concerns. Like you, I look forward to the day when we can all safely return to smiling faces and classrooms filled with eager students and teachers. Our cooperative effort will speed us to that day.

Thank You and Stay Safe,
Stephen Rodriguez
Superintendent of Schools

January 7, 2021

Dear Pottstown Parents and Guardians,

The events from last night at the Capitol building were terrible and disturbing. Democracy was under direct attack. The Pottstown School District and Community stand united against violence, and support the Democratic Rule of Law.

Undoubtedly, (like us), many students will be emotionally affected by what transpired in Washington D.C. Therefore, yesterday evening I communicated with our staff with guidelines to help students process these emotions if they need that support. I encourage you, as the parent, guardian, and caregivers of our students, to be a part of this conversation.

Please take time to speak with your children about this incident, and reassure them. They will be the leaders of ‘tomorrow,’ and we want them to pave the way for a brighter, more hopeful, and positive future.

Thank You and Stay Safe,
Stephen Rodriguez
Superintendent of Schools

January 4, 2021

Dear Pottstown Parents and Staff,

Happy New Year!

As we continue to face the challenges of providing learning opportunities for our children while keeping them and our staff safe during a world wide health emergency the school district has taken time to prepare for several possible models of learning. Community spread of COVID-19 in Pottstown remains high, but steadily, and slowly decreasing.

• As of 12/16/20 Positivity Rate of 12.87%
• As of 12/23/20 Positivity Rate of 11.63%
• As of 12/30/20 Positivity Rate of 11.57%

As a result, we will delay the implementation of a full district Hybrid program, ( originally scheduled to begin January 19th for all schools) until at least February 1, 2021. Only the limited in-person special education, Pre-K Counts, and CTE programs will be offered, starting January 11, 2021.

With the first wave of the vaccine being distributed, and testing widely available, there is reason to be very hopeful about getting “back to normal” sometime in the foreseeable future. I thank you for your continued support and will do my best to keep you informed in a timely manner. Our priority will remain safety as we meet the educational needs of our children.

Thank You and Stay Safe,
Stephen Rodriguez
Superintendent of Schools

December 21, 2020

Dear Pottstown Parents and Staff,

As we continue to work together to meet the challenges that have been caused by COVID-19, I will attempt to communicate with you in a timely manner that allows the opportunity for you to adjust your schedules. Last week, we saw a rise in COVID-19 positivity rate from 10.33% to 12.87% within borough residents of Pottstown. Health officials both locally and nationwide are also expecting that after the winter break, there will be another rise in cases due to holiday gatherings. Therefore, we will take the preventative measure of remaining fully virtual for instruction during the first week of the new year, January 4-8, 2021. Co-Curricular programming will follow the state or county guidance for that week.

Please take time during this holiday break to reflect on family, friends and the value of friendship and support that comes from the bonds of working together for the good of our community.

Thank You and Stay Safe,
Stephen Rodriguez
Superintendent of Schools

December 10, 2020

Dear Pottstown Parents and Staff,

By Lawful Order of Governor Tom Wolf, all Extra-Curricular activities, including PIAA Sports, are suspended from Saturday December 12 to Monday, January 4th. We will fully comply with this order and communicate further details specific to the sport or group about next steps.

Thank You and Stay Safe,

Stephen Rodriguez
Superintendent of Schools

December 9, 2020

Dear Pottstown Parents and Staff,

Over the past 2 weeks, we have seen an increase in students and staff Covid-testing positive or needing to quarantine due to possible Covid-19 exposure. We are also seeing an increasing positivity in our community:

• As of 11/25/20 Positivity Rate of 8.4%
• As of 12/03/20 Positivity Rate of 7.9%
• As of 12/9/20 Positivity Rate of 10.3%

Due to the rise in COVID-19 cases within our school district and our community, all limited in-person instruction will revert to virtual instruction starting next week, Monday, December 14, 2020, until the beginning of the holiday break on December 23, 2020. This includes all special education, career and tech education, elementary pilot programs, and pre-K counts classes.

Co-Curricular programs have had no positive cases thus far. Until further notice these programs will continue to be offered with all mitigation protocols in place. However the decision to continue activities is subject to change dependent upon identified positive COVID cases.

Looking at our nation, our state, and our Pottstown community, it seems clear that the next few weeks and months will be challenging with Covid-19 and safety concerns. Everyone wants to know what the next step will be. Do we start a hybrid program on January 19th? Will we stay in a virtual instructional format until the positivity rate decreases? Most importantly, when will we know? These are all good questions, for which there are no good answers yet.

What I can say for certain is that we will:

• Prepare for the worst, and hope for the best
• Make decisions as early as possible so that families can plan and staff can prepare
• Continue to update you and Keep safety as our primary concern.

Thank you for your continued support and flexibility. Throughout these very challenging times, the Pottstown School District and Community continues to display teamwork and a supportive attitude, which are the very ingredients to overcome any adversity. I am confident that we will get through this together, and at the same time be able to say “Proud to be from Pottstown”

Stay Safe,
Stephen Rodriguez
Superintendent of Schools

November 13, 2020

Good Afternoon Pottstown Parents, Staff and Community,

An increase in COVID positivity rates was anticipated this fall, and Montgomery County and many parts of Pennsylvania and the U.S. are now seeing serious increases.

In an effort to proactively address the potential for school-based transmission, the Pottstown School District must follow the order of the Montgomery County Office of Public Health, which has voted to require all schools to move to virtual/remote learning only between November 23 and December 6. This order applies to all students, all programs, and also requires that schools suspend all co-curricular activities and sports from Nov. 23 to Dec. 6. Be assured that during this mandated closure we will continue to meet the needs of food security for our children. As you may know our district staff has resumed responsibility for food distribution. We will continue the Monday pick up at the high school,7am to 7pm and deliveries Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday schedule.

The Office of Public Health (OPH) has told schools that it wants to take a proactive approach to an anticipation that families will be gathering and traveling over the Thanksgiving holiday. It believes this two-week school move to fully virtual instruction will ultimately give schools a stronger chance at keeping community and school based transmission low. The OPH and CHOP have further told public schools that the two-week move to virtual instruction is prudent given a surge in rising case counts and an increase in hospitalizations.

As always, the safety of our students and staff remains our priority. As we continue to move through a challenging school year, we are relying on the advice and support of local medical experts to help guide our decisions. We will continue to communicate with you so that we can all stay as safe as possible.

Stephen Rodriguez
Superintendent of Schools

Buenas tardes, padres, personal y comunidad de Pottstown,

Se anticipó un aumento en las tasas de positividad de COVID este otoño, y el condado de Montgomery y muchas partes de Pensilvania y los EE. UU. Ahora están experimentando aumentos importantes.

En un esfuerzo por abordar de manera proactiva el potencial de transmisión escolar, el Distrito Escolar de Pottstown debe seguir la orden de la Oficina de Salud Pública del Condado de Montgomery, que ha votado para requerir que todas las escuelas pasen al aprendizaje virtual / remoto solo entre el 23 y el 23 de noviembre. 6 de diciembre. Esta orden se aplica a todos los estudiantes, todos los programas, y también requiere que las escuelas suspendan todas las actividades co-curriculares y deportes del 23 de noviembre al 6 de diciembre. Tenga la seguridad de que durante este cierre obligatorio continuaremos satisfaciendo las necesidades de seguridad alimentaria de nuestros niños. Como sabrá, el personal de nuestro distrito ha asumido la responsabilidad de la distribución de alimentos. Continuaremos con la recogida del lunes en la escuela secundaria, de 7 a. M. A 7 p. M. Y con las entregas los martes, miércoles y jueves.

La Oficina de Salud Pública (OPH) les ha dicho a las escuelas que quiere adoptar un enfoque proactivo para anticipar que las familias se reunirán y viajarán durante las vacaciones de Acción de Gracias. Cree que este cambio de escuela de dos semanas a una instrucción completamente virtual finalmente dará a las escuelas una mayor oportunidad de mantener baja la transmisión basada en la comunidad y la escuela. La OPH y CHOP también han dicho a las escuelas públicas que el cambio de dos semanas a la instrucción virtual es prudente dado un aumento en el número de casos y un aumento en las hospitalizaciones.

Como siempre, la seguridad de nuestros estudiantes y personal sigue siendo nuestra prioridad. A medida que continuamos atravesando un año escolar desafiante, confiamos en el consejo y el apoyo de expertos médicos locales para ayudar a guiar nuestras decisiones. Continuaremos comunicándonos con usted para que todos podamos estar lo más seguros posible.

Stephen Rodríguez
Superintendente de escuelas

Tuesday, July 7, 2020

Good Morning Pottstown Parents and Community Members,

At the end of last week Governor Wolf announced that all persons age 2 and above should and must wear masks when outside the home. This will include schools, both students and staff, with certain medical or special education exceptions. This also includes most sporting type activities based on information I have right now. Guidance for schools will be forthcoming to school leaders soon.

It is my understanding this action is in direct response to rising levels of new COVID-19 cases in the Commonwealth. For some parents, this may be welcome news, and for others, it may be very unwelcome news. Please know that we are working on an array of options for our students so that education can continue next year, even if it looks very different.

If you are seriously or even remotely considering a stay at home virtual options for one reason or another, please consider signing up now! A smooth transition into a fully virtual program will be much easier if you have signed up early.

Click here to sign up for the Virtual Learning Program.

Also, beginning today, administration offices and certain schools will begin to hold office hours, from 8:00am to 12:30pm, with social distancing, including masks indoors, being required. Please call ahead to avoid waiting in the heat!

The facts about this pandemic and its impact on school seem to change daily. We will keep you updated as much as we can and thank you in advance for your continued support. It gives me continual reason to say Proud to be from Pottstown!

Stephen Rodriguez Superintendent of Schools

Tuesday, June 8, 2020

Good Evening Pottstown Parents and Guardians,

Today is the last day of the most unique and difficult year in recent history. But with a strong sense of teamwork and community, we navigated through the challenges better than anyone anticipated!

Our focus now is getting students and staff back to school next year as safely as possible. Will you help us? Please take this brief survey, and then ask or help your children to take it as well. We want to hear from you!!

CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE SURVEY

This survey will remain open for one week only, so please don’t delay! Have a wonderful and safe summer!

Thank you,

Stephen Rodriguez Superintendent of Schools

Tuesday, June 2, 2020

Good Evening Pottstown Parents and Community Partners,

National news has been dominated by the recent tragic events which occurred in Minnesota last week resulting in the death of an African-American named George Floyd. It has brought back into the light something that our community has known for a long time, that racism is still a very real and terrible reality. The Pottstown School District stands united with the community in calling for positive change so that we may, one day, once and for all, be rid of the scourge of racism. As citizens we must send a clear message that justice, peace, and human dignity are qualities of life that we are ALL entitled to enjoy. 

If our teachers were in normal session with students physically attending school, I would ask them to lead an age-appropriate discussion on these issues and help students process the many images and comments, and fears and emotions, that often go along with such horrific events.

I now humbly ask that you speak with your children, explain concepts if they don’t know, allow them to express their feelings and concerns. This is an opportunity to discuss how we can work together to bring about a positive change in our country.

Pottstown School District has long been an advocate for racial equity in the education system and will continue to advocate for a fair and equitable opportunity to experience a successful and fulfilling life, both in school, and beyond.

Thank you and stay safe,

Stephen Rodriguez Superintendent of Schools

Wednesday, May 13, 2020

Good Afternoon Pottstown Families,

FOOD DISTRIBUTION - Just a reminder that every Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., including today families may pick up food for each student in a household. June 3rd will be the LAST food distribution day for the 2019-2020 school year. We encourage you to take advantage of this as it is a free grant-funded service through the United States Department of Agriculture. All social distancing and mitigation protocols recommended by CDC and Pennsylvania Department of Health will be in place. We ask that you wear a facemask and practice social distancing.  

REQUIRED SCHOOLWORK - Thank you to the many students and families that are doing their very best to participate in the new learning with our Continuity of Education plan. The overwhelming majority of students and parents have embraced and are using Google Classroom Platform and are engaging in schoolwork. As a reminder, while it is pass-fail, students are expected to participate, and just like regular school, this is not considered optional. Students can and will fail 4th quarter if they do not participate. If you have constraints or concerns affecting your child’s participation, please reach out to your child’s teacher or principal ASAP.  

The Google Classroom Platform is here to stay and will be extensively used next year,both in and out of the traditional classroom setting.

END OF YEAR ACTIVITIES - I have recommended to the school board that we end the school year on Monday, June 8th. This will be the last day for students and staff. End-of-Year procedures and activities will be either cancelled or look very different this year, so please pay attention to school specific emails and announcements. 

Even though this has been a difficult year in terms of changes, we’ve come together as a community to not only “survive,” but be better for next year. Thank you for all you’ve done to help your child, your school, and your community during this challenging time.

Stay Safe,

Stephen Rodriguez
Superintendent of Schools
Pottstown School District