Travel Guidance

As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, we understand that many families have plans that include travel. After consulting with the Chester County Health Department (CCHD), TESD is recommending several precautions:

• Be especially careful to monitor symptoms before, during and after travel. Symptomatic individuals should not be in close contact with others.
• Keep your child home from school after returning from travel only if exhibiting symptoms of sickness.
• If you are traveling internationally, please check COVID-19 related travel requirements for both the United States and the destination country. Countries may have specific entry and exit requirements.
• Consider having your child take a rapid antigen test prior to returning to school if you have concerns about possible COVID-19 exposure. TESD students may get tested at Conestoga High School’s Teamer Field on days that school is in session from 11 am to 2:45 pm. Even though school is not in session on Monday, November 29, the District will offer voluntary rapid antigen testing for students at Teamer Field during the normal testing hours of 11 am to 2:45 pm. Please bring a completed consent form and QR code.

November 10th PA Masking Information

Dear TESD Families,

TESD is aware of today’s ruling by the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court that overturns the masking order issued by the Pennsylvania Secretary of Health that requires masking inside all public and private schools. After the ruling was issued, we received the following communication from the Pennsylvania Department of Education: 

“Earlier today, the Commonwealth Court issued a ruling voiding Acting Secretary Beam’s school mask order. The state is filing an appeal today, which will trigger a stay of the Court’s ruling and keep the order in effect. Schools should continue to observe the school masking order throughout the duration of the court’s proceedings.”

As such, at this time the masking requirement will remain in effect for TESD schools.

Earlier this week, the Governor stated the intention to return K-12 masking decisions from the Commonwealth to local leaders on January 17, 2022. This announcement comes with ever changing COVID-19 transmission levels and expanded availability of vaccines and boosters. We will remain in consultation with health authorities to determine if these factors should prompt any revision of local health and safety protocols.

We recognize that parents and residents within TESD hold different views about mandated masking. Until the matter becomes further settled, we ask for your continued patience and cooperation by continuing to send your child to school with a required mask. 

Sincerely,

Dr. Richard Gusick

Superintendent of Schools

Parent Conference Day on Monday, November 29, 2021

Parent Conference Day will be held on Monday, November 29, 2021. While the online sign-up window closed on November 10, parents who missed the sign up may email teachers directly or call 610-240-1069. Teachers will be available for fifteen-minute appointments between 12:00 and 3:55 PM and 5:20 PM and 7:35 PM. In addition, teachers will be available for unscheduled “drop in” sessions between 2:20-2:35 PM and 6:20-6:35 PM. Since the day will be devoted to parents meeting with teachers, students will not attend school on Monday, November 29, 2021.

On the day of conferences please plan to:

• Arrive a few minutes early (in person and virtual); appointments will be very tightly scheduled.
• Enter the building through the main lobby. You will receive a map and room assignments.
• Observe the fifteen-minute timeframe. Others will expect to meet at their scheduled times.

Attention Junior Parents!



It is our pleasure to invite you to schedule a virtual or in-person post-high school planning conference sometime this winter or spring. In this conference, you will meet with your child and your child’s counselor. We will provide you with a variety of materials and information to help you begin this process. Meetings will open on November 29^th (parent conference day) and dates may be scheduled through April.  For more information, please open attached documents. We look forward to seeing you! 

Junior Parent Invite Letter

Parent Reflection 21-22

Class Parent Meetings

There will be no parent meetings in December. Parent meetings will resume in January 2022.



Fall / Winter Athletic Update

Our fall sports season will be culminating today with our Boys and Girls Soccer teams competing in the State Finals. All fall sports made the playoffs and our Girls Tennis Team won the PIAA Team Championship. Best of luck to our teams competing today. 

Since there has been great interest to support our teams on Friday, the winter sports season will begin on Saturday, Nov 20th. The 9^th grade Basketball teams will begin on November 30th. Please note that masking is required when not actively participating in an activity. Spectators will be required to wear mask and physically distance themselves to the best extent possible. All athletic contests that take place in the large gym will be livestreamed through our HUDL camera. Attached is the link to view our home events: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFGfdGqWEwUgVhMYutp68tQ/live

Go ‘Stoga!

COVID-19 Testing Guidelines for Schools from CCHD

On October 13, 2021, the Chester County Health Department (CCHD) updated its guidance for schools on whether symptomatic students need to have a confirmatory PCR test if they received a negative result on a rapid antigen test. If a student is symptomatic and receives a negative rapid antigen test result, they will be clinically assessed as to the likelihood they have COVID-19 prior to receiving a PCR test. Please click her for the updated CCHD guidance outlines the response to a negative antigen test. 

Traffic Safety Reminders

• DROP OFF – Parents may drop off in the front of the building using two lanes. The bus circle is available beginning at 7:40AM as an additional drop-off location.
• PICK UP - Parents may pick up in the front of the building using two lanes. The bus circle is available at 3:00PM for parents to pick up students.
• Please DO NOT use the Main Lot for drop-off and pick-up as it creates more congestion for our student drivers.
• Drive slowly and carefully on school drop off areas and nearby roads.
• Obey all traffic flow patterns and rules of the road.
• Please be respectful of our neighbors. DO NOT use driveways as a turn around.
• The Timothy School should not be used as a drop-off/pick-up location.
• When dropping off and picking up students, please pull all the way up allowing traffic to flow.
• Discuss pedestrian safety with your kids (use crosswalks/sidewalks, look both ways, don't "walk and text," etc).

QUICK LINKS

• Student Services Department
• Conestoga High School website