Purchase Line School District

November 11, 2021 Dear PLSD Families, Lee Greenwood says in his song, God Bless the USA, “I’m proud to be an American, where at least I know I’m free. And I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.” I want to thank every veteran as we honor them on this special day! Yesterday, November 10, 2021, in a 4-1 decision, the Commonwealth Court found that the Pennsylvania Secretary of Health’s August 31, 2021 masking mandate is void. The Court stated that: “For the foregoing reasons, we find the Masking Order to be void ab initio.” Accordingly, the Court granted the Petitioners’ Application and denied Respondent’s (Secretary of Health’s) Application for Enforcement. Consequently, the Court declared the Masking Order "unenforceable." Within hours, a Notice of Appeal was filed with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. At approximately 3:32 p.m. yesterday, the Secretary of Education released a statement outlining “Schools should continue to observe the school masking order throughout the duration of the Court’s proceedings.” PDE also stated the appeal will trigger a Stay of the Commonwealth Court’s ruling and keep the Masking Order in effect. Counsel for Senator Jake Corman’s group (Corman v. Beam, No. 294 MD 2021 (Pa. Cmmw. Ct. filed Sept. 3, 2021)) stated they will ask the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to lift the Stay. Once again, schools, parents, students, will be left in limbo while this legal battle plays out. It is anticipated that a more definitive answer will be forthcoming from the Court. As soon as we receive that clarification, I will be sure to reach out and provide you with the most up-to-date information. In the meantime, the expectation remains the same that everyone is masked up when school reopens tomorrow, Friday, November 12, 2021. Please understand that our district believes that these decisions should be made at the local level, but we also must adhere to the rule of law, and let the judicial process play out. Thank you in advance for your continued cooperation and support. I am blessed to be part of a community that in spite of frustrating circumstances, remains respectful and unified. I ask once again that we as a community cooperatively stay focused on our core mission of preparing our students for their futures. Respectfully, Shawn Ford, Superintendent

Please click "read full story" below!

October 26, 2021 Dear Purchase Line School District Families: The purpose of this letter is to communicate the district’s plan for inclement weather. Purchase Line School District will use both remote learning days and traditional snow days/school cancellations during the 2021-22 school year. Since Purchase Line School District has the ability to conduct remote learning, we can now implement a remote learning day in lieu of canceling school for weather related emergencies. Students will remain at home on remote learning days and engage in remote instruction. Remote learning days will count as a regular day of school and students are expected to complete the educational requirements, including attendance and completion of assignments. Traditional snow days/school cancellations can also be used, and those days will be made up later in the school year. In addition, two-hour delays and early dismissals will be used by the district depending on the circumstances. Information on remote learning days, snow days/school cancellations, two-hour delays, and early dismissals will be communicated through SchoolMessenger, our primary means of notification. Information will also be relayed through ARIN Intermediate Unit’s SchoolCast, EZ Text, and local television stations. Sincerely, Shawn L. Ford Superintendent