Waldorf School of Pittsburgh COVID-19 Pandemic Response Timeline
Waldorf School of Pittsburgh has created this page in the interest of sharing all important health updates about COVID-19 as it may impact our community. This page will be updated with our response to the developing situation as a school, as well as provide links that may prove helpful in deciding on your family’s individual response.
Last Update: August 24, 2022
January 20, 2020
CDC confirms the first case of COVID-19 in the U.S.
PHOTO: PROVIDENCE REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
2020
January
April
March 6, 2020
WSP adds Novel Coronavirus resource page to school website, sends community email communicating that the page has been created proactively as part of school’s response plan to the evolving COVID-19 situation. Plan being developed based on recommendations from the CDC and Allegheny County Health Department, as well as dialogue with our accrediting bodies, the Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools (PAIS) and the Association of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA).
March 13, 2020
WSP sends detailed response from COVID-19 Task Force which has been closely monitoring the situation and have been proactive in making contingency plans. WSP announces campus will be closed for at least the next 10 school days, beginning Monday, March 16.
March 17, 2020
WSP Faculty and Administration organize full scale materials pick-up outside for families in preparation of online learning for full school.
March 18, 2020
WSP launches online learning for students, being one of the first schools in Allegheny County to start distance learning.
March 11, 2020
WHO declares the novel coronavirus outbreak to be a pandemic. In an Oval Office address, President Trump announces that he is restricting travel from Europe to the United States for 30 days in an attempt to slow the spread of coronavirus.
March 13, 2020
President Donald J. Trump declares a nationwide emergency. Gov. Wolf announced the closure of all schools in Pennsylvania for at least two weeks.
March 19, 2020
PA Stay at Home Order goes into effect at 8 pm via PA Governor, Tom Wolf.
April 3, 2020
At a White House press briefing, CDC announces new mask wearing guidelines and recommends that all people wear a mask when outside of the home. Administration is now recommending Americans wear "non-medical cloth" face coverings, a reversal of previous guidance that suggested masks were unnecessary for people who weren't sick.
April 6, 2020
WSP COVID-19 Task Force addresses plan for the rest of the year.
April 13, 2020
Most U.S. states report widespread cases of COVID-19.
April 17, 2020
PA Governor Wolf unveils plan for PA reopening, relief and recovery.
April 28, 2020
The United States passes one million confirmed cases of the virus, according to Johns Hopkins.
April 29, 2020
WSP receives approval and receipt of Federal PP1 Grant (Payroll Protection One Grant) to allow continued operation and payment of employees.
May
May 7, 2020
WSP announces it will not host summer programming including Camp Waldorf and Little Friends. PA and Allegheny County under stay-at-home orders due to being in the Red Phase of PA reopening. No tuition will be charged for June–August for Little Friends students.
May 20, 2020
WSP COVID-19 Task Force renamed to Return to School Committee to reflect its commitment and focus. Key assumptions: health and safety, finances, school programming and community. Team ensures that all aspects of school operation are in accordance with local, state, and federal public health mandates and guidelines. Initial thirteen page document details tasks and considerations for safe operation of school.
May 21, 2020
CDC updates to its website earlier this month to explain that touching contaminated objects or surfaces doesn’t seem to be a significant mode of transmission. Notes that as many as 35% of people with COVID-19 are asymptomatic but 100% as infectious as those with symptoms.
June
June 12, 2020
WSP announces launch of virtual summer camp for July 2020.
June 5, 2020
WSP Class of 2020 Car Parade to celebrate graduates with numerous faculty and staff participants. Pre-recorded, virtual graduation held online via Zoom the following day.
June–August 2020
WSP prepares for in-person instruction for the 2020–2021 school year with every enrolled student in mind including: capping class sizes, improving outdoor spaces for increased learning time outside, completing the 8th grade classroom, outfitting each classroom with HEPA air filters and additional sinks where possible, hiring a full-time cleaning staff person, and $10k WIFI improvement on campus.
June 11, 2020
The United States passes 2 million confirmed cases of the virus, according to Johns Hopkins.