SHARON, Pa. - Due to the surge of COVID-19 cases in Mercer County, the Sharon City School District will move to fully virtual instruction.

Superintendent Michael Calla has announced that online instruction will begin on Monday, November 23, and continue through Friday, December 4, 2020.

In a notice posted on the district’s website, Calla said that COVID-19 had created challenges and obstacles that made in-person learning difficult to sustain.

“The number of positive COVID-19 cases in Mercer County has more than tripled during the past three weeks, and we have begun to see several students and employees test positive for COVID-19,” said Calla.

Virtual learning will occur on November 23 and 24, along with December 1, 2, 3, and 4.

“Although we are very aware of the inconveniences this creates for our families, please know this decision was made with the best interest of our students and staff in mind,” said Calla, who added that the pause would allow for slowing the overall spread of  COVID-19 in our community and give the district a chance to sanitize facilities.

Also, Calla said those currently ill with COVID-19 would be allowed to heal.

 Virtual learning will be required for kindergarten through 12th-grade students. Those students already attending virtually will continue to access teacher Google Classrooms daily.