July 7, 2021 -
Parents/Guardians:
On June 30, 2021, Governor Tom Wolfe signed Act 66 into law. This Act permits students that were enrolled during the 2020-21 school year to repeat their grade level to make up for any lost educational opportunities due to the COVID-19 pandemic, even if the student met the requirements to be promoted to the next grade level. Based on this Act, parents/guardians and students, at or over the age of 18, have until July 15, 2021, to elect to have their child or themselves repeat a grade level for the 2021-2022 school year.
Additionally, Act 66 permits students with a disability, who were enrolled in the 2020-2021 school year and turned 21 during the 2020-21 school year, or between the end of 2020-2021 and the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year, to attend a school entity during the 2021-2022 school year and receive services as outlined on their most recent Individualized Educational program (IEP) with all protections under the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA).
As required by Act 66, the Pennsylvania Department of Education developed and posted an online standard form for parents/guardians to notify school entities of their child’s plan to remain in the school and/or current grade level for the 2021-2022 school year. Please click here for form.
Please note, students 18 or older who plan to repeat a grade level during the 2021-2022 school year must complete and submit their own form. For a student with a disability who turned 21 during the periods listed above, both the parents/guardians and the student must complete the form. Forms are to be submitted to the district and or school in which the student attended in the 2021-2022 school year. They are not to be submitted to PDE.
If you have any questions, please contact your child’s school building principal. Remember, completed forms must be submitted on or before July 15, 2021.
Scott Webster, Elementary School Principal – (570) 744-2521, ext. 1063 or swebster@nebpanthers.com
Matthew Holmes, High School Principal – (570) 744-2521, ext. 2203 or mholmes@nebpanthers.com
Respectfully,
William J. Clark, Superintendent