All K-12 schools in Pennsylvania will be closed for two weeks beginning on Monday, Gov. Tom Wolf announced Friday afternoon.

The Wolf administration said it will continue to monitor COVID-19 in the state, and at the end of 10 days will reevaluate and decide whether continued closure is needed.

“We understand that these are trying times and recognize the impact of the coronavirus on our students and communities,” Wolf said in a statement.

“First and foremost, my top priority as governor — and that of our education leaders — must be to ensure the health and safety of our students and school communities. As such, I am ordering that all schools in the commonwealth close for the next two weeks.”

The school shutdown order affecting more than 1.7 million school children, in public and private K-12 schools, came as confirmed cases in the state leaped to 41 from 22, including the first patients under 18 and the first west of the Susquehanna River.

Wolf, who also has discouraged large gatherings of people statewide and canceled prison visits, said his actions are designed to save lives. He urged people to stay calm and stay home.

“My hope is that we’ve taken actions that are both decisive and absolutely appropriate,” Wolf said at a news conference Friday afternoon at the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency headquarters in Harrisburg. “I know that some of you are worried, but we believe that, by asking everyone to cooperate and spend a few days limiting their interactions with other people, we can help control the spread of this virus in Pennsylvania.”

Wolf said schools will not be penalized if they are unable to reach the 180 days of instruction required under state law. His administration, he said, would evaluate the decision at the end of the 10 days and decide whether to extend it.

The Department of Education said it will work with intermediate units and other stakeholders to support school districts with any continuity of learning plans they may be pursuing.

Also, the Pennsylvania Department of Education announced today that it received a waiver from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to allow eligible schools to serve meals to low income students in a non-congregate setting, such as a drive-through or grab and go, during this closure.

“We appreciate your collaboration as we work together to deal with this difficult issue,” Wolf said.

Local districts

Discussions about potential district-wide shutdowns had been happening throughout Friday before Wolf’s announcement was made.

“At this time, we feel it’s the best decision to make based on public health guidance and to mitigate the risk to our entire educational community,” Lehighton Superintendent Jonathan Cleaver said.

All planned extra-curricular activities scheduled to be held at the district will not take place.

Dr. Alan Lonoconus, interim Palmerton superintendent, posted a message on the district’s website Friday.

“Students and staff did not have the opportunity today to take materials home due to the lateness of the announcement by the governor,” He said. “We know that some may have left something behind that they need, especially medications. If you need something essential that was left at school, we can work to help you. Please limit requests for access to only essential items. We will have more information for you by Monday as to how we are going to operate.”

The district has inquired about state testing and other external metrics.

“To date, we have not received any direction. Many decisions need to be made by external organizations and we therefore cannot control those decisions. As they are made, we will communicate them to you,” Lonoconus said.

“We do not expect parents or caregivers to provide instruction but rather to support children in this learning by encouraging reading, writing and problem solving. The work is highly recommended but is not required and will not be graded.”

Lonoconus said he is exploring the possibility of keeping the cafeteria open to prepare meals for families who may be able to go to the school to pick up meals.

As for how the district could extend learning opportunities, he said the goal would be for students to take advantage of the many technology resources that are available.

“We will ask teachers to provide activities, if they are able, in the event of a prolonged absence,” Lonoconus said. “This will not take the place of regular classroom instruction, but will supplement student learning. Assignments may not be required or graded, but are intended to reinforce or extended learning while at home.”

In the Pleasant Valley School District, Acting Superintendent Charlene Brennan said in an announcement Friday that no schoolwork will be sent home during the closure.

“We anticipate we will have further direction from Gov. Wolf’s office in the weeks ahead,” she said. “I will communicate any changes or updates to you as needed during this evolving situation.”

Pleasant Valley is postponing all school sponsored events, including the spring musical, and canceling all field trips for the rest of the school year.

All indoor usage of the facilities by outside groups is suspended until further notice. Use of the outdoor fields and facilities is halted until after the closure period. Spring sports and related activities are also suspended until after the closure.

The schedule for graduation will remain for now, but the plans for the prom will be reviewed in mid-April.

Cases

Most of the state’s 41 cases of positive tests are in eastern Pennsylvania. Hardest hit is Montgomery County, with 18 cases. Cases announced Friday included the first two children under 18, including a pediatric case in Monroe County.

To date, there are 35 presumptive positive cases and 6 confirmed cases of COVID-19.

Counties impacted to date include: Bucks, 3; Chester, 1; Cumberland, 3; Delaware, 6; Monroe, 3; Montgomery, 18; Northampton, 1; Philadelphia, 3; Pike, 1, Washington, 1, and Wayne, 1.

The confirmed cases largely have been traced back to contact with the new coronavirus in another state or country. Most people are at home in isolation, officials say; a few are hospitalized.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.

The vast majority of people recover.

Kristine Porter contributed to this report.