Virtual Start for Harrisburg Schools
The Harrisburg school district last month began its 2020-21 academic year with fully virtual instruction.
Before the year began, families had to choose one of two options, according to Acting Superintendent Chris Celmer. They could select a hybrid online/classroom model or a fully virtual model.
For both paths, students started the year with fully virtual learning.
The first path is called the “Pathway to Classroom Instruction.” In that model, students began with online instruction, including live lessons and individual work, with the expectation that they would return to the physical classroom later in the year.
The time spent learning at home will approximate the time spent in school in order to have a smooth transition and continuity of education, explained Chief Academic Officer Susan Sneath.
“A schedule for at-home learning will look pretty similar to a schedule that a child might have in school when they attend school every day,” Sneath said.
Under a second, hybrid phase, students will go to school two days a week and continue virtual learning the other three days. They will be split into two groups, half going in on Monday and Tuesday, the others attending on Thursday and Friday.
Students will transition to a hybrid model of online and classroom learning only when there is a sustained decrease in the spread of the virus in the community, reduced diagnoses and shorter virus testing turnaround times, among other factors.
“If there are opportunities for students to come back to brick-and-mortar, we are going to look to take advantage of those, if they are safe,” Celmer said.
Students can expect to return to school full-time only when positive case rates in the community are below the state benchmark of 5% for two weeks. In addition, treatments or a vaccine must be available, as well as rapid testing turnarounds, Celmer said.
The second option for families is to enroll in the district’s new cyber school—the Harrisburg Virtual Learning Academy (HVLA).
For either option, all students were eligible to receive a device, such as a Chromebook or laptop, for their work.
Food distribution will continue with the start of the school year and will likely increase from the current one day a week to two or three.
Proposed Police Board Draws Comments, Criticism
Harrisburg City Council held three town hall meetings last month on a proposed Citizens Law Enforcement Advisory Committee, receiving substantial input from residents who attended the virtual and in-person gatherings.
Dozens of residents participated in the meetings, and most who spoke did not approve of the legislation, Bill 8, which would create the proposed board.
In their comments, residents focused most on the proposed board’s lack of subpoena and independent investigative powers. Many residents believe that the advisory board should be a more powerful review board.
“I don’t believe this bill would be a step towards accountability,” resident Rachel Peacock said during one of the meetings. “It seems like a horse-and-pony show.”
Others echoed the complaint that the board, as proposed, lacks sufficient power, and some added that residents should have a say in who is appointed to the board. Currently, the bill states that City Council would appoint four members and the mayor would choose three.
The bill also states that Harrisburg’s police commissioner would sit on the board without voting power. Appointed board members would also be required to attend police academy training or participate in a police ride-along.
“I can imagine a chilling effect if the chief of police is sitting on the citizens’ advisory board,” resident Vishal Bajpai said.
Council member Ausha Green, the chair of the public safety committee, said that the meetings would influence the fate of the bill creating the board.
“It’s important for us to have everyone’s voices as a part of our decision,” Green said. “We will look to make changes through amendments.”
Farm Show Goes Virtual
Our area’s biggest annual event—the PA Farm Show—will go virtual this year, the state announced last month.
State Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding said that canceling in-person portions of the 10-day agricultural exposition was necessary due to uncertainties surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.
“There are times in the life of a farmer when the risks are too great or uncertain, requiring farmers to make the tough decision to leave a field fallow,” he said. “To protect our assets—both our people and our resources—from incalculable losses, we have made the tough decision to take a year to lie in fallow.”
He also announced the theme for the January 2021 event: “Cultivating Tomorrow.”
Redding didn’t immediately describe the planned virtual substitutes, but did say that they would be focused on “education and awareness” for both the agricultural industry and the public.
In 2021, the PA Farm Show will celebrate its 105th year.
City Rallies for Kesher Israel
Harrisburg community and faith leaders rallied around Kesher Israel Congregation last month, after a swastika was found scrawled on their synagogue.
A diverse crowd gathered outside the Uptown Harrisburg building to stand in solidarity with the Jewish community.
“The response from this community has been really incredible,” said Rabbi Elisha Friedman. “Each person by being here today is making a statement that this is unacceptable to go on in this area. We are not going to allow this kind of behavior to happen again.”
The Mayor’s Interfaith Advisory Council led the vigil. Police Commissioner Thomas Carter, Rep. Patty Kim (D-Harrisburg) and local faith leaders were among those who spoke.
“What I see here is love,” Carter said. “It took some cowards under the shield of nighttime to paint a swastika. But it didn’t drive a fork in any of our hearts. It brought us together.”
Friedman said that Harrisburg police arrived minutes after he called them. He added that the state troopers and FBI were helpful, as well.
Pastor James Jackson of Goodwin Memorial Baptist Church was one of the many faith leaders who spoke at the event.
“We members of the Goodwin Memorial Baptist church, who are your closest neighbors of faith, want to say to whoever did this, this is not acceptable,” he said.
This act of anti-Semitism is just one of many related incidents in the state, said Russell Goodman, who is part of the Interfaith Advisory Council.
The negative impact the swastika has on the Jewish community mirrors that of the confederate flag on the Black community, said Tameka Hatcher of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission.
“Symbolism matters,” she said. “As a person who believes in the dignity and the sanctity of lives of all people, we the Black community stand with our brothers and sisters of faith in the Jewish community.”
In closing, Jackson prayed for peace and unity in the community.
“The thing that we leave here with will be a renewed determination to see that this city, this community and this nation turn into a place where all of our kids can grow up in an atmosphere of love and peace,” he said.
Free Internet for Students
The Harrisburg School District is bringing free internet access to students and their families through a new partnership with Tri County Community Action.
About 1,500 families will be given free access through next August, according to the district. For many families, this is necessary as all students will begin the school year virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This timely partnership is a tremendous step toward closing the digital divide […],” Acting Superintendent Chris Celmer said. “With the generous support of Tri County Community Action, this partnership helps to make significant progress toward equitable technological access.”
Funding for the $160,000 connectivity initiative will come through Tri County Community Action’s Community Services Block Grant, as well as federal CARES Act funding.
“One of the best ways to disrupt and permanently break the cycle of poverty is through education and investing in our youth,” Tri County Executive Director Jennifer Wintermyer said.
According to Celmer, 84% of district students in the city come from families that are considered low-income or economically disadvantaged. This program will help close the digital divide, he said.
In a spring survey, the district found that three out of 10 students had questionable internet access to support online schooling, Celmer said. He added that the gap has closed slightly since then, but it’s still an issue for many families.
“Our priority is those families who have absolutely no access,” Celmer said.
The program will provide in-home Comcast Internet Essentials Services, Verizon Hot Spot access and Xfinity Wi-Fi Hot Spots at designated business and outdoor locations. Families do not have to be Xfinity Internet subscribers to access this, and it will be provided at no cost, according to the district.
Home Sales Strong
The Harrisburg area exhibited strong gains in residential sales in July, reversing a pandemic-induced dip from earlier in the year.
In July, home sales totaled 880 units compared to 753 units for July 2019, according to the Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors (GHAR). July saw the greatest number of sales compared to any month in 2020.
Prices also were up considerably for the three-county region, as the median sales price increased to $214,700 versus $190,000 a year ago, said GHAR.
In Dauphin County, 405 houses sold compared to 365 the previous July, while the median price rose to $180,000 from $174,997.
Cumberland County had sales of 418 units versus 355 the prior year, as the median price jumped to $233,250 from $211,000, GHAR said. Residential sales in Perry County increased to 51 units from 33 a year ago, while the median price shot up to $177,700 from $160,000 in July 2019.
In July, the average days on the market for houses fell to 38 days compared to 44 days the year before, according to GHAR.
So Noted
Black Lives Matter mural was unveiled last month on the side of the Harrisburg Improv Theatre on N. 3rd Street. Local artist Mike Fitzgerald led the team that painted the mural, which includes affirmations and signatures from many people who participated in and supported the project.
Dauphin County is relocating its Elections and Voter Registration office to a larger facility in Swatara Township, the commissioners announced last month. The move from the county’s Administration Building to the two-level building at 1251 S. 28th St. is expected early next year.
Dixon University Center may soon be on the market, as the PA State System of Higher Education last month voted to relocate to a smaller facility and dispose of the 6.5-acre, six-building campus near Italian Lake in Harrisburg. The PA legislature would need to endorse a sale of the property, which the state system has occupied since 1992.
Gamut Theatre announced last month that it would mount a fall season, though in altered form due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Gamut plans to stage three live plays, one each in September, October and November. Seating will be limited, and extra health and safety protocols will be in place. For details, visit www.gamuttheatre.org.
Harrisburg Beer Week last month awarded $25,000 to its beneficiary, Harrisburg River Rescue and Emergency Services. Due to the pandemic, all events were virtual this year, but organizers still were able to raise substantial funds from sponsorships and donations.
Jason Isbell is returning to Harrisburg, as Harrisburg University last month announced its first outdoors show of 2021. The roots rocker and his band, the 400 Unit, are slated to play in Riverfront Park on May 29.
Kipona Festival will go on this year, though in an altered format. The three-day festival over Labor Day weekend will include a food truck festival and fireworks show on Saturday, Sept. 5, as well as two days of virtual events on Sept. 6 and 7. For more information, visit www.harrisburgpa.gov.
Maddie Young was named last month as the executive director of the Carlisle YMCA. Young brings more than 25 years of nonprofit experience in central Pennsylvania, including in management, fundraising, collaboration and planning, according to a news release from the board of directors.
Rep. Patty Kim last month announced three “Community Classroom” locations for Harrisburg school district students: the Journey Church on Allison Hill, Whitaker Center in downtown and Major H. Winfield Funeral Home in Steelton. These locations will be available for students to use for part of the school day to take online classes while their parents are at work.
Changing Hands
Allison Ct., 3: D. Patrick to R. Dominguez, $89,900
Antoine St., 522: Wells Fargo Bank NA to C. Freeman, $60,000
Boas St., 255: Three Bridges Holdings LLC to K. Dubina, $225,000
Boas St., 260: First United Methodist Church of Harrisburg to Church 1 Holdings LLC, $99,000
Boas St., 423: J. Vogelsong to R. Huy & Q. Heist, $114,900
Boas St., 1912: Dobson Family Limited Partnership to J. Erdman, $39,900
Briggs St., 215: CR Property Group LLC to M. Owens, $215,000
Calder St., 209: M. Pickard & C. DeAngelis to C. Doyle, $170,000
Calder St., 500: S. Hoffman to R. Metzger, $160,000
Chestnut St., 2044: M. Catania to J. Francisco, $105,000
Crescent St., 216: G. Neff & City Limits Realty to E. Seeger, $35,000
Dauphin St., 621, 623, 625, 626 & 627: DL Weaver Enterprises LLC to Kayr Management LLC, $185,100
Derry St., 2127: L. Quintanilla to N. Ramirez, $72,000
Green St., 1102: W. Hoover & Heinly Homes LLC to E. Kramer, $235,000
Green St., 1512: G. & R. Keller to P. Northop, $180,000
Green St., 1519: PA Deals LLC to A. Dunn, $95,000
Green St., 2005: K. Rapp to F. Boomer, $225,000
Green St., 3107: B. & S. Nussbaum to J. Lambert & J. Cantley, $190,000
Harris St., 437: V. Lacerra to L. Teck, $150,000
Herr St., 258: C. & L. Kelliher to Fratelli Property Investments LLC, $130,000
Herr St., 260: S. Bruder & M. Richards to D. Noll, $216,000
Kelker St., 317: BDS Property Group LLC to K. Whistler & S. Sauro, $135,000
Kensington St., 2341: I. Trigueros to N. Matthews, $57,500
Lexington St., 2716: CR Property Group LLC to A. LaRoche, $104,995
Logan St., 2235: CR Property Group LLC to C. Price, $109,995
Luce St., 2304: CR Property Group LLC to L. Dalupang, $119,000
Market St., 1618: A. Vargas, L. Puente & I. Leon to O. & E. Melendres, $35,000
Market St., 2209: J. & L. Shrum to D. & C. Maset, $199,900
Mulberry St., 1811: JOG Investments LLC to MR RE LLC, $70,000
Nagle St., 112: A. Miranda & K. & B. Downey to J. Weaver, $140,000
North St., 2002: S. Aly to C. Asare, $45,000
N. 2nd St., 512 & 514: G. & R. Petrina to 512-514 N. 2nd St., LLC, $90,000
N. 2nd St., 1935: G. & J. Geiges to D&F Realty Holdings LP, $88,500
N. 2nd St., 2534: A. Massaro to Mundi Investment Group LLC, $131,200
N. 3rd St., 234: M. & J. Singel to 234 N. 3rd St. LLC, $315,000
N. 3rd St., 1726: E. & M. Lambino to R. Moore, $132,000
N. 4th St., 2031: J. Frey to Q. Phillips, $41,000
N. 4th St., 2412: R. Alleman & An. Bergner to T. Carlson, $82,500
N. 4th St., 2637: S. Holton to M. Rosario, $38,000
N. 5th St., 1640: G. & L. Cermak to L. Sanford, $140,000
N. 5th St., 2216: Aga Properties Solution LLC to CR Property Group LLC, $36,000
N. 5th St., 2447: JOG Investments LLC to D. Boyle, $33,000
N. 6th St., 1727: A. Pierce to Stoute Housing Inc., $85,000
N. 17th St., 51: I. Mirambeaux to P. Aurelio, $30,000
N. 17th St., 122: OJK Enterprises LLC & C. Texidor to Biyaki Enterprises LLC, $36,000
N. 17th St., 1009: T. Coffee to Woods Property Management LLC, $35,000
N. 19th St., 703: D. Nguyen to S. Francis, $103,000
N. Front St., 1525, Unit 513: M. & E. Crossey to A. Miller, $114,900
N. Front St., 2841: W. Zutell to Wheaten Investments LLC, $525,000
N. Summit St., 132: R. Andrews to R. Munoz, $33,000
Parkside Dr., 2926: J. McKeithan to K. & R. Greenland, $264,500
Penn St., 1208: Wheatland Restore LLC to G. Dunigan, $180,000
Penn St., 1505: D. Crowther to Fratelli Property Investments LLC, $100,000
Penn St., 1809: J. Francesangeli & D. Rocklein to M. Jones & S. Kuserik, $167,000
Penn St., 2314: J. & S. Horton to R. Flemister, $93,000
Race St., 564: H. Jones to SJL Rentals, $109,900
Radnor St., 127: A. Mentzer & S. Jones to V. Thieu & C. Bone, $279,900
Regina St., 1700: M. & R. Dillard to NA Capital Group LLC, $50,000
Reel St., 2418: American Rental Home LLC & CR Property Group LLC to J. Johnson, $110,000
Rolleston St., 1140: V. Cunningham to M. Gonzalez, $50,000
Rumson Dr., 2975: Proline Properties LLC to R. & R. Jarnagin, $105,000
Showers St., 617: M. & K. Maurer to D. Nomie, $167,000
S. 20th St., 228: S. Elazouni to J. Verdugo, $64,000
S. 26th St., 633: Q. & L. Tran to M. Pontz, $114,900
S. Cameron St., 1000 & 1171: Olcam Corp. & P. Grove to Harrisburg PA III SGF LLC & H. Nisbet, $20,500,000
State St., 1400: R. & A. Sharp to J. Arkon, $90,000
State St., 1901: C. Paulus to J. & M. Ramires, $85,000
State St., 1906: Big Foot Properties LLC to J. Rodriguez, $43,000
Susquehanna St., 1911: A. Shadday to S. Umble, $103,000
Vineyard Rd., 214: L. Csovelak & A. Trone to P. Eklund & B. Corner, $224,900
Woodbine St., 332: M. Mtere to HBK Properties 1 LLC, $52,000
