Two Butler County schools in the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh faced issues Monday, one related to COVID-19 and another stemming from a power outage.

Diocesan officials announced that all students at St. Gregory Catholic School in Zelienople will attend classes at home this week, as seven staff members tested positive for COVID-19.

Jennifer Antkowiak, diocese spokeswoman, said Erin Rice, principal at St. Gregory, tried to fill the staff absences with substitute teachers, but was unable to get enough.

The school has done well during the pandemic, as it provided in-person classes for the past 18 months. “Although we seemed to have conquered the odds ... I am afraid that we are not invincible, and COVID has finally forced me to make some difficult decisions,” Rice said in a news release from the diocese.

Rice said students would learn remotely from Monday through Friday and could pick up their school materials on Monday.

Whether students will return to classes the following week will be determined based on the COVID-19 situation at that time, Antkowiak said.

She said the diocese's director of schools can observe the incidence of COVID-19 at all schools via a database containing principal reports.

“I imagine she is going to obviously be watching that closely this week,” Antkowiak said.

She said there are not reports of COVID-19 cases among the students at the school, who range from kindergarten to eighth grade.

“We expect that this month is going to require a great deal of flexibility on the part of everyone,” said Michelle Peduto, director of diocese schools. “We are in continued consultation with local physicians and health agencies. Our goal remains to provide in-person instruction.”

Antkowiak said no other schools in the diocese have been closed due to COVID-19.

Rice said she is aware that virtual classes create difficulty for some families, but said learning at home for now is the right step to take for the health and safety of families, employees and the community.

“Please pray for health and well-being so we can get back together next week,” Rice said.

High school closed

North Catholic High School also closed on Monday, but it had nothing to do with the pandemic.

The one-day closure was due to a power outage at the school in Cranberry Township.

Antkowiak said she was told by power company officials that a bird flew into electrical lines on Sunday and caused damage to electrical components.

While most of the work was done on Sunday, the power company wanted another day to work on the pole and lines to ensure the problem was fixed, she said.

Antkowiak said the work was completed on Monday and school was to resume Tuesday.

She said the day would be used as a snow day and the students' schedule would not be affected by the one-day closure.