The Pennsylvania Department of Education released new guidance Thursday allowing for the option of elementary-age students to return to school, regardless of community levels of COVID-19.

“We know that educators and families recognize that students benefit from being physically in their classroom,” said Noe Ortega, acting state Secretary of Education in a news conference Thursday.

Ortega said the updated order largely affects elementary-age students as they enter the second semester of the year. It would also allow for “targeted populations” such as students with disabilities to return to campus too.

He said the decision was made with consideration and input from the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Some districts, such as Butler Area School District, already have started bringing elementary students back to school.

“It doesn't impact us,” said Butler Superintendent Brian White. “We're in line with everything that was said, released and done today.”

Butler elementary students returned to in-school learning on Monday. Secondary students are operating in a hybrid model, which puts them in classrooms about three days per week and online for the remainder.

White said he again felt frustrated that the districts were given little warning about the update. He said he received an email at 11:13 a.m. Thursday informing superintendents about the changes. The news conference for media and the public began at 11:15 a.m.

“I heard about the announcement because a member of the media forwarded me a link to the press conference,” White said.

Also at the news conference, Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said emerging research suggests lower infection rates and less-severe symptoms of the virus in children under age 14.“We know that it is impossible to eliminate the risk of disease transmission entirely within a school setting when community spread is present,” Levine said. “As a pediatrician, I am also aware of the critical role schools play in the healthy emotional and physical development of children.”Through the end of December, 52,917 children and young adults between the ages of 5 and 18 have tested positive for COVID-19.On Dec. 31, the statewide total of COVID-19 positive residents was 640,325, so children made up roughly 8.3% of the total number of COVID-19 cases during 2020.Levine also pointed out that the majority of the cases in children were added between October and December, the same time as the overall fall surge.“This data show why it is imperative that we take proper steps to slow the spread and continue to adjust our plans as the scope of the pandemic changes both within and outside of the school setting,” Levine said.

Both Levine and Ortega said along with the new guidance comes a continuation of virus mitigation protocols.As elementary students return, they still should wear masks, wash their hands frequently and distance themselves when possible.“Schools should have protocols for distance in the classrooms of at least 6 feet,” Ortega said, stressing that the distance should be maintained throughout the day.White said he is pleased with how his teachers and other staff have continued handling COVID-19 measures in stride.“Things are going well. There's an intensity going on right now to make sure things stay safe,” White said.White said like many, he is hopeful for a better future.“We're working day-by-day, and we're hoping the vaccine gets rolled out sooner rather than later for everyone in our community,” he said.