Earlier today the local Patch.com published an article about schools going virtual that resulted in several local school districts issuing statements and the online news publication clarifying its article. The article quoted Montgomery County Commissioner Dr. Val Arkoosh stating that Montgomery County’s schools had been told to go all virtual due to rising COVID-19 case numbers.

However, that wasn’t the case. Patch.com revised the article to clarify that they weren’t told to go virtual, but were asked to be prepared to go virtual if they have an outbreak.

However, the original version of the article had quickly spread through social media and even landed on Yahoo News.

We know that the Upper Dublin, Lower Merion, and Wissahickon school districts released statements on the issue. Below is the statement from Wissahickon:

Please be aware that there is an online article in The Patch that incorrectly states that school districts have been advised by Montgomery County Commissioner, Dr. Valerie Arkoosh, to revert to 100% virtual schooling. This is not accurate. Dr. Arkoosh’s office did not issue any such guidance and she is actively trying to get the article’s author to issue a clarification. Unfortunately, the article hit social media and the false information is spreading fast. Please disregard the story and any related conversation that may be circulating online. Wissahickon School District has not changed any current arrangements, nor have there been any changes to the plan to begin the secondary hybrid program on Monday, November 9th. Thank you for your attention to this matter.