Lunch, Recess Are Obstacles To Full-Time Elementary In Burlington

BURLINGTON, MA — Burlington elementary schools could be in school full time in April, but recess and lunch safety remain challenges, Superintendent Eric Conti told the School Committee Tuesday.

Earlier that day, state officials said that school districts should start bringing back elementary students for full-time, in-person learning as soon as April.

"It continues to be vital to get as many students back in school as possible, preferably before the end of the year," education Commissioner Jeff Riley said.

Conti noted that Burlington's students are already in school five days a week, in the morning, so the state's new recommendation would only affect about 90 minutes at the end of the day.

"What we're really talking about is extending the afternoons," Conti said. "A lot of what we have to work on is going to be lunch and recess logistics and then we'll probably be able to have a 30 to 45 minute afternoon lesson."

Warmer weather will help with the space challenges of full-time in-person learning, Conti said. The new rules will need approval from the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, which is unlikely to come before mid-March at the earliest.

"I would think by April we'll see our elementary schools open more," Conti said. "We were moving in that direction anyway but we may be getting a nudge from the state."

Conti also addressed potential changes for older students and the district's plans for the fall.

District officials are planning a full return in the fall, the superintendent said repeatedly.

As for secondary school students, space remains a limiting factor, he said.

"The state and the CDC are going to have to make some decisions about distancing," Conti said. "We can't collapse our cohorts without compromising on social distancing."

The full meeting is available here from BCAT.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.