State Denies Malden Waiver Request To Delay Full In-Person Return

MALDEN, MA — Elementary school students in Malden will return to in-person instruction five days per week starting Monday, April 5, in accordance with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's mandate. The state denied the district's waiver request to delay the return of K-5 students, Superintendent John Oteri wrote in a letter to families March 24.

"The positive experience MPS has had in providing hybrid instruction to PK-4 students over the past several weeks was a factor in DESE’s decision," Oteri said.

Students in grades 6-8 will begin in-person learning five days per week on Wednesday, April 28. Oteri said school staff has done an "incredible job" preparing the buildings for in-person learning.

The district will reorganize classrooms to maintain at least 3 feet of distancing between students, as opposed to the previous guidance of 6 feet. Pooled testing – a process that combines test samples from several people and tests the pool to determine whether a significant spread is present – is underway in schools, and staff members are receiving their first dose of the vaccine, Oteri said.

A virtual town hall forum about reopening will be held Tuesday, March 30 at 6 p.m.

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