Coronavirus: Mansfield Schools Address 'Anticipated' Closure

MANSFIELD, MA — Gov. Charlie Baker's announcement Tuesday afternoon that Massachusetts schools will be closed through the end of the school year due to the new coronavirus health crisis hammered home with a thud the reality that had become more and more apparent to most high school seniors in recent weeks.

All the proms, the awards nights, the senior athletic dinners and state tournaments, the pomp and the circumstances involved with the lead up to graduation and the ceremony itself, and the celebrations of putting a punctuation mark on one chapter of life will all either be canceled, or take place in a foreign, remote and perhaps pared-down, socially distant way that was never part of the plan.

On Tuesday, it became the unfortunate reality.

"It's unfortunate to see the school year conclude this way, but this was an anticipated scenario," Superintendent of Schools Teresa Murphy said. "We would like to reassure our entire school community that we have planned for this outcome, and are prepared to deal with it as necessary. We have the resources necessary to finish the academic year while providing remote resources for all of our students."

During the school closure, Murphy said teachers have remained vigilant and mindful of their individual students' needs and have made adjustments according to those needs. Teachers will continue to reach out to students and families on a regular basis throughout the remainder of the school closure.

For more information, visit the district's website www.mansfieldschools.com.

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