Marblehead Schools To Remain Hybrid Amid Coronavirus Surge

MARBLEHEAD, MA — Marblehead Public Schools will maintain their current hybrid learning model despite a recent surge of cases in the town.

Marblehead Superintendent of Schools John Buckey said Friday morning that the decision to maintain some level of in-classroom learning was made after consulting district leaders and the Marblehead School Community.

"Collaboration as a community will be required to make this work," Buckey said in a letter to the school community. "We are only as good as our weakest point and we are signs of weakening through the COVID case count locally and beyond, plus increased absenteeism and emergency/health-related quarantines among staff and students."

The town, consistently reported case levels of five or less going all the way back into the summer, saw a jump to 36 active cases this week. The town released more detailed data related to cased in town — including age breakdowns.

According to the town, four of the 57 cases reported in the town over the last two weeks were among those 19 years old or younger.

Buckey said in order to maintain in-person learning all staff and students must follow Massachusetts Department of Health orders that include avoiding travel, discouraging those visiting from out of state, avoiding gatherings with people outside of your household and the following of school safety protocols.

Related Patch Coverage: Marblehead Provides Additional Town Coronavirus Data Amid Spike

Marblehead Schools To Maintain Current Hybrid Model For Now