North Andover Elementary Students Will Return Full-Time April 5

NORTH ANDOVER, MA — North Andover elementary students will return to full-time in-person learning April 5, the district confirmed in an update to parents Monday.

District officials said Feb. 26 that they planned to comply with new state rules requiring a model change. Beginning April 5, hybrid learning will not count toward state-mandated learning time requirements for elementary students.

Remote learning will continue to count for families that opt for it, meaning the On-Line Academy will remain open for the rest of the school year.

The administration plans to present more details on full return at all grade levels at the Thursday School Committee meeting.

The state will also require full in-person learning for middle schools April 28 and likely high schools at a later date.

A vaccination program began Saturday for North Andover Public School employees, the district said. Greater Lawrence Family Health partnered with the district to provide 475 vaccine doses as part of an effort to vaccinate all teachers and staff.

"We appreciate the work of GLFH Senior Vice President Rich Napolitano in coordinating this project and are thankful for Representative Christina Minicucci’s advocacy on behalf of all of our staff in North Andover," the district said. "This is a great step forward in our work to bring all students back to school this spring."

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