Peabody Will Open School Year With Hybrid Learning

PEABODY, MA — Peabody School Superintendent Josh Vadala will recommend that the school system start with a combination of in-person and remote learning to start school year, with an option for remote learning for anyone who is "unable or uncomfortable returning to an in-person learning environment."

"Our goal for the fall continues to be the safe return of as many students and staff as possible to in-person school settings, to maximize learning and address our students’ holistic needs," Vadala said in a letter parents Wednesday. "After analyzing the capacity of our buildings and reviewing other health and safety considerations, we have determined that we cannot safely bring all staff and students back to full-time in-person learning at this time."

Vadala also outlined a four-phase reopening plan he is proposing to the school committee for final approval. Under the proposed schedule, students would return to school on Sept. 16 with the start of the third phase.

In June, the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education charged school districts across the state with developing three plans for reopening in the fall: one that would involve full-time, in-person learning, one that would involve full-time, remote learning, and a third, hybrid model combining remote and in-person learning.

School districts have until Aug. 10 to submit their final decision to DESE. The Peabody school committee heard Vadala's recommendation at Tuesday's virtual meeting but took no action.

Read Peabody School Superintendent Josh Vadala's letter to parents.

Dave Copeland covers Peabody and other North Shore communities for Patch. He can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).