Somerville To Start School Year Fully Remote

SOMERVILLE, MA — Somerville will start the school year with fully remote learning, public school officials announced Tuesday. The district's aim is to move toward a hybrid model, with an eventual return to in-person classes.

In a letter to families explaining the decision, officials said they are working to address ventilation and filtration issues in school buildings and creating a testing system to ensure the safety of students and staff. The district is exploring options including using outdoor spaces for staff, students and families to meet in person.

"Over the next few weeks, as we continue to develop, negotiate, and finalize our remote learning and hybrid plans, we will send regular updates including the new academic calendar and opportunities for outdoor activities for our students during remote learning," Mayor Joseph Curtatone, Superintendent Mary Skipper and School Committee Chair Carrie Normand said in a joint statement. "We appreciate your partnership and continued patience and understanding as we do our best to work through this unprecedented challenge."

The district is working with its unions to identify a timeline and conditions for an in-person return, especially for ELL, special education and Prek-2 students for whom a virtual model is not ideal.