Snow Sends Swampscott Schools From Day Off To Remote Learning

SWAMPSCOTT, MA — Some North Shore schools went with a remote learning day, and some a traditional "snow day" off, during this week's first big storm of the winter.

Swampscott is getting a little bit of both.

Swampscott students got to enjoy a day off from school as the region got walloped on Thursday, but with plenty of clearing still needing to be done as of Thursday night students will have a remote learning day on Friday.

Friday was to be the last day of hybrid learning in Swampscott for three weeks due to rising coronavirus numbers and staff quarantines. As of Monday, Swampscott schools will go fully remote through Jan. 8.

For the first time ahead of Thursday's snowstorm, superintendents faced balancing the consistency of switching staff and students to remote learning amid the changes of the coronavirus crisis, or giving everyone a little breather as they dig out and maybe enjoy a
little socially distanced sledding in a punishing pandemic year.

Beverly, Danvers, Peabody and Salem were among the North Shore schools that had a remote learning day on Thursday, while Marblehead, Swampscott and Essex Tech opted to go old school and cancel school outright.

Faced with having to make up two days at the end of the school year, however, the decision was made to send Swampscott students to the computer screen on Friday.

More Patch Coverage: School 'Snow Day' Debate On The North Shore

Swampscott Schools To Go Fully Remote, Delay Winter Sports

Snow Piling Up In Swampscott; Municipal Buildings Closed Thursday