Swampscott High School Case Spike Sparks Testing, Remote Learning

SWAMPSCOTT, MA —As schools across the state prepare to bring students back full-time, five days a week, Swampscott High School will take a step backward from hybrid learning to fully remote learning for at least the next two weeks after a coronavirus spike in town.

The surge, which town officials said they believe was sparked by out-of-school gatherings among older students, will cause the high school to go fully remote until at least April 5. The high school was to return to a five-day, in-classroom learning model as of March 29 in a return-to-school plan Superintendent of Schools Pamela Angelakis called "very purposeful and cautious."

Students in grades kindergarten through fourth grade are still expected back full-time as of April 5 — meeting the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's directive — with the "plan" to bring back middle school students as of April 12.

The elementary and middle schools will remain in their hybrid models until the return dates.

High school students, staff and faculty were encouraged to take part in drive-thru testing scheduled for Monday. There was no pre-registration required.

Testing for faculty and staff was set for 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Testing for junior students was set for 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Testing for senior students was 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Testing for all student-athletes in "Fall 2" sports — which include football, girls volleyball, track and field and competitive cheer — was set for 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

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(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)

More Patch Coverage: Swampscott Schools' 'Goal' To Have Students Full Time By April 12