School Officials Take Questions Ahead Of Reopening Decision

TEWKSBURY, MA — Tewksbury school officials presented and answered questions on the district's planning Wednesday at a public workshop ahead of the Tewksbury School Committee's reopening vote Thursday.

During the virtual meeting, which lasted nearly four hours, officials first presented the basics, along with pros and cons, of each potential model: in-person, hybrid and remote learning. Officials also took questions from committee members, parents, teachers and students.

Superintendent Chris Malone underscored that whichever model the committee decides on, planning will continue on all three: the district may switch models based on coronavirus conditions.

>>Watch the full meeting here, from TewksburyTV.

Officials outlined how state requirements would apply in Tewksbury. The district plans to go beyond the mandatory second to twelfth grade mask-wearing and require all students and staff to wear face coverings.

Mandatory 3 feet distancing is possible in classrooms with a full return model, Assistant Superintendent Brenda Theriault-Regan said, but the 6 feet required for mask breaks and eating would not. Multiple lunch breaks would be required for everyone to eat in the cafeteria. In a hybrid model with half of students present, 6 feet would be possible in classrooms.

Similarly, transportation would be more challenging with an in-person model: more bus runs would be necessary.

>>Tewksbury Teachers Union Joins Call For Remote School Reopening

The hybrid model was also acceptable to relatively large groups of both families and teachers, Malone said, citing the most recent survey results. Hybrid was the top option for parents, just beating in-person with slightly over 40 percent. Remote learning leads with teachers, winning majority support, but hybrid got nearly 40 percent, far better than in-person learning.

Among hybrid models, both groups also preferred a plan where students would spend two days in school and three days out, each week.

In any case, the remote learning academy would be available to all students, while the district would make every effort to provide in-person instruction to high needs students.

District officials said that if a remote model is learned, it will be very enhanced relative to the spring. Attendance will be taken, grades will be given, and classes will be both synchronous and asynchronous.

Officials also discussed issues including ventilation, cleaning and mask-compliance.

The Tewksbury School Committee will vote Thursday on the entire plan, encompassing the three models, and on which model to select.

The committee will also pick a first day of school. District's have up to 10 additional days for training ahead of opening day, which brings the district to Sept. 16 as the latest possible day. Those days will count toward the required 180.

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