Tewksbury Schools Plan Phased Increase To In-Person Learning

TEWKSBURY, MA — Tewksbury officials are planning a phased increase to in-person learning, beginning around April 5 for elementary school students.

District officials presented their plan to the School Committee Wednesday. Committee members expressed support but will vote on a formal plan at a future meeting.

"This is the first step," Committee Chair Keith Sullivan emphasized. "This is the proposed plan. This isn't the final plan."

The presentation came a week after state officials said they want to see young students in school full-time soon.

Gov. Charlie Baker and education Commissioner Jeffrey Riley said Feb. 23 that they want to see elementary kids back in school in April. The state education board voted Friday to give Riley the emergency power to effectively force in-person learning.

Under the district's plan, all hybrid students would return to school five days a week in April, but under the current hybrid schedule where they go home at lunchtime for remote learning in the afternoon. In-person learning would expand further in May.

Specifically, the administration's non-final plan comes in two phases:

1. Phase one
   1. Around April 5: Elementary school students are in school for 4 hours, five days a week.
   2. Around April 12: Older students are in school for four hours, five days a week.
2. Phase two
   1. Around May 3: Elementary students are in school full time with the "traditional schedule."
   2. Around May 10: Older students have at least an additional hour of in-school time per day, potentially ramping up to full-time in-person learning.

The phased schedule gives officials time to plan out details at the school level while bringing younger students back first, officials said. They could pivot back to hybrid or remote learning at any time and the remote learning academy would continue to run.

Superintendent Chris Malone described challenges and supporting data for the shift. He noted that both town-wide and within the schools, positive test rates have fallen significantly, and the state has relaxed transportation rules so that buses will be able to carry more students.

He also argued that data supports a switch from the six feet distancing the district currently follows, although more distance is still needed for mealtimes.

"We believe the science proves that three feet distance can be safe," Malone said.

The district is still awaiting more guidance from the state on distancing and other measures.

Public negotiations with the teachers union were approved by the School Committee Wednesday and are underway.

The full meeting is available here from TewksburyTV.

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