Waltham High School Preps For Full, In-Person Return Of Students

WALTHAM, MA — Waltham high school students will return to classrooms full-time by May 17, Superintendent Brian Reagan said.

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education released its order Tuesday. The order said all public schools would have to finish out the remainder of the year in person, five days a week. It did say schools could have until May 10 to apply for a waiver.

Reagan said earlier this year he might consider applying for such a waiver if the high school was not ready. This week, he said the district wouldn't need to.

"We have been anticipating a full-return at the high school for several weeks now," he said. "With the Commissioner's announcement yesterday, we are now ready to finalize details so we can put our plan into action."

Reagan said the plan wouldn't come without its challenges.

"This is a difficult time of year for such a transition at the high school with Advanced Placement exams, MCAS, and seniors completing their school year the week of May 17," he said in an email.

One of our biggest challenges, she said, was feeding students. People are still required to keep 6 feet apart while they are unmasked and eating indoors.

To solve the issue, Waltham will adjust the schedule to shift lunches to the end of the school day for the rest of this school year, Reagan said.

• MA Sets Full-Time Back-To-School Date For High Schoolers