Beverly Coronavrus: School Shutdown Plan Takes Shape

BEVERLY, MA —Teachers and administrators are continuing to work on learning plans for students during the state-ordered, three-week school shutdown, Beverly Superintendent Sue Charochak said Monday.

In a note to parents Monday, Charochak said the school system will launch a "Beverly Keeps Learning" website on Wednesday. The school systems is making arrangements to let fifth and sixth graders sign out school-owned tablets to complete assignments, while teachers in lower grades are assembling non-digital learning packets for students.

"No students will be penalized for any missed work and, for at least for the first week, all activities are for enrichment and engagement purposes only," Charochak said. "We also want you to understand, there is no expectation that our parents will be providing students with new instruction."

On Sunday, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker ordered all schools closed for three weeks to spread the curb of the new coronavirus. Following Baker's Sunday evening press conference, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education began working with school districts to develop distance learning programs and to make sure vital services offered by schools would still be available during the three-week closure.