Framingham Schools May Start Fully Remote In Fall

FRAMINGHAM, MA — As the Framingham school system prepares for the start of the 2020-21 school year, officials say that students will likely attend class remotely for up to two months before entering a hybrid learning model, where students attend a mix of in-person and online classes.

During a press briefing Thursday, Superintendent Robert Tremblay said that the Framingham School Committee will ultimately decide how the school year starts, but it's possible all-remote learning could last through October.

Tremblay unveiled plans for the fall reopening at a joint meeting of the school committee and the Board of Health last week, with the hybrid model as the preferred option. During that meeting, Framingham Health Director Dr. Samuel Wong suggested the district start the school year all-remote — a precaution against coronavirus, but also Eastern equine encephalitis.

Rather than semesters or quarters, Framingham will likely divide the school year into six pieces, which will allow the district to monitor coronavirus spikes in the area, Tremblay said.

Here's Tremblay speaking about the reopening on Thursday:

READ: MA School Bus Guidelines Suggest Vastly Reduced Capacity, Masks

When schools closed in March, Framingham transitioned to an all-remote model and handed out laptops to students who needed them. The return to school this fall will likely be much more formal.

The state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is requiring school districts in Massachusetts to submit back-to-school plans by July 31. Each district is supposed to submit a plan for fully remote learning, hybrid learning, and a full return to class.

The Framingham School Committee will likely vote on a preferred plan at a meeting scheduled for July 29.