Shawsheen Tech Focusing Planning On Hybrid Reopening

BILLERICA, MA — Shawsheen Valley Technical High School administrators are focusing their reopening planning on a hybrid model, where students spend some of their time at school and some of their time learning remotely, Superintendent Bradford Jackson said in a letter to the school community Monday.

"I see the Remote Open as the least desirable option both from a curriculum/instruction and social/emotional lens," Jackson wrote.

Full return, however, has not proved feasible so far. School officials have not figured out how to fit every student in the school while meeting state physical distancing guidelines, Jackson said, and the transportation guidelines reduces the number of students who can ride a bus at a time by two-thirds.

"Full Open is not a likely option unless and until the progress of the virus here in Massachusetts allows to DESE to change the physical distancing requirements," Jackson concluded.

With full return largely ruled out, officials have focused planning on the hybrid option since mid-July, Jackson said. Students would spend part of the week in school and part working remotely.

All school districts required by the state to submit plans for all three scenarios by Friday, and final decisions are due in mid-August.

Jackson encouraged families to plan for the likely hybrid scenario. In addition to coronavirus prevention strategies like mask wearing, that includes the possibility that students will attend remotely on some school days. The full letter is available here.

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