Pawtucket Mayor Thanks School Committee For Reopening Classrooms

PAWTUCKET, RI — The Pawtucket School Committee on Feb. 9 approved a plan that would gradually return students to in-classroom learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, and Mayor Donald R. Grebien issued a statement thanking the committee "for doing what's best for our students."

"I am proud to know that the members of the School Committee listened to the concerns of all stakeholders in this process and did their due diligence to get the students back in the classroom," Grebien wrote. "Our committee has prioritized safety and consistency throughout these challenging times, and I am thankful for all the hard work they, the administrators, and teachers have put in to develop a plan for a safe return to school. Our students deserve this opportunity to safely learn in an environment designed for it."

The plan as proposed by Superintendent Dr. Cheryl McWilliams gives students the option to return to in-person learning in phases. Under the plan, grades 1-6 can return to the classroom on March 1; grades 7-8 can return on March 15, and grades 9-12 will adopt a hybrid learning model beginning March 29, WPRI reports. The approval came after some parents and teachers expressed frustration with a committee vote last month that would have extended distance learning for most students through the remainder of the school year.

Grebien in his statement thanked the Rhode Island Department of Education, the Rhode Island National Guard, the Rhode Island Department of Health, the offices of Governor Gina Raimondo and Lt. Governor Dan McKee, as well as their contractors — including Pawtucket-based Arden Engineering — for their help in supporting a safe return to school for students and teachers.

"This has been a team effort and I greatly appreciate the collaboration and cooperation," Grebien stated. "In addition to their vote on reopening, the School Committee also voted to help the City and our taxpayers with the COVID-related budget deficit. I want to personally thank them for their commitment to working in partnership on behalf of all Pawtucket taxpayers."