Published March 17, 2021
By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — It’s all systems go for in-person learning.
In the wake of Education Commissioner Jeff Riley decision to hit the brakes on hybrid and remote learning, Superintendent Kristen Vogel announced last week that students in grades 1-12 will be back in school full-time by April 5.
First-graders returned to school full-time on Monday, March 15. Second-graders will be headed back to class full-time on Monday, March 22. Students in grades 3-12 will return on Monday, April 5.
“We are thrilled to be welcoming all of our students back on April 5,” said Vogel during the School Committee’s March 9 meeting. “We will be full in-person five days a week.”
Vogel said students and staff will be required to continue following the safety protocols established by the CDC. She urged students, families and staff to follow social gathering regulations, wear masks and practice social distancing in order to keep people safe. She said parents and guardians will need to keep their children home if they are sick or are identified as a close contact of someone diagnosed with COVID-19.
Vogel said the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education outlined new guidelines for distancing in classrooms. She said the school system will be using 3-feet of distancing instead of the 6-feet previously used.
“The guidance is 3-feet of distancing in classrooms and more if feasible,” said Vogel. “We may be moving classroom spaces depending on the number of students in the class in order to meet the 3-feet.”
Vogel said the social distancing change could potentially result in more students being identified as close contacts of people who test positive with COVID-19. If a student or staff member is identified as a close contact, Vogel stated in an email sent to parents they have to “quarantine for at least seven days from the last day of exposure.” She also stated people will need to take a PCR test and not a rapid antigen test on day five or later from “their last exposure to the positive individual.” Close contacts will be able to return to school after receiving a negative test result.
Additionally, Vogel stated people identified as close contacts can return to school if “they have not experienced any symptoms” up to that point and “they conduct active monitoring for symptoms through day 14 and self-isolate if new symptoms develop.”
“Students and staff members who have household members that have been identified as close contacts will no longer have to remain out of school, Lynnfield Community Schools and Lynnfield Public Schools’ activities until the close contact has a negative test result,” stated Vogel.
While there have been no COVID-19 cases spread in the schools this year, Vogel told the school board that the School Department will work with the Emergency Management Team and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education if the virus gets spread in the buildings.
Vogel said parents were required to decide whether their children would either be in-person or remote for the rest of the year by Friday, March 12. She said the remote model that begins on April 5 will be different than the one currently used by the district.
In order to support families with the return of in-person learning, Vogel said Lynnfield Community Schools will be offering before and after school childcare programs for elementary school students. She said the Middle School Club will be offered again as well as music lessons.
Vogel said the state will still be administering the MCAS exam this spring.
“We know that grades 3, 4 and 5 will be taking the MCAS in April and May,” said Vogel. “For grades 6, 7 and 8, it is to be determined. For our high school students, the MCAS will be taking place in May and June.”
If people travel over April vacation, Vogel said they will need to follow the Massachusetts Travel Order.
“Students and staff will need to provide a negative test before returning to school,” said Vogel. “Students under the age of 10 will still need to provide a negative test because we know students under the age of 10 can test positive for COVID.”
Vogel said school principals will be providing more information about the return of full in-person learning.
“It is imperative that parents read the communications that either come from the district or the building principal so all of our students can return safely on April 5,” said Vogel.
SC is thrilled
School Committee Chairman Jamie Hayman thanked Vogel, the Administrative Leadership Team and the Lynnfield Teachers Association for developing the in-person learning plan.
“There is finally light at the end of the tunnel,” said Hayman.
Hayman also asked School Committee member Phil McQueen to serve as the board’s point person during the reopening process. He recalled that the committee asked Vice Chairman Rich Sjoberg to serve as its security upgrade liaison several years ago because of his experience working as a private investigator.
“The committee has always tried to leverage people’s personal and professional experience,” said Hayman. “Considering the deep academic needs, I have asked Phil to be the point person for the School Committee over the next month for this reopening. He is going to be working with Kristen and will be communicating with the committee as needed.”
McQueen, who works as Lynn Classical High School’s English department head, thanked Hayman for the assignment.
“I am happy and honored to do this,” said McQueen.
In response to a question from McQueen, COVID-19 Liaison Toni Rebelo said local officials have found “no evidence” of novel coronavirus transmission in the schools.
School Committee member Tim Doyle asked if Middle School Principal Stephen Ralston and High School Principal Bob Cleary will be discussing expectations for student behavior outside of school.
Vogel said both principals will be discussing the matter with students. She said it is going to be “tempting” for students to hang out in large groups after school.
“We have seen some spread in gatherings,” said Vogel. “We want our high school and middle school students to continue to come to school and participate in special events that will be coming up.”
Sjoberg asked if students will be required to wear masks when they are on school property but not inside a school.
“Absolutely,” said Vogel.
School Committee member Stacy Dahlstedt inquired what steps will the district be taking to help alleviate students’ anxieties about returning to school full-time.
Vogel said school adjustment counselors will be sharing strategies with parents during the School Committee’s March 23 meeting. She said school officials and educators want to help students navigate the transition back into full in-person learning.
“For the last year, students have not been in school five days a week,” said Vogel. “As we know with the beginning of every school year, there is a transition for students and teachers as they try to get back into routines and schedules. That is going to take some transition. The more parents can do in the next month to prepare students for that, the easier the transition will be.”
In response to a question from Dahlstedt, Vogel said school officials are currently planning end of the year events.
“It will look very different than last year,” said Vogel. “There will be some in-person component to it. I think we can assume everything will be outside because we cannot bring large groups of people inside. We are looking forward to these special ceremonies for our students and our families. It’s going to be great.”
