As COVID-positive numbers are increasing, schools in some red zones go back to full remote learning

MILFORD, Mass. — Nearly 100 cities and towns are in the red zone in Massachusetts. The transmission rate is only climbing, which means this will also affect schools. Some schools are now going back to full remote learning, forcing parents to figure out how to work, and do childcare.

This has been tough for so many parents, and children across the board. Boston 25 News spoke with parents in Milford, all the way to Malden, another red zone. Officials from the Massachusetts superintendents association say, the difficulty now, is finding teachers who can fill slots after the Thanksgiving travel.

“Superintendents tell me with the high transmission that occurs between the adults, teachers, staff and they traveled over Thanksgiving,” said Thomas Scott, with the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents.

He says, with the transmission rate of COVID numbers increasing, it’s challenging.

“Trying to avoid moving and pivoting from hybrid to remote,” said Scott.

“A lot of people are frustrated, and in a predicament, because they can’t work, and stay home with the kids,” said Laura Valenti, a parent.

Laura Valenti’s two sons attend schools in the Milford School District, where just before Thanksgiving, they were told they were going from hybrid to fully remote until the first week of January.

“It’s unprecedented and no one knows what to do,” said Valenti.

Boston 25 News got a copy of the statement sent out to Milford school parents, saying in part.

“We are deeply disappointed to close our campus to students for the next four weeks but we also know that we are ready for this transition.”

—  Stacy Middle School administration, Milford

There are now 97 Massachusetts towns and cities in the red zone. that’s about eight times higher, compared to just one month ago.

Milford has been in the red zone.

“I cry a lot of nights. I’ve been missing my friends a lot,” said Zainudeen Mosalam, a first-grader in Malden.

Over in Malden, students and parents are doing the best they can to keep up with their children’s schoolwork, and paying the bills.

“I was very active in the community. I’ve had to step back quite a bit. They’re on different schedules, they need assistance logging in and out of class,” said Nichole Mosalam, from Malden.

Mosalam also says Malden has been sending out surveys to parents, asking them how is the remote learning going for them, and what would you want to see done? Mosalam also says after learning about her son and how much he misses his friends, she plans on holding a Zoom party.

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