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BPS announce delay in Phase 3 of return to in-person learning for students in Pre-K through Grade 3

By Boston 25 News Staff

First look at how Boston Public Schools may reopen First look at how Boston Public Schools may reopen

By Boston 25 News Staff

BOSTON — On Friday, Boston Public Schools officials announced the district will be delaying the start of Phase 3 of their plan to bring kids back into the classroom.

Boston Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Brenda Cassellius said in-person learning for students in Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 3 will be delayed by one week, from no sooner than October 22 to no sooner than October 29. The rest of the phase-in calendar remains the same.

The district also announced that they will continue providing the option of in-person learning for higher need students, where students with “high in-person priority who had previously been in classrooms two days per week can begin four days a week of instruction and support services in schools beginning next week.”

“In keeping with our commitment to a cautious approach to school reopening, and being guided by a continual evaluation of public health data, we have made the decision to again delay the next phase of in-person learning,” said Mayor Walsh. “The health and safety of students, faculty and staff remains a top priority, and while we are confident that the preparations we have made in our school buildings make it a safe environment for in-person learning for a limited number of students, we are taking the necessary time before we bring back the next wave of students.”

The announcement comes after public health data showed an uptick in confirmed positive COVID-19 cases across the City of Boston, a trend that has school officials on edge as the citywide infection rate is now at 4.4%. According to the district, “the delay of one week will allow for the City to continue implementing safety protocols to slow the spread of COVID-19 and to continue reviewing data to make informed decisions about offering in-person learning.”

“The entire City is rightly focused on ensuring our students, teachers, and staff have the opportunity for the best learning experience, whether fully remote or partially in-person,” said Superintendent Cassellius. “This new announcement allows for us to continue providing enriching teaching and supports for our students in buildings while continuing to offer innovative online learning for families who have selected remote for their students.”

The remainder of the phase-in schedule remains the same.

All dates are no sooner than:

  • October 22: Students with High In-Person Priority begin four days a week (based on family preference)
  • October 29 & November 2: K0 - Grade 3 (Cohort B & A)
  • November 5 & 9: Grades 4 - 8 - secondary schools begin 6 - 8 (Cohort B & A)
  • November 16 & 19: Grades 9 - 12 (Cohort A & B)

All BPS students started the school year in remote learning on September 21. Families were able to select if they wanted to keep their students in remote learning or opt in to a return to in-person learning. Students with High In-Person Priority began in-person learning on October 1. The remaining students whose families have selected in-person learning will follow the schedule outlined above.

For more information on the district’s reopening plan and safety precautions being taken, visit their website here.


This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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