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First phase of students return to classrooms at Boston Public Schools

BOSTON — Starting this week, nearly 8,000 students in Boston will be returning to in-person learning after nearly a year since they’ve been in the classroom.

It’s the first day back to school — in March.

Shakira Williams, a parent who dropped off her first grader at the William Ellery Channing School in Hyde Park, said her daughter was “up before me, got her clothes on and everything, she said I can’t wait to see my friends.”

“I didn’t think she’d be this excited, but it’s good,” said Williams. “A little break from me because I work from home, so a little help, so it’s good getting back to the normal, she’s around her age again, so she’s very happy. Being by herself, isolated and stuff has been hard on her.”

The city and the teacher’s union agreed to a phased-in, hybrid model of teaching, starting with prekindergarten through third grade. Kids are split into two cohorts, with half going back Monday and Tuesday and the other half on Thursday and Friday.

Some parents were glad to finally have their kids in the traditional setting. “We are from another country and with him taking the classes in English it’s very difficult for us, so it’s one of the reasons we are happy he’s here,” said Widmer Alexandre, who dropped his son off at school this morning.

There are several new safety guidelines in place, including air purifiers in classrooms, high grade HVAC filters and extra personal protective equipment. Everyone is remote Wednesday for a cleaning day.

“I was a little anxious, a little nervous with the situation but they made me feel comfortable so I’m just hoping everything continues to just get better and better,” said Williams.

This hybrid model will be in place for the rest of the year. Grades 4-8 start March 15 and high schoolers return on March 29. Parents do have the option to keep their kids at home if they don’t want them back in school yet.

Some Boston Public Schools have been open since November for students with high needs—but the latest phase-in allows for the rest of the students to get back in the classroom.


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