With this memo, we are providing districts and schools with initial guidance on reopening for the fall. In this guidance, we:
• Clearly state our goal for this fall: the safe return of as many students as possible to in-person school settings, to maximize learning and address our students’ holistic needs. If the current positive public health metrics hold, we believe that by following critical health requirements, we can safely return to in-person school.
• Provide a clear set of health and safety requirements for in-person learning this fall, grounded in the most up-to-date scientific literature and discussions with expert medical advisors. While subject to revision as the COVID-19 pandemic evolves and more scientific evidence becomes available, these requirements will serve as an initial planning blueprint for the in-person return of students and staff this fall.
• Require districts and schools to prepare a reopening plan that addresses three possible learning models for this fall: in-person learning with new safety requirements, a hybrid of in-person and remote learning, and the continuation of remote learning (to ensure continuity of learning throughout the school year, even if circumstances change). Schools will also need a focused plan for special student populations. Districts and schools will be required to submit a comprehensive reopening plan to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) in August that addresses these three models. More information will follow shortly. • Outline the future guidance and other supports that DESE will provide in the coming weeks.
SEE MEMO here > https://www.mass.gov/doc/dese-fall-reopening-guidance/download