Andover Coronavirus: Schools To Remain Closed Rest Of Year

ANDOVER, MA — Gov. Charlie Baker announced Tuesday that schools will remain closed for the rest of the year. Remote learning will continue.

In a letter to the community, Andover Public Schools Superintendent Sheldon Berman said that the School Committee will select the last day of the school year at its next meeting, April 30, based on Baker's decision.

Berman also noted the impact of the continued closure on year-end celebrations, including graduation.

"All in the APS community look forward to being together to celebrate our students’ achievements each year, and I know we will be grieving the loss of coming together physically to honor our students’ achievements," Berman wrote.

Andover High School Principal Philip Conrad is already working with the senior class advisers on options for graduation, the superintendent said.

"I have asked all our principals to give thought on how best to recognize students at each grade level," he continued. "I look forward to finding unique ways to support and celebrate them all."

Berman also said the state will soon be making new recommendations for the remainder of the school year, including measures the district has begun implementing.

Case count update

Seventy-seven Andover residents have tested positive of the new virus, as of Tuesday. Twenty-five are active cases.

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Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.