Braintree Schools Consider Subtracting 4 Days To End Of Year

BRAINTREE, MA — School officials announced they are considering an administrative recommendation to subtract four school days to the end of the year if the new coronavirus crisis improves and classes can resume. As it stands, schools in Massachusetts are scheduled to re-open May 4.

The school committee at its meeting April 14 will consider converting the four days of April vacation, April 21 to 24, and adding them to the end of the school year. If approved, the school year would end June 25 instead of June 19.

School Committee Chair Tom Devin told Patch additional days would give students an opportunity to make up some of the learning that was lost. He also said the COVID-19 pandemic has forced the district to make the best decisions they can while in unchartered territory.

"There is no road map to do this," Devin said. "We're making decisions hour-by-hour and day-by-day. Considering there's no road map, I think we're doing as well as we can ...We're trying to go forward and educate these kids the best we can."

Students have continued their school work through distance learning with classes taking up 30 to 45 minutes per day for each class. Devin applauded the teachers for making themselves available by email during this tough time.

To attend the School Committee's virtual meeting, you can find a link to Zoom on Braintree Public Schools' website. The meeting was scheduled for 5 p.m. April 14.

Correction: The original version of this story said the Braintree School Committee was considering adding days. The district is considering subtracting days. We apologize for the error.