Braintree Schools Use Alphabet To Determine In-Person Classes

BRAINTREE, MA — School officials announced they will use the alphabet to determine which days students have in-person classes under Braintree's school reopening plan.

When the school year begins Sept. 16, students with last names which begin A through L will attend in-person classes on Mondays and Tuesdays, while the rest of the students will go to school on Thursday and Friday mornings. Remote learning was set up for the other three days of the school week.

Assistant Superintendent Jim Lee told the school committee Wednesday there will be exceptions for students with different last names living in the same house.

Superintendent Frank Hackett told the school committee 2,000 parents have been surveyed since the committee approved its hybrid plan last week. The rest of the parents are expected to be surveyed later this week.

According to Hackett, 71 percent of parents said they would send their children to hybrid classes, while 24 percent chose fully remote learning.

"It's a little higher than I thought it would be," Hackett admitted regarding the number of parents choosing remote education plans.

Other school issues discussed included:

Buses

With social distancing, bus capacities will be limited to just elementary school students that live more than 2 miles from their school. Hackett said buses normally have a 77-person capacity, but school officials have dropped that to 25.

Hackett said school officials are considering changing elementary school hours to accommodate bus schedules. Preliminary bus routes are expected to be finalized by Friday.

Types of masks allowed

Masks will be required at all times with the potential exception of during designated movement breaks. But according to Jean Afzali, the district's director of nursing, some types of face coverings will not be allowed.

Neck gaiters, bandanas and masks with vents will not be allowed, Afzali said.