Marblehead Schools Prepare For Remote Start, Hybrid Transition

MARBLEHEAD, MA —As hard as shutting down was for school districts across the state amid the coronavirus pandemic last spring, the process of ramping back up to a hopeful return of full, in-classroom learning has been even more challenging.

In Marblehead, that process includes three weeks of remote learning for most students starting Monday, with a transition to a hybrid learning model beginning Oct. 5.

"Understandably, anxiety and anticipation are both high as we look to launch remote learning on Sept. 14," Marblehead Superintendent of Schools John Buckey told Patch. "We're doing something that's never been done and change is so hard. That said, the logistics across the district are in place."

That includes pre-kindergarten beginning with a hybrid model on Monday and the rest of the schedule available on a newly launched website dedicated to Marblehead's return-to-school plans.

Buckey said the end of this week will be dedicated to getting students the supplies needed to begin remote learning and daily schedules with log-ins. He said in a remote message to the school community that progress is being made to shore up the remaining details and questions many have involving the reopening.

"The (not so) funny thing is there is so much information that it is sometimes lost in a perception that there is not enough information," Buckey told Patch. "For our families with multiple students this can feel like a tidal wave. I remain confident that we've got this, and that we're all in this together.

"And that a little patience, good humor and presumption of positive intent will go a long, long way."

A school calendar that includes which cohorts will go to school on which days can be found here.

"Once we are into it, we will develop routines and a new understanding of how school looks and feels," Buckey said, "which will help to reduce anxiety and clarify confusion."

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