Renewed Calls For Remote Learning Options On North Shore

PEABODY, MA — A renewed desire for a remote learning option on the North Shore is leaving some district administrators shrugging their shoulders and trying to work with families on a case-by-case basis amid the state requirement that most students must return to the classroom full-time, five days a week for the new school year.

Only the handful of districts across the state that applied for and received a waiver to set up a remote learning academy — including Peabody — are allowed to count remote learning hours toward required school hours this academic year.

While the remaining districts will have contingencies for those with a documented medical condition that makes it unadvisable to attend in-classroom learning, as well as those out of school because of a coronavirus infection, there is no clear option outside of homeschooling for families who feel simply uncomfortable about sending their children back into school buildings over the next few weeks.

Salem Superintendent of Schools Steve Zrike said at Monday night's School Committee meeting that there was not a significant interest expressed in remote learning when he had to make a decision about requesting a remote waiver in April. He added that in Salem special accommodations will be made for students with a medical complication that does not allow them to attend class in person or anyone who has to quarantine because of a coronavirus infection.

Still, parents sought a remote option during the public comment portion of that meeting even though Salem Public Schools has instituted perhaps the most stringent mask and vaccine mandates for students and staff in the state.

"I still have a pit in my stomach as a parent of two elementary-age kids who don't qualify for vaccines yet," one Salem parent said, "that even the strong mitigation is still not enough. I feel two areas of concern for me are unmasking at any point in school and not having the option of remote school.

"I really want to send my kids in person. My kids want to go back in person. The last time they were in person was March 2020. I am concerned the schools are still looking at least year's success as a point to show how this year will work the same way with even less mitigation in some areas for a much more contagious strain of the virus."

Peabody Assistant Superintendent and Executive Director of Remote Learning Christopher Lord told Patch about 800 students remained in remote learning throughout last year when surrounding districts had most students return to hybrid learning and full in-classroom learning in the spring, so that district knew the demand was there regardless of the course of the virus.

"Peabody PREP has currently over 100 students and is taking new registrations daily," Lord told Patch on Wednesday. "As we get to a critical point in enrollment, we'll provide additional teachers as needed. The school committee has not voted on masks yet and that may influence family thinking on our virtual school."

Peabody Superintendent Josh Vadala told Patch last month that his district was looking to mirror state guidance that gives families as much control over mask-wearing and vaccines as possible, but that a final decision for the upcoming school year would be made at the Aug. 24 school committee meeting.

While school choice is allowed in Peabody, Lord told Patch in June the PREP program is only open to students previously enrolled in Peabody Public Schools.

As many schools adopt universal indoor mask mandates for vaccinated and unvaccinated students and school staff, some of the other mitigation factors from last year have eased considerably.

The state is no longer recommending a physical distancing protocol of 3 or 6 feet, and will allow those who are close contacts to those who test positive for the coronavirus to remain in the classroom and participate in activities like sports without a mandated quarantine as long as they have no symptoms and engage in daily testing where they continue to test negative.

State guidance released on Friday also said those vaccinated are exempt from the daily testing after being a close contact to a positive case, and daily testing is only required for contacts among unmasked and unvaccinated students and staff who were within 3 feet of a positive case for more than 15 minutes over a 24-hour period.

"We didn't know about delta last year but we know about it now and we need to take this seriously," the Salem parent said, "and give choices for families who may not feel comfortable about sending their child in person until vaccinated.

"Homeschool should not be the only option. People want to keep their kids safe, or high-risk family members, but also be a part of their community. Remote offered that. I don't understand why it is not being discussed and offered."

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(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)