'In Salem It Is Safe To Return To School': Superintendent

SALEM, MA — Salem Superintendent of Schools Stephen Zrike is urging families of those eligible to return to in-classroom learning in the city next month to consider signing up this week to send their students back on Nov. 16.

The Salem School Committee voted last week to allow students in grades pre-kindergarten through second grade to return to school five days per week, and to allow those in sixth grade at Collins Middle School and high school freshmen, as well as some students in the career and technical (CTE) program, to return two days per week in a hybrid program.

Those who wish to keep their students remote will be allowed to do so through the end of the school year, but families are required to fill out a form stating whether they intend to come back by Friday.

"We feel it's essential and urgent to get our youngest kids back in school," Zrike said in a video conference with the school community. "I just want to reiterate how important returning students to school in person is.

"I've believed from the start, and I continue to believe, that there is no substitute for in-person learning. Our youngest (students) are struggling more (with remote learning) than anyone else."

Zrike said the district will continue to examine the possibility of getting more grades back in school, but allowed that it is logistically not an option in the short term.

"We wish we could do it for everyone," he said.

He said in-classroom learning is safe in Salem Public Schools at this point.

"All the metrics I've looked at suggest it is safe to return to school," he said. "That doesn't mean there won't be cases of positive students. It doesn't mean there won't be a need to quarantine students and staff."

Salem's coronavirus cases have increased in recent weeks, but the city remained under the threshold of 8.0 cases per 100,000 the state uses to determine whether in-classroom school is advised as of last week's metrics.

The plan to bring the sixth and nine grade students back two days a week is so those students can get acclimated to the new building for the first time. The career and technical students require access to on-site equipment and shop spaces to complete their courses.

Zrike said he is encouraging those considering a return to in-person learning for the grades allowed to sign up for it because "it is much easier to start in school and then go remote" than the other way around.

Zrike said last week the next opportunity for students in kindergarten through eighth grade to potentially return to in-classroom learning is Jan. 4, 2001. High school freshmen that don't transition to hybrid on Nov. 16 may have to wait until at least Feb.3.

There is no timetable for returning high school students in grades 10, 11 or 12 to Salem High.

He said bringing third grade students back is the next priority, but cannot be done yet due to staffing considerations.

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