Salem Looks To Bring Back Youngest Students 5 Days A Week

SALEM, MA — Salem Public Schools is moving to bring students in pre-kindergarten through second grade back to the classroom five days a week.

The plan, which includes also bringing back sixth graders at Collins School, vocational students and possibly high school freshmen in a hybrid level— as well as students needing specialized learning — was presented to the school committee Tuesday night.

The students would return on Nov. 9. The School Committee is expected to vote on the plan at its next meeting on Oct. 19.

The majority of middle school and high school students will continue to learn remotely for now.

All families will have the option of having their children remain remote for the school year.

Salem Superintendent of Schools Stephen Zrike said the in-person school day will be slightly shorter than a regular school day and the schedule will be announced shortly.

Zrike said the district is looking into bringing back third graders, but there are complications involved with that.

"In order to maintain our health and safety standards, including smaller class sizes and 6 feet of physical distance, it takes more educators to teach each grade level," Zrike said in a letter to the school community. "We want to confirm that we will be able to offer high-quality in-person learning for any student who chooses it, which means that we are waiting until next week to decide whether we can invite third grade to join us in-person as well."

Zrike said he wants to confirm that there is sufficient staff to teach third grade before committing to it.

"We continue to prioritize having our youngest students in-person first because we know that remote learning is hardest to access for our youngest students, who are still building their ability to use technology, to read, to write, and the basics of math. The risk of spreading the virus is proving to continue to be the lowest for our youngest students."

Zrike said the district will work with families, communities and city partners to organize social interactions for upper elementary school students.

"We know that the longer we are in this difficult situation the harder it is getting to be isolated," Zrike said.

Zrike said the move to bring back sixth graders in the hybrid model is necessary to help them transition to the new school level.

He indicated high school students could be a remote for an extended stretch of the school year.

"There are two realities that make us more cautious about bringing more high school students back in-person," Zrike said. "First, high school students are more at risk of spreading COVID-19 — like an adult compared to elementary students. The steps we would need to take to keep everyone safe are the most disruptive at Salem High School.

"Second, the high school schedule's complexity makes it very disruptive to make changes mid-semester, as high school students have the most diversity in the courses they take, and the schedule is a complex puzzle to meet everyone's needs."

Zrike said more information will soon be available to let parents and guardians know what to expect in November.

"We do want to emphasize that this is the next step for our system this fall and that things may continue to change," Zrike said. "All of this work is dependent on our COVID-19 data."

Related Patch Coverage: Salem Coronavirus Numbers On Troubling Trend