Salem Public Schools Set Deadline For In-Person Learning

SALEM, MA —As Salem Public Schools looks to bring back more students more often this spring, the district is asking families of those students in fully remote learning who wish to return to hybrid and in-person models to request that switch this week.

The request comes in the week the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education said it is pushing all districts to bring at least elementary school students back in-person five days per week by April. Salem currently has students in grades kindergarten through second grade in school five days per week, while those in grades 3 through 12 are in a hybrid learning program two days per week.

Superintendent Stephen Zrike has said the district hopes to bring all students back full-time by the end of the school year, but that would require easing some of the social distancing guidelines that advise 6 feet of separation.

"Salem Public Schools remains committed to providing the highest quality options for students while operating within the health and safety constraints of the global pandemic," Salem Public Schools said. "Seeing our students in our schools is joyful for everyone involved. We know many of you are considering joining an in-person option and the next window of opportunity is here."

Students requesting a switch to in-person learning under the current model should do so by Friday. The next opportunity to opt into in-person learning for this school year is scheduled for April.

Those who request the switch will have it honored by March 18. Requests may after Friday may not be honored until after April vacation.

Students in need of transportation can arrange that through the transportation office.

Students may remain in fully remote learning through the end of this school year.

"We look forward to bringing more students back for in-person learning in March," Salem School said.

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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.)

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