Some Salem Students Soon Headed Back To Classroom

SALEM, MA — Some Salem students can head back to the classroom for the first time in nearly eight months as of Nov. 16 after the Salem School Committee approved a revised return-to-school plan.

Under the plan approved Tuesday night, students in grades pre-kindergarten through second grade can return to school five days per week, with students in sixth grade and ninth grade given the option of returning two days per week in a hybrid model.

Most other students will remain fully remote for now — with many potentially in remote learning for quite a while.

Salem Superintendent of Schools Stephen Zrike said the next opportunity for students in kindergarten through eighth grade to potentially return to in-classroom learning is Jan. 4, 2001. High school freshman 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.

"The steps we would need to take to keep everyone safe are more challenging at Salem High School," Zrike said in a video conference with parents, "with their schedule, with the number of students they have and the complexity of how the day is designed. But that doesn't mean that we're not going to try to at least begin with ninth grade.

"This phase is not necessarily the end of our attempts to bring students back to school. We do believe we need to pace ourselves. We would like to bring back as many students for some aspect of in-person learning before the end of this very uncertain and unusual school year."

Salem families, which have the option to keep all students fully remote, are asked to fill out a form here indicating whether they intend to send their children back to school on Nov. 16 or keep them home for remote learning.

Zrike said the form "represents your final decision for whether your student will be in-person or remote in November."

The form must be completed by 3 pm. Friday.

Those with questions about after-school care are asked to contact their providers directly.

More Salem Schools Patch Coverage: Salem Looks To Bring Back Youngest Students 5 Days A Week

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