Rockland Public Schools Closure Extended Through End of Academic Year

Gov. Baker Extends Statewide School Closure Through End of School Year

ROCKLAND — Superintendent of Schools Alan Cron announces that, in accordance with a new order from Gov. Charlie Baker and the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Rockland Public Schools shall remain closed through the end of the 2019-2020 academic year as a precaution against the COVID-19 pandemic.

The statewide closure of schools, originally set to end on April 7 and previously extended to May 4, has been further extended through the end of the school year.

The last day of school in Rockland is scheduled to be June 12.

The extended closure of schools is an unprecedented step in limiting the potential spread of COVID-19 and continuing the practice of social distancing as more positive cases and deaths are announced in the state each day.

While schools remain closed, the district’s food pick-up service for students and families will continue Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Rockland High School. For more information about these services visit the school website: www.rocklandschools.org.

All athletic programs, events and after school activities will remain suspended and fields, playgrounds and play areas will remain closed until further notice.

Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Jeffrey Riley canceled MCAS for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year across grades 3-10. The Commissioner has not yet made a decision regarding competency determination for high school graduation.

Discussions about events like graduation, prom and academic awards ceremonies will be discussed in the coming days and weeks and further information will be shared as it becomes available.

“We are saddened to share the news that the 2019-2020 school year will come to an end in this manner, but this was an anticipated outcome of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Superintendent Cron said. “As a result of continued planning we are prepared to continue remote learning and provide our students with remote resources throughout the year. We will continue working to make it as seamless as possible while still providing the same resources and care that we would provide if students were in our buildings.”

Remote Learning

Remote learning will continue through the end of the school year, June 12.

Commissioner Riley will be releasing additional guidance and recommendations to school districts statewide within the coming days.

Teachers and administrators have worked since the initial school closure to support students’ connections to their school community and classwork.

During the school closure, teachers have remained vigilant and mindful of their individual students’ needs and have made adjustments according to those needs. Teachers will continue to reach out to students and families on a regular basis throughout the remainder of the school closure.

For more information, visit the district’s website at www.rocklandschools.org.

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