Whittier Tech Closure Extended Through End of Academic Year

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

HAVERHILL — Superintendent Maureen Lynch announces that, in accordance with a new order from Gov. Charlie Baker and the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Whittier Tech 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 for students will be now Monday, June 22.

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, sending districts food pick-up service for students and families will continue. More information about those programs can be found here.

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.

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

“While we are saddened to hear that students will not be returning to participate in Whittier Tech’s programs in person for the remainder of this academic year, we understand that this decision was made for the everyone’s safety,” Superintendent Lynch said. “While this has been an unprecedented situation, we have planned for this potential extension of the closure and have modeled our remote programs to allow students stay engaged in their learning.”

Remote Learning

Remote learning will continue through the end of the school year and new content will continue to be introduced to students by their teachers.

Commissioner Riley will be releasing additional guidance and recommendations to school districts statewide within the coming days and an announcement will be made about any changes to the current remote learning plan.

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.

Members of the community are invited to review Whittier Tech’s Remote Learning Plan by clicking here.

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