SPS presented their Getting Back to School Safely plan during a press briefing at Rebecca Johnson Elementary School to highlight the health and safety measures implemented and investments made in improving all of Springfield’s school facilities. In addition, the plan identified what protocols and guidelines will be followed for the return to in-person learning. Some of the items include implementing a hybrid in-person learning model; face masks requirements and schedule face masks breaks; daily cleaning, disinfection and sanitization; teachers will travel to their students to limit movement between classes; meals will be served in classrooms not the cafeteria; and a medical waiting room for any potential COVID-19 symptoms will be established.
Mayor Sarno states, “It has been a full year since our students have been in school. I want to thank Superintendent Daniel Warwick and his team, PBRM Director Patrick Sullivan and his facility staff, Health and Human Services Commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris, our Industrial Hygienist Bob Kirchherr, and all of our teachers, staff, parents, and the School Committee for their patience and collaborative efforts in working together to get all of our schools ready for the return to in-person learning. Our number one priority has been and will continue to be the health, safety, and wellbeing of our students, teachers and staff, and giving them a safe and healthy work and learning environment.”
Certain special needs students and grades Pre-K to 6th grade are expected to return to the hybrid model for in-person learning starting April 5th, 2021. Students in 7-8th grades will return on April 26th. The return to in-person learning for high school students will be announced at a later date pending approval from the State Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).
