Fall River Public Schools sets return for some students to partial in-person learning

In a memo sent to families, Superintendent Matthew Malone has outlined the return to partial in-person learning for some students.

“It is always my intent to provide you with timely information to help with your planning and decision making as we navigate what has been a challenging school year for EVERYONE. Please know that I understand the angst, anxiety, fear, and frustration with pretty much everything during this pandemic. I am a parent too, and witness the daily impact that school closure, remote learning, and the lack of social interaction has had on our children. I continue to reiterate that we will use data to make appropriate decisions to maintain the safety and well-being of students AND faculty/staff, as my top priority.”

Malone stated that despite high COVID-19 rates, numbers have been improving.

“Although COVID-19 spread rates are still very high compared to the rest of the Commonwealth, we have seen two consecutive weeks of steep reduction in the rates trending in the right direction. At the same time, we recognize that the Commonwealth’s vaccination program has begun and will accelerate over the next few weeks. In addition, we have PPE, sanitization mitigation tools, and operational mechanisms to run our schools safely for both students and adults as we have done all year. As such, today I am sharing with you my plans to change the current posture from the modified-hybrid model serving only Cohort A in person to our rotating full hybrid model in a strategic phased-in manner.”

On Monday, February 8, 2021 (now the 9th due to Sunday’s storm), Cohort C students in grades K-5 will join Cohort A for in person instruction four days per week (Wednesdays will remain a full remote learning day). There will then be a February break the week of the 15th.

On Monday, February 22, 2021, school will resume welcoming Cohort D students in grades K-5 to join Cohort A for in-person instruction four days per week (Wednesdays will remain a full remote learning day).

On Monday March 1, 2021 FRPS will add grades 6-8 and welcome Cohort C to join Cohort A in grades K-8. The normal rotation will continue, and on March 8, 2021, it will be Cohorts A/D.

According to Malone, until further notice, grades 9-12 will remain in remote learning on-line and staff will provide in-person service to Cohort A 9-12 students only.

Malone stated that the school system will continue to keep an eye on COVID-19 data and will adjust accordingly.