Fall River Public Schools to see social distancing modifications as hybrid learning is discontinued

Fall River Public Schools will see new social distancing guidelines as children return to full in-person learning next month.

According to Superintendent of Schools Dr. Matthew Malone, a tentative plan has been set due to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary Secondary Education requiring elementary schools to use a full-time, in-person learning model by April 5th for instructional hours to count towards structured learning time. Districts and schools will be required to shift their learning model for middle school grade levels to full-time, in-person instruction five days per week, effective Wednesday, April 28, 2021.

The DESE plan for high schoolers has yet to be determined, however, FRPS is updating their own plan for 9-12 students.

The FRPS tentative working plan for a full return to in-person instruction will be phased in over time beginning with PreK-5 and then progressing to grades 6-12. The two K-8 community schools will follow the PK-5 schedule.

According to Malone, FRPS “will welcome students back for full-time, in-person learning using a minimum of three-foot spacing in classrooms and six-foot spacing during lunches, and through the continued use of masks, frequent hand washing and ongoing sanitization practices. Arrival and dismissal routines may be altered, along with those for Breakfast in the Classroom, lunches and others. At some schools and in some grade levels, teacher assignments may change – both for in-person and remote instruction. For students who elect into the fully remote model, remote instruction may be provided by the live streaming of in-person instruction, and not by a teacher of only fully remote students.”

Parents will still have the option of keeping their child fully remote, however, that option may not continue.

Malone states that if you have questions or concerns, to contact your child’s school principal.