Gov. Baker Extends Statewide School Closure Through End of School Year
Superintendent John Lavoie reports that, in accordance with a new order from Gov. Charlie Baker and the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Greater Lawrence Tech will 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 at Greater Lawrence Tech is scheduled to be June 18.
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.
The district will continue to provide breakfast and lunch meals Monday through Friday to students in need for the remainder of the school year, which are available for pickup at designated locations.
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 addressed in the coming days and weeks and further information will be shared as it becomes available.
“Our faculty and staff have worked incredibly hard to offer engaging and valuable remote learning opportunities to our students, and we will continue to do so throughout the remainder of the school year,” Superintendent Lavoie said. “We have been planning for this possibility for several weeks now, and will provide updated information to our students and their families about our remote learning plans as soon as we are given additional guidance from the Department of Secondary and Elementary Education.”
Remote Learning
Remote learning will continue through the end of the school year, June 18, 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.
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 https://www.glts.net/.