Pentucket Regional School District Closure Extended Through End of Academic Year
Gov. Baker Extends Statewide School Closure Through End of School Year
WEST NEWBURY — Superintendent Justin Bartholomew announces that, in accordance with a new order from Gov. Charlie Baker and the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Pentucket Regional School District 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 Pentucket schools 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.
Pentucket Regional School District will continue to partner with Whittier Tech to provide lunches and breakfasts to families in need for the remainder of the school year. Pentucket families in need of food support services are also encouraged to contact Our Nieghbor’s Table for help with securing groceries. The organization’s general inquiries phone number is 978-388-1907 and for emergency food assistance, call 978-835-3016.
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.
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. The district is additionally going to work with the Class of 2020 advisers and officers to develop a solution regarding graduation once further guidance is provided on the matter by the state.
“We have been planning for the possibility that schools would not be reopening this school year due to COVID-19 for some time now, and want students, parents, guardians, faculty and staff to know that we are prepared to expand upon our remote learning efforts as soon as we receive further guidance from the state,” Superintendent Bartholomew said. “We are deeply saddened to know that we won’t be meeting face-to-face again this school year with our students, but will continue working with students to keep them engaged and learning.”
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://prsd.org/.
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