BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Boston Mayor Marty Walsh said during a press conference Thursday that students in pre-K through grade 3 will be allowed to return to in-person learning the week of March 1.
Walsh said this will potentially add another 7,900 students for a total of 15,600 students allowed back in Boston schools.
“I’m not going to rush our kids back into school, but I also don’t want to see our kids out of school for the entire school year,” Walsh said. “This process is a safe process and we’re going to continue to move forward with our reopening.”
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High priority students were allowed to return to in-person learning on Feb. 1. Grades 4-8 will be allowed back the week of March 15, and grades 9-12 will be able to return the week of March 29.
“It will be the first time that our kids will be in school in nearly a year. We’re making sure that our classrooms and buildings are safe for students, teachers, [and] staff,” Walsh said.
According to Walsh, some of the safety measures include air purifiers in every occupied space, frequent air quality testing, and best possible filters in all HVAC systems, medical grade PPE for all staff, and disposable masks for students and staff.
“Our health safety protocols go beyond CDC guidelines in our schools, beyond state guidelines and beyond the vast majority of districts and what they’re doing here in the Commonwealth, and quite honestly, across our country,” Walsh said. “We’ll continue to review the state and federal school reopening guidelines in our planning, and closely collaborate with the Boston Public Health Commission on all health and safety measures.”
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