AMHERST — More than 70% of students at the three Amherst elementary schools will be returning for in-school education next month.
Superintendent Michael Morris told the Amherst School Committee this week that surveys of families show that 711 students are committed to being in classrooms in April, with Fort River, Wildwood and Crocker Farm schools each having between 200 and 250 students in the buildings.
“Most kids are coming back,” Morris said, adding that those in school will represent 71% to 78% of enrollment.
The remaining students will continue to be taught remotely through the end of the school year.
The average class size in schools will be 15.1 students, Morris said, “significantly lower than our typical size.” This will allow for keeping a 6-foot distance between students.
Two remote classrooms will remain for each grade level, spread among the Amherst schools and Pelham Elementary School, with an average class size of 18.5 students. The Caminantes dual language program at Fort River will also be taught remotely.
Three multi-age in-person classrooms were created as part of the plan. Students will be in school from 9:30 a.m. to 3:10 p.m.
Kindergarten through second grades would start April 5, with a waiver sought from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for third through sixth graders to begin April 12.
Some staff will be have different roles when students return to classrooms, but Morris said most classroom teachers will continue to teach the same grade levels to which they have been assigned.
Transportation will be an initial challenge, Morris said. More than half of families intend to drop their children off, which could cause issues with vehicles spilling out of the driveways and parking lots at the school buildings if their arrival is not staggered.
School Committee member Heather Lord praised Morris, school staff and administrators for putting together a return plan so quickly.
“Gratitude for such a thoughtful plan that is faithfully implemented from what is a very tall order from the school committee,” added committee member Peter Demling.
