AMHERST — Full-time, in-person instruction is anticipated at public schools in Amherst and Pelham this fall, while face coverings are likely to be required for students and staff when they are in the buildings, according to a letter Superintendent Michael Morris sent to families this week.
In the message sent to the public school community Tuesday, Morris gave a preliminary update in advance of the Aug. 30 first day of school indicating that measures aimed at controlling the spread of COVID-19 and its variants, used when buildings reopened in the spring, remain in place.
This comes after consultation with Amherst Health Director Emma Dragon, public schools nurse leader Robbin Suprenant and a team of local physicians focused, in part, on the highly transmissible Delta variant.
“Based on that feedback, I anticipate that face coverings will continue to be required indoors for students and staff, regardless of vaccination status, at the start of the school year,” Morris wrote.
Morris added that school employees are making spaces as safe as possible, with the facilities and custodial team doing extra cleaning and sanitizing and undertaking improvements that include enhanced ventilation through expanded air purification systems in all large group spaces, such as gyms, cafeterias and auditoriums, and arranging classrooms in accordance with health and safety guidelines.
The message also observes that start times are being adjusted as approved by the school committees and that the transportation department is finalizing bus routes.
Elementary schools will start around 8:10 a.m. and dismiss at around 2:40 p.m., meaning those students will arrive and depart 30 minutes earlier than they have in the past. Secondary schools will begin around 9 a.m. and dismiss at around 3:35 p.m. For middle and high schoolers, these times are 80 minutes later than in previous years.
For those using buses, students will have to wear masks, and bus windows will be open. Unlike last school year, though, more than one child can be in each seat. Families will continue to be welcome to drive their children to school, though Morris suggests carpooling as a way to reduce traffic and congestion and limit the carbon footprint.
Morris ended his letter by informing families that free breakfasts and lunches will be federally supported again, and giving a plug for everyone eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine to do so, noting it can prevent COVID-19, limit its spread, and reduce the chance of hospitalization and death for those who get infected.
