New Bedford Public Schools to Go Full-Remote Before Vacation

According to a recent press release, New Bedford Public Schools will switch to all-distance learning from Monday, December 21 to Wednesday, December 23. This is just before the holiday vacation. All-distance learning will continue for the first week after break, from Monday, January 4 to Friday, January 8, 2021.

“New Bedford Public Schools, currently using a hybrid model to serve almost 9,000 students in-person and another 4,000 remotely, will convert the last 2 and a half school days leading up to the holiday break to full distance learning days.” Wednesday, December 23 is a half-day. Superintendent Thomas Anderson announced the change at the December 14 meeting of the New Bedford School Committee.

“Our staff continues to do an excellent job keeping the teaching and learning process moving at a high level. The conversion of these final 2 and a half days before the holiday break to the distance-learning platform will assist as high numbers of staff have been out for a variety of reasons including being close contacts,” said Superintendent Anderson. “While positivity rates are up regionally and across the country, contract tracing currently shows that there has been no transmission of the virus in our schools. This adjustment in the learning schedule adds one more preemptive health measure,” he added.

All instruction will occur virtually December 21-23. The holiday break starts on the afternoon of Wednesday, December 23, and runs through Sunday, January 3, 2021.

All NBPS schools and PRAB administrative offices will be open December 21-23 and NBPS employees who cannot work from home in their capacity are required to come into their school or office. NBPS facilities and maintenance staff will report to work as scheduled.

Monday (December 21), Tuesday (December 22), and Wednesday (December 23): ALL students in all cohorts will participate in the distance-learning platform and there will be no in-person classes.
January 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8: will be Distance Learning Days for ALL students (including Cohort A) – there will be no in-person learning on these days.
January 11, 2021: The current NBPS Hybrid model resumes with in-person learning for Cohort A (5-days). Cohorts B and C resume their 2-day in-person/3-day distance schedule. Cohort D students remain fully in the Distance Learning Academy.

Grab ‘n’ Go meals will be available for pickup at selected school locations, December 21-23, as well as during the week of January 4-8, 2021. Details on Grab ‘n’ Go hours and locations will be posted on the NBPS Facebook page and the NBPS homepage.

Superintendent Anderson advised families and students to monitor the district’s website, social media platforms, and local media for additional announcements and news as it develops.

In a letter to staff and families today detailing the schedule changes, Superintendent Anderson stated, “We all know that we are in a fluid situation and adjustments may be necessary in the coming days or weeks. As always, thank you for your support as we continue to work together.”