Kids return to school with Covid close behind
By Declan Andrews, Staff Writer
April 5, 2021
The Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education released new guidelines for reopening following a controversial vote that left the power to force schools into reopening in the hands of education commissioner, Jeffrey Riley, rather than the individual districts.
Charlie Baker, the Massachusetts state governor, has been vocal in his support for a statewide reopening since February.
“We’ve seen the repercussions of prolonged remote learning for our kids,” Baker said in a recent press conference. “Their social, mental, and emotional well-being has been impacted. Kids want to be in school learning alongside their friends.”
While medical professionals agree with Baker that online learning brings a new array of health concerns, noting the recent uptick in childhood depression, suicidal thoughts, domestic violence, the CDC still advises against reopening until their guidelines are met.
According to an analysis released by The New York Times on March 2, only one Massachusetts county was found to meet those guidelines - rural Franklin County.
Nevertheless, the Norwood school committee is moving forward with plans to fully reopen schools.
Norwood elementary schools are expected to return to fully in-person learning by Monday, April 5, 2021.
The Coakley Middle School is expected to shift to fully in-person learning after April break.
Vivica Coard, a student at NHS says she has “been taking every precaution since the pandemic began to stay healthy because [her] sister is immune-compromised” and added that she doesn't yet “feel safe returning to a crowded school.”
Like many Norwood residents, Coard has not gotten a chance to get the vaccine and says “we shouldn’t be trying to get back so fast; everyone should at least be vaccinated first.”