BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — According to Mayor Marty Walsh, Boston Public Schools are preparing to reopen in the fall with either a hybrid model of in-person and remote learning, or a period of all-remote learning.
Mayor Walsh said Wednesday he expects to release his plan for reopening the city's schools within the next two or three weeks. While the city went through "a crisis-response" during the spring semester, Walsh said the fall semester will be more planned and supported.
"I want to be clear about our priorities. Keeping everyone safe comes first," said Walsh. "We will be guided by the science and the data, as we have been throughout this pandemic. We will not start the year with all in-person learning, because it’s not safe."
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Whether classes begin fully-remote or a mix of remote and in-person, Walsh said school buildings are prepared to come back in a COVID-19 world; BPS facilities have been fitted with updated filtration systems, sanitation machines, and there are hand washing stations at entryways and in nurses rooms.
There are also more than 5,000 protective separators being installed, and each school will soon be provided an electrostatic sprayer. On top of making sure every school is physically safe, Walsh said the City has also been working to strengthen students' remote learning options.
"[We're] expanding technology and internet access, creating new outreach and support plans for families, developing solutions for Special Ed students and English learners, and talking with child care providers about the role that they will be playing," said Walsh.
WBZ NewsRadio's Karyn Regal reports:
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