March 13, 2020
Dear APS Community,
Over the past several weeks, the Andover Public Schools has closely followed the recommendations of Center for Disease Control, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Governor’s Office and the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association on how to best address the growing crisis around the Coronavirus and COVID-19 in terms of cleaning, health and hygiene, prevention measures, and school closure. At this point, I believe that the district needs to take a more proactive approach to containment of the spread of the virus.
Andover Public Schools will close for the next two weeks, from March 16 through March 27, and be prepared to close for a longer period, if necessary. I realize that this decision has a serious economic, social and educational impact on our students and families. We are confronting an unprecedented situation that requires this type of independent action on the school district’s part.
Effective Monday, March 16, 2020 for Andover Public Schools:
The Andover Public Schools will be closed for students from Monday, March 16 to Friday, March 27, 2020.
Learning materials will be available for pick-up at your school on Tuesday, if your child was absent today.
While we have maintained clean schools and regularly disinfected common areas and high-touch surfaces, this closure will enable us to continue thoroughly cleaning all schools.
It is our goal to keep cafeterias open in two to three schools, in order to make box lunches available to students participating in the free or reduced lunch program. We will communicate which cafeterias are open and when on our website.
Before March 26, the district will review the state of the spread of the virus as well as recommendations from health authorities and decide whether to continue with the closure, or open school to serve students.
Andover Public Schools is committed to the safety and well-being of our students, faculty and staff, and families. It is our hope that these few weeks will offer better clarity on how best to balance this unprecedented situation with our students’ well-being and learning. We will communicate with families on how to access additional information as it becomes available.
Please visit the district’s website for updated information. We understand this is a difficult time and your own health and safety are our highest priority.
Shelley Berman
Superintendent