Parents, students react to MA canceling the rest of the school year
Massachusetts is now the latest state to announce students will not return to school for the remainder of the school year.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) – Massachusetts is now the latest state to announce students will not return to school for the remainder of the school year.
Governor Charlie Baker announced the decision Tuesday afternoon.
“The end of the year may not proceed as planned, but there will be, because there always are, brighter days ahead,” said Baker.
But now parents and students will have to make the adjustment to continue remote learning at home for another several weeks.
Some parents and students in southeastern Massachusetts told ABC 6 they did see the cancellation coming and they’re just trying to stay positive and make the best of it.
“Life’s going to be different for a while and we have no choice but to make that adjustment,” said former Taunton Mayor and parent, Tom Hoye.
For more than a month, Massachusetts students have been learning remotely from home to keep the virus from spreading at schools.
“It’s definitely different,” said High School Student Sophie Hoye. “We don’t have like our classmates next to us and it’s definitely and adjustment but it’s going really good.”
Hoye has been learning at home with her siblings.
“So far so good. But now we’re in it for the long haul so we’ll see what the next six or seven weeks bring with it,” said her father Tom.
In Fall River, mother Diane Oliver tells me she’s been anticipating the extended closure for a while now.
“I just felt it – like my mommy instincts said, this is going to be a permanent thing,” explained Oliver. “So I had a little bit of a meltdown, but I’m a person of, ‘Shake it off, let’s do this.'”
She says she’s tried to create structured classes and routine for her four children, who are all under the age of 11.
“I say to them all the time, ‘We’re in school, I’m your teacher, it’s Mrs. Oliver now. We are in school and it’s serious business,'” said Oliver.
One thing everyone seems to agree on – how well the teachers are handling things.
“Teachers have been amazing,” said Oliver.
“You’re doing a great job and keep doing what you’re doing,” said Hoye. “And I know it’s hard for all of us, and we’re all in this together.”
Governor Gina Raimondo said at Tuesday’s press conference that she is planning to announce her decision on what will happen with Rhode Island’s schools later this week.
