HYANNIS – Mashpee, Barnstable, Bourne, Sturgis, Plymouth, Martha’s Vineyard, Upper Cape Tech, and Sandwich Public Schools have announced that they have cancelled all classes through out the next two weeks and Falmouth Public Schools has cancelled all classes through March 30 due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Cape Cod Regional Technical High School has joined the list of schools that are closing for the foreseeable future, as they will be cancelling classes and other activities for two weeks starting on Monday, March 16.
Mashpee, Barnstable, Bourne, Upper Cape Tech, and Sturgis could potentially re-open March 27.
The Dennis-Yarmouth Regional School District and Wareham Public Schools will be closed for the week of Monday, March 16 through Friday, March 20.
The call for Sandwich was made by Dr. Pamela Gould, the town’s school superintendent, this afternoon. The decision was confirmed in a Facebook post. She said that the decision was not made lightly, and that the department is aware of the impact this makes to families across the town.
Gould and other officials will determine if a longer closure is needed over the next two weeks.
All Barnstable Public Schools, including the Family and Community Engagement Center located at HYCC, and all school grounds, will be closed for a minimum period of two weeks.
Given the fluidity of the situation, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Meg Mayo-Brown said that officials will regularly reassess the viability of reopening. Any extension of the closure beyond March 30, will be communicated to the Barnstable Public School community as soon as a decision is made.
Patricia DeBoer, superintendent of Mashpee Public Schools, said that this closure is being taken as a preemptive measure in order to “provide social distancing strategies,” and she advises all members of the school community to avoid group events during the closure period.
Falmouth made the decision after consulting with Town of Falmouth Health Department and School Department physician, Dr. Gregory Parkinson.
New Bedford Public Schools will be closed until at least March 23.
Cape Cod still does not have any confirmed cases of COVID-19, but many institutions across the area have cancelled or postponed operations out of caution.
More details will be provided when they become available.
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