Lawrence Public Schools announced that plans for students to return in-person this fall have been postponed due to a significant increase in confirmed COVID-19 cases.
The decision was made in partnership with public health officials to delay the start of in-person learning for high need students from October 19 to November 30 at the earliest, according to a release issued by Superintendent Cynthia Paris.
The latest reports from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health have classified Lawrence as a high-risk community with the daily average of reported coronavirus cases per 100,000 people sitting at more than 35 cases.
The postponement impacts more than 400 students attending over a dozen schools.
Lawrence Public Schools’ return to learning plan is based on a phased approach, with all students beginning remotely, then with designated groups gradually returning to classrooms in-person over time.