LYNN — Classes began for many students in the city’s public schools on Tuesday, with remaining students returning over the course of the next week.
Elementary school students in grades one through five, sixth graders and ninth graders across the district arrived in classrooms Tuesday. Eighth-grade students at Lynn Vocational Technical Institute and students in grades six through nine at the Fecteau-Leary Junior/Senior High School also returned to school buildings.
“I think today was a good day,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Patrick Tutwiler.
Tuesday was the first in-person first day of school that the district has seen since 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic. Classes began virtually in 2020, and the district moved to a hybrid model later in the year.
Tutwiler said that he had visited several schools on Tuesday, and was happy to see students and staff back in the halls.
“I was both inspired and pleased with what I saw,” he said. “Students showed up and were completely thrilled to be back in person. They were complying with masks and safety protocols.”
The district is requiring masks for all students and faculty in accordance with guidance from the state. They are also providing rapid COVID tests when needed and encouraging anyone who doesn’t feel well to stay home.
Remaining middle-school students and 10th graders will return to class Wednesday; 11th grade students at Fecteau-Leary and all other high-school students will begin on Thursday, with seniors at Fecteau-Leary starting on Friday. All pre-K and kindergarten students, along with remaining special-education students, will return to the classroom on Monday.
Tutwiler said that while the district has often used a staggered start in the past, this year, it was even more important to keep things moving smoothly and safely.
“We’re inviting back smaller groups of kids to get acclimated before everyone is back,” he said.
