The Oliver Ames Class of 2020 will not attend another class at OA after Gov. Baker Tuesday cancelled school for the remainder of this year.
“We believe students therefore cannot safely return to school and avoid the risk of transmitting this virus to others,” Baker said. “It’s the right thing to do, considering the facts on the ground associated with the COVID 19 pandemic.”
School administrators were quick to reach out to students – especially seniors, who have seen their last day at the school.
“First of all, I feel your pain and disappointment,” Principal Paul said in a letter to the senior class. “Please know that each of you hold such a special place in my heart and with today’s announcement, I am especially burdened for you.”
“I am sure you are overwhelmed with emotions. You have every right to feel frustrated and angry that many milestones we expected to share and celebrate together will not happen or will happen in a way that is vastly different from what we thought. We have to grieve this reality of loss,” he wrote.
Mr. Paul said what comes next for seniors and OA as a whole will be worked out in the coming days.
“We now have to prepare for our collective response to this tragic time in our history and embrace the challenges and sacrifices that we all will have to make,” he wrote. “We will persevere. We will join together: students, families, teachers, and administrators and find ways to celebrate your academic, athletic, musical and personal accomplishments.”
Mr. Paul will meet virtually with class officers on Wednesday. He said plans are in the works for a number of school spirit events.
“You have set the bar high as a Class with integrity, unity, and talent. Thank you for making all of us proud and rest assured that we will celebrate your accomplishments and educational journey with some creative Senior Class events unique to our time,” he wrote.
In her own letter to the school community, Easton Superintendent Lisha Cabral announced that in order to follow Gov. Baker’s latest order in regards to public schooling in Massachusetts, the 2019-2020 school year has been canceled.
“The Easton Public Schools shall remain closed through the end of the 2019-2020 academic year as a precaution against the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Cabral outlined several important points in her letter:
- “While schools remain closed, a ‘Grab and Go’ meal program for students and families is available. Information on food resources is available here.”
- “All athletic programs, events and after school activities will remain suspended and fields, playgrounds and play areas will remain closed until further notice.”
As mentioned in previous articles, MCAS has been canceled as of the statement of the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Jeffrey Riley.
Cabral said “discussions about events like graduation, prom and academic awards ceremonies will take place in the coming days and weeks and further information will be shared as it becomes available.”
There are no clear answers about end-of-year activities for seniors and all students at OA, but more information and answers are soon to come.
Thirty-six states have already cancelled school for the remainder of the 2019-2020 year.