Reopening Update - July 30

Dear Whittier Tech Community,

I would like to provide you with an update regarding our reopening plan for the fall. Please know that our final plan will be based on what will best protect the health and safety of our students, staff and their families. That has been and will continue to be our top priority.

We will be using the guidance issued by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) on Wednesday, July 29, which can be found in full here. These guidelines are fluid and may change as the situation surrounding COVID-19 progresses.

We will release more specific information about how our programs will be run this fall should students return to the campus in the next week or so, but wanted to highlight some of the key aspects that will go into developing a final plan based on the state’s guidance.

In general, we will need to follow the in-person learning guidelines sent out by DESE last month for all schools in the state. That document can be read in its entirety here. These measures include staying home when sick, symptom screening, physical distancing, use of masks, frequent hand hygiene, and improving ventilation as is feasible. Additionally, we will be looking into other preventative measures such as creating outdoor workspaces, safety training for students regarding COVID-19 prevention, safe equipment and materials sharing practices, and different avenues to maintain safe student collaboration.

Wednesday’s guidance also provides specific health and safety guidelines for the culinary arts, early education and care, cosmetology, automotive technology and automotive collision, and graphic communications and marketing programs for the initial months of the academic year. These guidelines include limiting interaction with the public, setting up disinfecting stations, providing appointment-based services only and utilizing online payment methods.

Additionally, co-op placement and internships will be limited to seniors only. Furthermore, clinical sites for health careers are not accepting students at this time due to the increased risk of exposure to COVID-19. It is expected that students will not be able to work at these clinical sites for at least the first two months of the school year and we will share any updates after that time.

We will continue to share information with you as it becomes available. Thank you for your patience and understanding, and please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Maureen Lynch - Superintendent