Mayor Curtatone's Statement on School Remaining Closed Through End of Academic Year

"We know this isn't easy for anyone, but it is what we must do to protect the health of the entire society around us."

I fully support Governor Baker's decision to keep Massachusetts schools closed for the remainder of the school year. It is the only sensible decision as we find ourselves in the surge phase of this pandemic. We simply cannot secure public health at this time by sending thousands of students, teachers, and staff back to school in our community.

This is a hard blow to students who will be missing the social interaction of school, graduations, proms, sports seasons, plays, concerts, and field trips, but it is the necessary response to the gravity of the moment in which we live. Like other municipalities across the state, our school system is working to make sure students and families have the resources they need to participate in online learning.

We thank students, parents, and teachers for the extra effort they've put into adapting to these trying times. We know this isn't easy for anyone, but it is what we must do to protect the health of the entire society around us.

–Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone

For more information and regular COVID-19 updates, visit www.somervillema.gov/coronavirus and sign up for City alerts at www.somervillema.gov/Alerts. We urge you to sign up for every alert method you are able to receive: phone call, text, email. Also, follow FB.com/SomervilleCity and @SomervilleCity.