Classes Will Begin at 10:48 a.m. on Friday, March 13
ANDOVER — Superintendent John Lavoie reports that Greater Lawrence Technical School (GLTS) will close its facility next week out of an abundance of caution in an effort to reduce the risk of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) to the school community. Additionally, the school will open tomorrow with a three-hour delay.
GLTS leadership has decided to close the school temporarily after significant consideration, and in an effort to proactively mitigate the risk of exposure to the virus to students and staff. At this time, there have been no positive or presumed positive cases of the virus in the school community.
“The safety and wellbeing of our students and staff is our main concern at all times, and we have decided to close Greater Lawrence Tech temporarily in order to reduce our community’s risk of exposure to this virus as much as possible,” Superintendent Lavoie said. “This is all in an effort to proactively address the COVID-19 situation. I would also like to thank the GLTS community for their patience and cooperation throughout this challenging, evolving situation.”
From Monday, March 16 through Friday, March 20, GLTS will close its facilities, and students will continue their studies online with the assistance of technologies including Chromebooks and Google Classroom. Educators will be available by email and Google Classroom to assist students throughout the week with their studies and assignments.
All adult education and after hours programs for area high school students have been cancelled next week. All before and after school events, including athletic games and practices, have also been cancelled next week.
GLTS will be providing wraparound services to ensure students have access to resources and programs to meet a variety of needs next week. GLTS staff will additionally be regularly checking in with students who may need extra help and support next week. Information about the various supports and services that will be provided to students while the facility is closed will also be shared on the school’s website at glts.net.
Administrators will be in close communication with educators throughout next week to ensure they have the support and resources necessary to continue their lessons and assist students.
Additionally, GLTS will have a three hour delay on Friday, March 13 and classes will begin at 10:48 a.m. Students will attend all classes, receive instructions from their teachers for next week and have the opportunity to visit the help desk and various supports during the school day. The three hour delay will allow GLTS educators and staff to meet, plan for next week and secure the necessary resources for online learning.
While students and educators are out of the building, GLTS will conduct a comprehensive and thorough disinfecting and sanitizing effort throughout the facility. This effort is in addition to the daily cleaning regimen the school has implemented in recent weeks in light of the virus and as is customary during flu season.
Symptoms of the virus include fever, cough and shortness of breath, and can appear between two and 14 days after exposure, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Anyone who experiences symptoms and believes they may have the virus is advised to contact their health care provider. For more information from the CDC for those who may have the virus, click here.
GLTS also wishes to encourage students and staff to follow recommended preventative steps from the DPH:
- Practice good hand hygiene! Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds including under your fingernails. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol content) can be used when soap and water are not available.
- Keep your hands away from your face.
- Cover your nose and mouth when sneezing and coughing with a tissue and discard it immediately. Cough into the sleeve over your elbow instead of your hand. Wash your hands often when coughing and sneezing.
- Stay away from people who are sick and stay home when you are sick.
For more information, visit the DPH website by clicking here and the CDC’s website by clicking here.
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