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Massachusetts Department of
Elementary and Secondary Education
75 Pleasant Street, Maldon, Massachusetts 02148-4906 TTelophone: (784) 338-3000
TTY NET. Relay 1-800-439-2370
Jetrey C. Riley
‘Commissioner
March 24, 2021
Maureen Binienda
Superintendent
Worcester Public Schools
20 Irving Street
Worcester, MA 01609
biniendam@worcesterschools.net
Re: Student Learning Time Waiver Request for Worcester Public Schools
Dear Superintendent Binienda:
Tam writing in response to your request for a waiver of the Student Learning Time (SLT)
regulations, 603 CMR 27.00. Specifically, in your email sent on March 19, 2021, Worcester
Public Schools (WPS) has requested the following:
+ Delay implementation of full-time, in-person learning for Grades K-8 to May 3, 2021 to
allow for an incremental return to full-time, in-person instruction.
Its critical that Worcester students return to the classroom as expeditiously as possible after a
‘year of remote learning. We know that families are anxious to have their children back in school
full-time.
However, based on the information provided, your request has been approved. WPS will operate
‘a hybrid model for all K-12 students starting no later than March 29, 2021, and a full-time, in-
person model for all K-8 students starting no later than May 3, 2021.
Please note that for elementary students there can be no further delays past the waiver dates of
March 29 for hybrid and May 3 for a full-time return, and we strongly urge district leadership to
bring students back earlier if at all possible. It is also unlikely that WPS will be granted any
further waivers for returning middle or high school students to full-time, in-person school.
With this waiver approval and the extra time granted to plan for an in-person return, we expect a
well-executed opening day for hybrid on March 29 and for full-time, in-person school on May 3.
‘Thank you for your continued work on behalf of students in the Commonwealth, Please contact
‘SLTsupport@mass.gov if you have any questions regarding this response,
Sincerely,
HeLa
Jeflrey C. Riley
‘Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education
