Curley K-8 School closed for in-person learning for 10 days due to rising COVID cases

BOSTON — Due to a rise in COVID cases, the Curley K-8 School will not hold in-person learning for 10 days starting Wednesday. The Boston Public Health Commission advised the school to switch from in-person learning to remote learning, according to an email sent to the Curley community.

Officials say this is an effort to immediately stop the spread and provide time to add staffing capacity to fully implement the test and stay and contact tracing programs. Superintendent Brenda Cassellius said that there have been more than 45 confirmed positive cases across several classrooms in the last three weeks.

The school is asking anyone on campus to self-isolate and avoid large groups for the next five days and then get tested. They also recommend the families get tested.

“The interesting thing is we are right at the edge,” said parent Swati Mehta. “My daughter has an actual vaccine appointment, so it’s a tease.”

The outbreak includes vaccinated and unvaccinated students and staff. In a meeting with parents, the Boston Public Health Commission said the increase in cases was so rapid the school could not continue to manage the test-and-stay program.

“It isn’t really about the number of cases, it’s more about the ability to run this program,” said BPHC Executive Director Dr. Bisola Ojikutu. “That’s why we’re going to take some time and build capacity, build resources and work on before reopening.”

Teachers sent all of their students home with Chromebooks because they will be going remote at least until Monday, November 22.

“They want to keep everyone safe,” said parent Jon O’Connor. “I feel bad for the kids. I know they had a hard time last year being remote.”

“My teachers told me the school was closing,” said student Nora O’Connor. “A little bit sad because I have to stay with my nanny all day and it’s super boring. I would rather go to school and have fun.”

The school does recognize there could be some equity concerns that arise with this news. It says it will still be feeding children in need at the school and that all students have access to online tutoring.

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