MARBLEHEAD — Beginning Monday and extending for at least two weeks, classes at Marblehead High are going back to a 100 percent remote format due to a large house party that was broken up Friday, at which major COVID-19-prevention protocols were not followed, School Superintendent John J. Buckey wrote in a letter to parents.
The letter, dated Sunday, also puts all athletics and other extracurricular activities on hold until at least Monday, Nov. 7, Buckey said.
“This past Friday evening, Marblehead police responded to a house party wherein young people were gathered together without social distancing or face coverings, sharing drinks and generally ignoring the standards our community has set to manage COVID-19,” Buckey wrote. “Upon the arrival of the police the attendees scattered so as not to be caught. We all know this is not a new thing for teenagers. However, these are not ordinary times. “
Buckey discussed the matter with a wide array of community leaders, including Andrew Petty, director of Public Health; Police Chief Robert Picariello; Select Board Chair Jackie Belf-Becker; Deanna McMahon, lead nurse for Marblehead Public Schools; Town Administrator Jason Silva; School Committee Chair Sarah Gold; Todd Belfbecker, Board of Health chair; Nan Murphy, assistant school superintendent; Joan Miller, Marblehead Education Association president; high school principal Dan Bauer; and high school resource officer Andy Clark.
Buckey told parents the group was concerned that it could not identify specific party attendees. It also followed the lead of other communities — such as Lincoln-Sudbury and Dover-Sherborn — that handled similar incidents in recent weeks.
Also, he said, the group went over Gov. Baker’s COVID-19 gathering limits, which stipulate that indoor gatherings be limited to 25 people and outdoor gatherings at private residences be limited to 50.
In making what he termed a “frustrating announcement,” Buckey and the committee “weighed the risks and benefits to our students, staff and the community. We also acknowledged that while today’s discussion centered around one house party, we are aware that this is not, in fact, a singular event.
“There is a troubling pattern of behavior in play, which can be seen across our community. There were arguments to be made, and were, in favor of remaining in our current model or pivoting to remote learning,” he said.
Buckey said that while he understood that a case could be made for closing schools district-wide, “the information we have about this being specific to high school age students compels me to focus on moving only MHS to remote learning at this time.
“If there are no cases identified (for now until Nov. 6), then hybrid high school may restart on Nov. 9,” he wrote. “If we identify COVID cases during this time we may need to reassess.”
Buckey urged parents or guardians of students who went to the party, or came in contact with anyone who did, to bring their sons or daughters for COVID testing and require that they quarantine in the next two weeks. The same goes for the families of those who attended the party, he said.
“Since many party attendees were not able to be identified, this is essentially voluntary but strongly encouraged,” he said. “If this impacts your family, please contact your building principal to arrange remote learning for siblings.”
Students in the Voice and Bridge programs at the high school should proceed with their in-person schedules, Buckley said.
The SAT administration scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 7 will continue, Buckey said, provided the district can proceed according to the published community standards.
“We started with remote learning in Marblehead so that, in the event of an episode like this, we could pivot quickly to a remote model,” he said. “Marblehead High School families will receive a subsequent communication (the) administration regarding schedules and process.”
Buckey said he understood the need for young people to be together, and “as far away from adults as possible.”
However, he said, “in choosing to ignore the rules set down by the Governor and our community in the pandemic, however, we are not just endangering individuals … we are also potentially harming the community at large. There is a multi-pronged effort in place across town departments, leaders and citizens, and we are all working together with diligence and compliance not only to keep our schools open but to keep our businesses and restaurants open as well. This isn’t just a school conversation. This is a community conversation. And the bottom line is that what we don’t know about this situation absolutely can hurt us.”