Vermont Gov. Phil Scott announced Sunday that all pre-K-12 schools in the state will close no later than Wednesday and remain closed until April 6, according to a news release from Scott’s office.
Students are not required to go to school Monday or Tuesday, if their parents or guardians would prefer to keep them home, Scott said.
“We must ensure children are safe, nourished, and still learning even as the traditional structure of school is disrupted,” Scott said. “The work of educators will be essential in this effort.”
Scott’s announcement said local districts will be tasked with three key components to support the state response:
- Food and special needs services for children
- Collaborating with the state to provide childcare options for health care workers and others essential to the response
- Systems for ensuring maintenance of education during the initial dismissal and a continuing education plan if schools are dismissed for an extended period.
Under the Scott’s order, schools will remain operational for administrators, teachers and staff to sustain essential services and create a continuity of education plan by remote learning, the release said.
