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Portland Public Schools extends remote learning to end of school year amid coronavirus, COVID-19 pandemic

Based on a recommendation by Maine’s education commissioner, the district will continue to deliver learning remotely through the end of the 2019-2020 school year

PORTLAND, Maine — The Portland Public Schools will continue to deliver learning remotely throughout the rest of the 2019-2020 school year, instead of until May 4, as previously planned due the coronavirus, COVID-19 pandemic. 

In an April 8 letter sent to PPS families, Superintendent Xavier Botana says he is extending the remote learning plan based on a recommendation April 7 by Maine Education Commissioner Pender Makin.

The commissioner’s decision that Maine school districts should continue with remote learning is supported by the governor. It is based on guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) that recommends an 8 to 20-week timeframe for avoiding large group/in-person instruction once there is evidence of community transmission of COVID-19.

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In his letter, the superintendent says the decision was a difficult one because of the challenges that extending remote learning until the end of the school year pose for everyone in the Portland Public Schools community. However, he said, the safety of staff, students and families is the district’s prime concern.

At NEWS CENTER Maine, we're focusing our news coverage on the facts and not the fear around the illness. To see our full coverage, visit our coronavirus section, here: /coronavirus

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