NEW: Raimondo to Announce RI Schools to Remain Closed for Remainder of School Year

NEW: Raimondo to Announce RI Schools to Remain Closed for Remainder of School Year

Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo is expected to announce Thursday that Rhode Island schools will remain closed for the remainder of the school year, and distance learning to continue during that time. 

“In the best interest of the health, safety and well-being of all school communities this was the right decision.  I am sure, that given the fiscal impact, and level of poverty within our state that this decision was not made easily or without angst,” Providence Teachers Union President Maribeth Calabro told GoLocalProv.com.

On Tuesday, Massachusetts Governor Charlier Baker announced schools would be kept closed for the remainder of the year. Rhode Island education officials are meeting on a conference call at 11:30 a.m. — Raimondo’s daily briefing will be at 1 P.M.

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“Moving forward, with the same urgency we built the distance learning system with, we must work together to find resources, and build a sustainable system to feed our children throughout the summer, get them the social/ emotional supports they need and continue to communicate and check-in on them regularly,” said Calabro. 

“The learning piece is important but it is only a small piece of the larger equation.  PTU teachers want to continue to showcase their skills and leadership abilities for the benefit of our students long past Distance Learning,” said Calabro.