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FRANKLIN

Starting April 19, Franklin City Public Schools will begin a four-day in-person instructional week for all grade levels.

Franklin’s School Board approved Superintendent Dr. Tamara Sterling’s recommendation, which calls for four days of in-person learning and virtual instruction on the remaining weekday, at its April 1 work session.

The school division began a three-day-a-week hybrid in-person/virtual schedule March 15 following receipt of a letter from Gov. Ralph Northam to school superintendents, in which he stated his expectation that all public schools resume some type of in-person instruction by that date “to prevent irreparable learning loss and psychological damage.”

After reviewing data and receiving feedback from principals, Sterling believes four days in-person will help further close learning loss gaps.

“I would like us to really seize the moment and take advantage of working with our students that are in our buildings,” she said.

The division still requires masks upon entering any school buildings, including the central office, and social distancing.