In the latest move in Massachusetts to halt the spread of the coronavirus, Governor Charlie Baker has extended the shutdown of all schools into early May.
Baker said all public and private K-12 schools and all non-emergency day care facilities must remain closed until May 4th.
The Republican governor had back on March 15 ordered a three-week shutdown of schools.
Jeff Rielly, the Commissioner of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education said the state will develop progaming for remote learning in every school district. He said accomodations will be made for children who don't have broadband internet access at home.
The Boston-based public television station WGBH will offer educational programming from noon-5 p.m.
"We recognize that this is a traumatic time for our kids. We want to get them settled, and then we want to get them into a routine," said Rielly.
He also said this was an opportunity to expand project-based learning from "cooking to planting a garden."
