FRAMINGHAM At Stapleton Elementary School in Framingham, April 5 looked a lot like early September.
Principal Brenda Maurao was in front of the school with other staff members, preparing to welcome students back as the school began to offer full in-person learning five days a week.
The move comes after state Education Commissioner Jeff Riley was granted authority from the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to force schools to offer full in-person learning. He can also determine when partial and full-time remote learning counts toward student learning time requirements.
The state estimates that about 90% of districts are transitioning their elementary schools back to full in-person learning five days a week. Families still retain the right to keep their children fully remote through the end of this academic school year.