ROCHESTER — Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School outlined a plan on March 16, responding to Governor Charlie Baker’s orders on that shut down all schools in the state for at least three weeks. 

The school is officially closed to all visitors and non-essential staff through Monday, April 6 with a tentative plan to return to school on Tuesday, April 7. 

A status update will be distributed to the Old Colony community on March 20, with next steps for the following two weeks. 

“This action, as part of a statewide strategy, will be most effective with the help and cooperation of the community,” wrote Superintendent-Director Aaron Polansky in his letter to school community members. “If you do not assist us in this manner we may be staying out of school for no effective result.” 

All school activities are canceled through April 6 too, though Old Colony is “working to reschedule things wherever possible in the coming weeks.”

Administrators added that, “We understand that there will be questions about AP classes, college application deadlines, prom and other special events but we cannot answer yet.” 

During the closure, the school will be cleaned and disinfected using a deeper disinfection strategy. As a result of the closure and state mandates Rochester’s last day of school will be June 19. 

The state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education said it might be possible to get an MCAS waiver from the Department of Education. The Grade 10 MCAS tests scheduled during the school closures have been postponed.  

Students in need of assistance for meals should contact the School’s Food Service Director Crystal Andrade at candrade@oldcolony.info.