The Boys and Girls Clubs of Dorchester closed down its afterschool programming for the year on Tuesday due to “an increased number” of Covid-19 cases, according to a letter sent to parents and guardians of club members.
In the Dec. 21 letter, BGCD president Bob Scannell said that the club’s buildings— including the McLaughlin Center on Dorchester Avenue and the Marr Clubhouse on Deer Street, would “reopen safely” on Jan. 4 after contact tracing and a deep cleaning. Scannell wrote that he was “frustrated,” and added that “this closure may have been avoided.
“As parents/caregivers, it is your responsibility to keep your child home if they are not feeling well and, most importantly,” he wrote, “to share any information, such as a positive case of Covid or other illness that may be pertinent to the wellbeing of our members and staff. If you are not certain of how or what to share with us, please call. We serve hundreds of children in meaningful ways each and every day. Our members come from schools all across the city. Without the cooperation of our families, we cannot do this effectively or safely.”
A plan to distribute toys ahead of the Christmas holiday during a Thursday event at the club was cancelled, Scannell said, but a drive-by event will go ahead.
