Dear Families and Staff,
Today the Governor’s Office announced, that due to the impact of COVID-19, schools in Connecticut will be closed until May 20, 2020. The Commissioner of Education acknowledges that this was not an easy decision and is cognizant of the impact on families. However, the health and safety of our community must remain our primary focus during this all-consuming pandemic.
While not returning to our school buildings at this time is a sad reality for all of us, I am particularly sensitive to the disappointment felt by our senior class. Please know that we are working in conjunction with principals to engage students, parents, teachers, and staff representatives from all three high schools to assist us with developing a plan for end of the year senior activities, including plans for graduation.
As we all continue to process this information, please be assured that we have been planning in anticipation of an extended closure and there are several pieces of information I would like to share with you.
Distance learning will resume on Monday, April 13, 2020, when we return to classes after spring break. The central office team has been working hard over the past several weeks to prepare Phase II of our Distance Teaching & Learning Plan. Phase II was developed with the following goals in mind:
Promote student well-being and sense of connection with teachers and peers.
Advance student learning through use of at-home learning plans and online resources.
Support students and families with at-home learning routines and expectations.
By the end of next week, families will receive detailed information from your child’s principal regarding Phase II implementation of our Distance Teaching & Learning Plan. We will officially transition to Phase II the week of April 20, 2020.
We realize that connectivity is an issue for some of our families. A supply of Wi-Fi hotspots have been ordered for families who do not have Wi-Fi access and are currently being distributed to those families who have expressed this need. If you are in need of internet access or other support resources, please contact the principal at your child’s school.
We are excited to announce that we have received two generous gifts which will enhance student learning during this period of closure. Every Pre-K through 8th grade student will receive a Scholastic Book Pack and every high school student will be loaned a laptop computer. These items are expected to arrive in our district by early May. As soon as they arrive, we will work with central office and building administrators to implement a safe distribution plan so that our students can benefit from these exciting donations.
Although our school buildings cannot reopen at this time, please know that we remain committed to developing the hearts, minds and bodies of our students for the remainder of the school year. As always, I am proud and honored to serve as your superintendent and I look forward to a time when I can again start my day visiting students and staff in our school buildings.
Please stay safe and well.
Dr. Tamu Lucero, Superintendent of Schools