Patch Readers Sound Off On CT Back-To-School Plan

CONNECTICUT — Connecticut is planning on a full five-day school week in the fall, however, the plan has caused some division in Connecticut. There is an effort to get kids back to as normal of a school year as possible, but not everyone thinks that is feasible given the coronavirus pandemic.

Patch informally surveyed readers about their thoughts regarding schools reopening. The survey got more than 2,200 responses. Below are the results:

Readers were split on how the school year should start come August/September. There was almost an even split between readers who wanted to see a full five-day week vs. those who want a hybrid in-person/distance learning model from the start. Around 21 percent of readers felt that school should remain full distancing learning.

Most people who took the survey said they wouldn't feel comfortable sending their children back to school in the fall. More than 60 percent said they strongly disagreed or disagreed that they would be comfortable sending their children back.

Again, a nearly even split on a question. Readers are conflicted about whether students should be required wear masks for the full school day.

There is another split about whether a second wave of the coronavirus can be avoided in the fall and winter in Connecticut. Around 39 percent of those surveyed said a second wave couldn't be avoided, around 30 percent said it could be avoided and around 32 percent said they weren't sure.

There is another key question that needs to be answered about the return to school and that is how to best get children to school in the first place. The state's plan calls for possibly adding more bus monitors to make sure students adhere to social distancing on buses and somehow reducing capacity to give more space between students; both of those are large logistical challenges as they would require increased transportation costs amid budget crunches.

More than 60 percent of readers surveyed said they would feel very uncomfortable or somewhat uncomfortable sending their children to school on a bus.

If Gov. Ned Lamont were a student most Patch readers surveyed would likely give him a "needs improvement" on his back-to-school plan. More than 67 percent of people said they were very unsatisfied or somewhat unsatisfied with his return plan.

The plan has also drawn sharp criticism from the state's largest teacher unions. They are calling for smaller class sizes and other protections.

The coronavirus pandemic's effects are wide-reaching, and they may include the end of snow days as we know it. More than 56 percent of those surveyed said future snow days should instead be distance learning days.