Clinton Schools To Close Due To Coronavirus Concerns

CLINTON, CT — Clinton public schools will be closed for at least two weeks due to concerns about the spread of coronavirus.

The district released the following statement:

Dear Parents/Guardians,

I am writing to inform you that the Clinton Public Schools will be closed indefinitely, but for at least two weeks, beginning Monday, March 16, 2020. On the advice of our local health departments, the school superintendents in southeastern Connecticut have come together to make a decision to put the health of our community (both our school community and the community at large) at the center of our decision to close schools. We have been advised that the implementation of social distancing measures is a proven science-based intervention that has been shown to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with communicable disease outbreaks. In the past, communities in which schools closed were able to positively impact and reduce the spread of disease. We felt compelled to make this decision to prevent the spread of illness among our students, staff, and our communities.

We also clearly heard from local and state health officials that we cannot confirm that this illness will run its course in two weeks, in fact, it is not likely that it will. We made the determination to make this closure “indefinite” based on that information. This decision was made in consultation with and with the support of the health departments, elected officials, and emergency management professionals.

There has been much discussion about the concept of distance learning during prolonged absences. At this time the Connecticut State Department of Education has discouraged districts from utilizing this approach due to concerns over instructional consistency (especially in the early grades), equity of access both intra-district and inter-district, disruption of special education services, and multiple employee contractual issues. However, we will provide information and activities posted on our district website that parents and students can utilize for supplemental education while we are out of school.

We will continue to communicate with you in a timely manner and on a regular basis as we receive
updated guidance from our public health officials, the CDC, and state officials. Please continue to
monitor your email to ensure receipt of the most current information which will be shared via
SchoolMessenger. In addition, all information and correspondence as well as helpful links will be
posted on the Clinton Public School’s homepage.

Sincerely,

Maryann O’Donnell
Superintendent