Ellington School Board Adopts Hybrid Reopening Model

ELLINGTON, CT — Ellington Public Schools will reopen next month under a hybrid plan unanimously endorsed by the Board of Education at a special virtual meeting Thursday.

Implementation of the plan, which has schools opening on Sept. 8, has students divided into three groups. One will attend classes in person on Tuesday and Wednesday of opening week, followed by distance learning Thursday and Friday. A second group will have distance learning the first two days and in-person classes the second two. The third group has opted for distance learning only.

In weeks 2 through 4, one group will attend classes Mondays and Tuesdays while the other has distance learning, with the groups switching on Thursday and Fridays. Wednesdays will be reserved for all distance learning.

Reevaluation of the plan is slated for the week of Sept. 28, with the possibility - assuming favorable health data and other conditions - to move to a full five day in-person model with a distance learning option starting Oct. 5, or another date to be determined as recommended by Superintendent of Schools Scott Nicol.

In a letter to families sent Friday afternoon, Nicol wrote, "The Board's endorsement was preceded by countless hours of discussion in a variety of forums - including the EPS' Reopening Advisory Committee - between Board members, teachers, staff, parents, students and administration. This was a difficult decision for all involved due to the needs and perspectives of the entire Ellington Family that needed to be taken into consideration."

The full board presentation on the hybrid model is available here.

To register for free Ellington and Somers news alerts and more, click here.