Remote Learning Option Not Offered In Ellington Next School Year

ELLINGTON, CT – Following a special April 7 workshop involving the Ellington Board of Education, which included discussion with staff and parents, the board voted Wednesday to not offer remote learning as an option for the 2021-22 academic year.

Feedback from parents, teachers, administrators and staff at the workshop focused on the benefits of in-person learning for students' academic and social and emotional well-being. Although Ellington navigated the 2020-2021 school year offering a high-quality remote learning option, data within the district and nationally demonstrates that an in-person environment is best for the overwhelming majority of students.

"During COVID, the Ellington Board of Education has been making sound and measured decisions regarding the operations of our schools," board chair Jennifer Dzen said in a written statement. "The board’s decision to not offer a remote learning option for the 2021-2022 school year comes from weighing the health and safety as well as the social/emotional wellbeing of our students and staff and concerns regarding budgetary constraints. Our district workshop overwhelmingly showed us that parents, staff and administrators feel the best education for our students happens in the classroom."

Superintendent of Schools Scott Nicol said, "The hallmark of a healthy society are people regularly and peacefully congregating whether it be in a church, park, school or other setting. A school district in-person learning model—with few exceptions—is instructionally more effective then remote learning, and is paramount for the overall social and emotional health of our students and staff."

Here is the full text of the resolution passed by the school board:

WHEREAS the Ellington Public Schools recognize that the world of education has changed over the last year;
WHEREAS the advances in our organization and staff’s capacity to provide an education deeply integrated with technology, including creative virtual learning experiences, has and will continue to move forward;
WHEREAS all students—with emphasis given to those affected by quarantine and isolation due to COVID-19—will be provided learning opportunities to develop their unique talents and gifts;
WHEREAS the Ellington Public Schools recognize that a comprehensive in person learning program has the greatest potential to support all students to reach their full academic, social and emotional potential, as grounded in the Seeds of Civility;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Ellington Board of Education directs the Superintendent of Schools to implement an in-person learning program without a remote learning option for the 2021-2022 school year—unless required by the State of Connecticut or if deemed necessary by the Board—while continuing to develop creative virtual learning opportunities for all students.

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