Fairfield Schools Reopening Decision Hinges On Social Distancing

FAIRFIELD, CT — How distant is socially distant enough? That’s one of the main questions school officials in Fairfield are asking as they consider whether to bring students back to the classroom full time.

The school district intends to announce Sept. 25 whether it will make a switch from the current hybrid model, which was introduced as one of many safety measures the district is taking amid the coronavirus pandemic.

“We’re really looking at, is it realistic to think that you can bring kids back at full capacity and not create a situation where you’re just asking for trouble?” Director of Communications Andrea Clark said.

Fairfield schools have not seen a coronavirus case among staff or students since the academic year started, according to Clark. As of last week, 12 students and one district employee were in quarantine.

State guidelines require schools to allow 3 to 6 feet for social distancing where feasible, a policy that has been followed in Fairfield classrooms, Clark said.

However, it will be impossible for district schools to consistently comply with state distance guidelines if students return to school buildings full time, according to Clark.

“It’s not just a matter of how far apart desks are in a classroom,” she said

The district must also consider distancing on the bus, in cafeterias and hallways, and during arrival, dismissal and recess.

“There are all kinds of precautions around music classes and what those look like, similarly with physical education classes,” Clark said. “… We’re able to manage those in the hybrid setting with the number of kids that we have in buildings right now.”

Despite the social distancing challenges, Fairfield schools could still potentially go back to full-time classroom learning, according to Clark, due to the caveat that state distancing parameters apply “where feasible.”

“They’ve left this enormous loophole that one could walk through,” she said. “… We don’t think that that’s a responsible decision to take.”

The Board of Education is set to tour several schools Friday and is expected to discuss the potential switch to full-time, in-person learning at its meeting Tuesday. Regardless of whether Fairfield schools return to full in-class learning, or continue to use the hybrid model, the district’s full-time remote academy program will continue.