Schools Update On Teacher Vaccines, Parent DHHS In-Person Survey

MADISON, CT — In his weekly message to families, Madison schools Superintendent Dr. Craig Cooke said almost half of the eligible staff in the district were vaccinated since Monday.

As Patch reported earlier this week, nearly a quarter of the eligible educators and school staff from five towns including Madison, have been vaccinated against COVID-19 —or will by the end of Saturday's clinic — East Shore District Health director Michael Pascucilla said. The health district has been coordinating vaccinations with Madison, Branford, North Branford, East Haven, and Guilford. The goal he said is to get teachers, paraprofessionals, school aides, staff including administrators and custodians, cafeteria workers and other staff vaccinated as soon as possible.

Monday, 200 school staff were vaccinated in Madison and Guilford, Pascucilla said. Thursday, 100 more from Madison, he said and Saturday another 50 Madison schools staff are slated to be vaccinated.

"We are thrilled and excited to have taken a significant step towards vaccinating our community in such a short window of time," Cooke said. "We are on track to offer first shots to all eligible staff before the end of March. Thank you everyone for your patience as we cycle eligible employees through their vaccinations."

Daniel Hand High School in-person learning survey

Cooke said Hand families were sent a brief survey about the potential for more in-person learning at Daniel Hand High School. The survey closes March 11, he said, with the results made public.

"The survey results will help guide our decisions as we move towards reopening fully.," Cooke said.