Newtown Schools Challenged By Coronavirus Quarantines

NEWTOWN, CT — Additional coronavirus cases at Newtown Middle School and Middle Gate Elementary School are straining staffing resources due to quarantines.

"We have coverage at the moment, but we will be assessing the status of all of our buildings in the next 24 hours," Superintendent Lorrie Rodrigue said in a letter to school communities Tuesday.

School officials were notified about a coronavirus case at Reed Intermediate School over the weekend. Principal Matt Correia quarantined out of an abundance of caution and is working remotely.
Kindergarten through sixth grade schools are scheduled to go to hybrid learning effective Nov. 23. Middle and high schools will remain on hybrid until further notice.

School districts across the state are being seriously challenged as infection rates continue to rise. Infections that occur at school are rare and are more common outside the school building, Gov. Ned Lamont said.

Staff members have to quarantine if they come into close contact with someone who tested positive for the virus. There is also a statewide shortage of substitute teachers. Shelton, Ansonia and Trumbull public schools announced plans for a period of remote learning