Norwalk Public Schools Preps For More Students In Classrooms

NORWALK, CT — Norwalk Public Schools officials said the district will begin bringing more students back into classrooms starting next week, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention relaxes some coronavirus protocols.

Namely, the CDC said classroom setups can allow for 3 feet of distance between students, instead of 6 feet, which will allow schools to increase the number of students in classrooms.

"Masks will still be required for all students and staff, and all hand washing, cleaning and other health protocols will also remain in place," Norwalk officials said in a statement. "Six feet of distancing will still be required in common areas and when masks are off."

The CDC announced the new guidelines on Friday, and Norwalk officials said that as a result, the district will phase-in the return of more students.

"With this change, our district will be able to make more room available in classrooms for students," Norwalk officials said, adding that the current hybrid option at the middle and high school levels will be discontinued over the next several weeks.

The elementary schools will begin to add more students in classrooms on Monday; the middle schools on April 5; and the high schools on April 19. Click here to view the schedule.

"Throughout these new changes, the health and safety of our students and staff continues to be our number one priority," officials said. "We are very excited to welcome more NPS students back into their buildings."