800 Quarantine In Stratford Schools; 4 Elementary Buildings Close

STRATFORD, CT — The number students and staff in quarantine had topped 800 in Stratford schools early Friday, as the district’s first week transitioning elementary students to full-time, in-person learning drew to a close.

While the past week was intended to bring some of Stratford’s youngest learners into school buildings four days per week, in some cases elementary schools are instead going completely remote due to complications of the coronavirus.

As of Thursday, Chapel, Nichols, Eli Whitney and Johnson House elementary schools had pivoted to online-only learning until Nov. 30, according to a message to parents and staff from district officials. That means nearly half of Stratford's elementary schools will not transition to a full-time classroom learning model in alignment with the district's planned timeline.

Also practicing distance learning until Nov. 30 are a kindergarten class at Wilcoxson Elementary School, a sixth-grade class at Franklin Elementary School and all fifth-grade classes at Second Hill Lane Elementary School, the message said.

Additionally, Bunnell and Stratford high schools and the district’s ALPHA Program are online-only up to Nov. 30.

Wilcoxson reported one positive and two presumptive virus cases Thursday; Chapel Elementary School recorded two; while Franklin, Second Hill Lane and Wooster Middle School each saw one case, according to the message.

District-wide as of early Friday, 52 students and 10 staff members were in isolation with the virus, and 828 students and staffers were quarantined, according to the district dashboard, which reflects the most current available numbers.