Bunnell Moving To Distance Learning; 215 Quarantined

STRATFORD, CT — Bunnell High School will switch to fully remote learning for most of November, according to a message from the superintendent, which came on a day when more than 200 Bunnell staff members and students were in quarantine due to potential coronavirus exposure.

The Stratford school district learned Thursday that several Bunnell community members had tested positive for the virus, Superintendent Janet Robinson told parents and staff.

Due to the numerous close contacts associated with recent cases, the school encountered staffing challenges related to the requirement that contacts quarantine for two weeks, Robinson said.

Bunnell will return to its hybrid learning model Nov. 30, according to Robinson.

As of Thursday, 12 staffers and students at Bunnell had tested positive for the virus, and another 215 students and staff members were in quarantine due to close contact with a person who tested positive, according to the district's data dashboard, which reflects the most current available numbers.

Stratford High School has also pivoted to full-time distance learning until Nov. 30, a change the school announced Sunday after a community member who tested positive had been in close contact with multiple staffers.

On Thursday, Robinson notified the district community about one new coronavirus case each at Stratford High School and Nichols Elementary School.

Robinson told community members Wednesday that the district was aware of a new case at Eli Whitney School as well as at Wooster Middle School, and that there were two new cases at Stratford High School.

Additionally on Wednesday, Robinson informed parents and staff that a community member who was affiliated with Bunnell but working remotely had tested positive, and that two other Bunnell community members — one working remotely and one in school — were presumed to have the coronavirus and were awaiting test results.

District-wide as of Thursday, 27 students and 19 staff members were in isolation with the virus and 547 students and staffers were in quarantine, according to the district dashboard.