Some Stratford Schools May Fully Reopen 4 Days Per Week

STRATFORD, CT — Plans are underway to double the amount of time Stratford elementary students spend in the classroom by the end of next month.

The Board of Education discussed Monday a proposal to move Stratford’s youngest students to in-person learning four days a week, after the school district began the academic year using a hybrid model, with students in the classroom two days per week due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“It’s time for us to begin looking at, 'what is our next step, what is our transition?'” Superintendent Janet Robinson said at the board meeting, streamed live via YouTube.

The plan would see kindergarteners, first-graders and English learners make the switch Nov. 16, with all elementary students in the classroom four days a week by the end of November. Wednesdays would still be reserved for remote learning.

The district is not yet considering such a move for secondary students.

“We do not believe we’re prepared at this point to be able to bring secondary back right now,” said Harold Greist, STEM coordinator for grades seven through 12.

Greist added that it would be difficult to restrict the space between desks to the desired minimum of 3 feet at the secondary level.

In a survey of nearly 2,000 district families, just over 70 percent said they would send their child to school if it were held in-person and full-time, according to Robinson.

Under the new model, buses will be fuller, and parents will be encouraged to drive their children to school or have them walk, Greist said. Lunch may be served on a rotating basis and children may eat in classrooms. Students will remain in cohorts. In instances of classroom overflow, students may be placed in supplementary learning areas in the library or cafeteria, under the supervision of a tutor or other staff member.

Greist acknowledged the irony of presenting the transition plan the same day parents and staff were notified of coronavirus cases at four separate schools. Board member Karen Rodia said she opposed removing the current hybrid option.

“I’ve heard from several staff members that are very concerned,” she said, adding the news of the recent cases, “lends credence to their concerns.”

Of the roughly 1,000 school district staffers, eight have tested positive for the virus, while four of the district’s 7,000 students have tested positive, according to Robinson and board Vice Chair Amy Wiltsie. The full-time, in-person plan relies on case counts remaining low in Stratford.

“The schools have not been a spreader here,” Robinson said.

Chair Allison DelBene asked if it would be possible to start the transition to the four-day schedule a week earlier than planned, but district officials said the schools need the coming weeks to prepare for the change.

The board intends to vote on the proposal at its next meeting, which will be held 7:15 p.m. Monday.