Stratford Schools To Operate Remotely After Spring Break

STRATFORD, CT — The Stratford Public School District will operate remotely for the week after the upcoming Spring Recess Break, officials announced Tuesday.

Students returned to full in-person learning, without a hybrid model, on Monday. The spring break is set for April 12 through April 16.

“I know that a good many staff members and families have made their plans or are still in the planning stages for travel during this time,” Superintendent Janet Robinson wrote in a message to the school community. “With an abundance of caution, the week following the break, the District will be on Remote Learning, (Week of April 19th). This is a decision made in partnership with our Town of Stratford Public Health Department and Stratford Public Schools Head Nurse, Kim Velazquez.”

Robinson said it is “extremely concerning” with the new variants of the coronavirus “popping up.”

“What we do know, is transmissions are not happening in the schools where students are involved in ‘in person’ learning,” Robinson wrote. “The transmissions continue to happen due to the clusters or small gatherings that are taking place amongst families and friends. As our Head Nurse, Kim Velazquez, pointed out in an earlier communication, many of these cases are from exposures at sleep overs, birthday parties, large groups of children playing, hanging out at the park with friends, large adult/social gatherings, club sporting events (i.e. hockey, etc.) and travel. In addition, in many of these incidents, no masks are being worn, no social distance and no hand washing. Adults and children are still becoming sick and many suffer life altering complications following COVID.

“Each of us are still going through our own personal issues, dealing with our challenges and fears, and we’re excited about the vaccine and what it can mean for the future. A large number of our community members and staff have received the vaccine at this point in time, so we are making progress. But at the same time, we have to remain vigil in our efforts to keep ourselves and our fellow community members safe in the best way we possibly can.”

Robinson also shared the following “simple behaviors [that] still work to help keep friends, family and colleagues safe in and outside of the classroom and reduce the probability of being asked to quarantine”:

• Stay home if you are not feeling well. This is the most important thing that you can do. Covid-19 can present with mild symptoms. Refrain from going outside of the home even if you are feeling only mildly ill.
• Stay outdoors as much as possible. If you or your child are getting together with a small group of friends or family make it an outside event.
• Wear a face covering. Remember you wear a mask to help protect others, and they should be wearing one for your protection.
• Maintain a safe distance.
• Wash your hands. Especially after touching shared objects and surfaces.
• Set limitations. Be upfront with your children and friends about expectations. Limit the number of people at gatherings and review the prevention “rules” of your household prior to any event.

“I thank you for your support and efforts in keeping our public school community healthy, safe and learning,” Robinson wrote. “Remember, we are in this together and it takes the efforts of everyone to win this battle!

“We look forward to seeing even more families back to ‘in person’ learning on April 26th when we return after the Spring Recess Break and our week of Remote Learning.”