Lamont On Schools Reopening: 'Let's Walk Before We Run'

VERNON, CT — Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont Tuesday led a contingent of state and local officials to a Vernon school to welcome back students and teachers and to witness first-hand how the hybrid reopening plan is working. Vernon opened its schools for the 2020-21 academic year Monday and the town's education system is one of the first to open since the coronavirus pandemic broke out last March.

"It's good to be in Vernon to see how a community can reopen its schools in a thoughtful way," Lamont said after a tour of Skinner Road School. "The students and teachers seemed excited to be back, and we're doing it carefully here."

Lamont and Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz were marveling at how receptive the Pre-K through 5th-grade students were to mask wearing.

"I was very impressed with the students wearing masks and being socially distant Bysiewicz said. "A lot of care went into making sure the school was clean. The whole idea has been to make parents comfortable with bringing the kids back to school."

Lamont was gushing about one classroom in particular.

"There was a hearing impaired student in one class," he said. "The teacher had on a mask that featured a transparency so the student could read lips. That was great to see."

Vernon Superintendent of Schools Joseph Macary has been quite clear on the local mask policy — those inside buildings are wearing them, period. It's part of the safety measures that include social distancing and keeping students together in groups called "cohorts," divided by grades and class rooms.

Vernon has adopted a hybrid plan. Students who have opted to attend school will go two days per week. Those whose last names begin with A through L will be in the buildings Mondays and Tuesdays, while the rest of the alphabet will be in classrooms Thursdays and Fridays.

The at-home days include quick check-ins and take-home assignments.

School buildings will be closed for cleaning Wednesdays and will include abbreviated virtual learning days.

Some special needs classes will be taking place four days a week inside the buildings.

Vernon students who have opted for virtual learning will have their own teachers and classes.

As of Aug. 26, 676 students — or 22.1 percent of Vernon's student population — had opted for virtual learning. At Rockville High School, it's 14.6 percent. At Vernon Center Middle School, it's 21.1 percent. At the five elementary schools it's 27.3 percent.

Lunches are available at each school for pickup for virtual students on meal plans."

Macary said, so far, "it's been a good two days" and added the system will be reviewed every two weeks.

Vernon Mayor Daniel Champagne said school officials have "done a good job" locally and was equally impressed with the atmosphere after the tour.

"Things look good right now," he said. "We were worried about the youngsters, especially wearing masks, but they have come along well."

Tuesday's state tour of Skinner Road School in Vernon. (Chris Dehnel/Patch)

Connecticut Education Commissioner Miguel Cardona said it was good to experience reopening in action.

"We have been planning for months and it was good to be able to see students and teachers with smiles on their faces," he said. "Vernon has been realistic. It's been a good community effort."

Lamont said the plan is to get all the state's students to confidently go back to school. He may have summed up the reopening plan best with a remark delivered right before leaving the Skinner Road School Campus.

"Let's walk before we run," he said.

Vernon officials acknowledged it was only two days, but so far, they said, that walk has been a pleasant stroll.