Snow Days Are Distance Learning Days For Wallingford Schools

WALLINGFORD, CT — All Wallingford Public Schools will be operating remotely on Thursday, Dec. 17 due to the snowstorm. It will be a snow day with distance learning provided for all students, according to Superintendent of Schools Salvatore Menzo.

The Board of Education held a special meeting Wednesday and approved several items, including having snow days be distance learning days for students.

Menzo said the board will receive a student and staff attendance update at Monday’s Board of Education meeting based on the first snow day of virtual learning. The board will review their decision based on that information, according to Menzo.

Menzo said he has received several emails from parents “upset with the fact that snow days would be virtual learning days this year.”

“I understand the concerns and did share those with the Board of Education,” Menzo said an email to parents. “This decision, as I have shared, is not an easy one. We have to consider many factors in doing what is best for students now and in the future. The Board of Education is committed to reviewing this decision based on attendance data from tomorrow. That will be reviewed at the meeting Monday night.

“Again, it is not my intent to upset students and families with the decisions that need to be made; however, I know that sometimes will occur. I am also hopeful that the number of snow days is insignificant. I am confident that we will persevere through this challenge successfully together as we have in the past.”

The board also approved keeping the district’s elementary schools open for full in-person learning through Dec. 23.

The board voted last month to close the town's high schools and middle schools for full distance learning until Jan. 19. Menzo said at the time the plan was to keep elementary schools open until at least Dec. 18 and make a decision based on ongoing reviews of data.

After the winter break, elementary students will return to school full-time for in-person learning on Jan. 4.

Middle and high school students will remain on distance learning until Jan. 19.