School Re-Opening Plan for the Fall

June 26, 2020

Governor Ned Lamont and Education Commissioner Miguel Cardona have developed a plan that will allow schools to safely re-open this fall.

One of my top priorities is to ensure that all of our students are kept safe while maintaining a high-quality educational experience.

I want to take this time to give a shout out to the Danbury Board of Education and Superintendent Sal Pascarella for the outstanding efforts they've made during the pandemic, and in anticipation of the new school year. Nice job!

The following guidelines will help protect the health of our students, teachers, and other school employees.

https://mcusercontent.com/d5ebe2531c17a98b4479a09e7/images/3254fe3e-991b-423e-a2cc-8d1d5810ed48.jpg

Cohorting

School districts should emphasize grouping a teacher with the same class or group of students into a cohort that functions independently as much as possible.

Placing students in cohorts is strongly encouraged for grades K-8, and encouraged where possible for grades 9-12.

Social Distancing and Facilities

Classrooms, auditoriums, and other rooms on campus should be reconfigured to maximize social distancing.

Transportation

Districts should plan for buses to run close to capacity with heightened health and safety protocols, including requiring all students and operators to wear face coverings. Districts must also develop a plan to increase social distancing measures in case of an emergency.

Face Coverings

All staff and students will be expected to wear protective face coverings or face masks that completely cover the nose and mouth when inside the school building. However, there are exceptions, such as when teachers provide instruction.

Click here to learn more.

What do you think of these guidelines? Is this the right balance? Please reach out to my office with any questions, comments, and concerns.