On March 12, the Board of Education (BOE) decided to close all schools until at least March 30 in order to limit the spread of COVID-19. The BOE will continue to assess the situation in order to decide whether to open school on Monday, March 30, or to remain closed, depending on how the virus spreads in the coming weeks.
According to Eyewitness News, over 140 schools in Connecticut have closed their doors, including public schools, private schools, colleges, and universities. Governor Ned Lamont is waiving the 180-day requirement for schools that add on school days past June 30. However, Superintendent Tamu Lucero announced that Stamford School District is planning to apply for a waiver from the Connecticut State Department of Education that will count missed school days as distance learning school days. Westhill has provided many students with Chromebooks to take home, and many teachers plan to utilize Google Classroom, video calls, and emailed assignments to continue instruction from home.
In addition to technological materials, Stamford Public Schools is providing anyone under the age of 18 with free meals at all public schools, the Yerwood Center, and the Chester Addison Center from 10:00 am through 12:00 pm.
With one confirmed case in Stamford and five others in Connecticut, the district will continue to reassess before making a decision regarding when students can return to school.
