Superintendent Gives Update on District COVID-19 Protocols; Teachers Permitted to Unmask while Delivering Instruction
Superintendent Thomas ScariceGood afternoon,
At the beginning of the year I informed the school community that we will revisit our Covid mitigating measures every 4-6 weeks. I could not predict the longevity of any of the mitigating measures beyond a 4-6 week timeframe. Now that we are six weeks into the year, and we are currently experiencing a continued drop in Covid positive cases, I want to update the school community on some changes to our Covid mitigation measures.
Unmasked Teachers Delivering Instruction: The CT Department of Public Health permitted school districts to afford an option for teachers to teach unmasked if they are vaccinated, provided that they are in the front of the room and the students are masked and seated. We did not implement this provision to start the year, but starting tomorrow, October 20, we will allow this option for teachers teaching students in grades 7-12 only. K-6 will be considered after November 1 when we have a better handle on ages 5-11 vaccinations. This is an option for teachers and not a requirement.
Lunch Tents: Lunch tents, particularly for the elementary level, will remain in place for the remainder of the month. We will revisit lunch practices when we better understand the K-6 vaccinations at the end of the month. The lunch supervision at the elementary levels is very challenging and we will move as quickly as we can to return to “normal” lunch provided our transmission rates continue to drop.
Visitor Vaccination Requirement: At the start of the year we instituted a requirement for visitors to show proof of vaccination. We will continue to require vaccination from visitors through at least December 31 at this point, perhaps longer. A reassessment of this requirement will take place at that point in time. Larger groups of visitors will be permitted to meet in person in our schools with building administration permission, provided there is the opportunity to distance (I.e. larger rooms), and that visitors are masked with proof of vaccination.
Elementary Parent Conferences: Elementary parent conferences will be held in person for vaccinated parents and virtual for unvaccinated parents. Virtual accommodations for any parent can be made provided. Elementary building principals will communicate additional information about parent/teacher conferences in the coming weeks.
Performances: There are a number of performances scheduled in the next couple of months. Following a meeting with the Westport/Weston Health District, we decided that we will monitor the Covid transmission rates to guide the mitigating measures we employ. For example, some of the measures we will consider include the degree to which we allow certain capacities to attend (i.e. 50%, 75%, 100%, etc.), and the type of spacing we require for seating. More information on specific performances will be forthcoming as individual events approach.
Building Rentals/Park and Rec Programs: We are open for building/space rental from community groups after hours. We will continue to recommend universal masking, however, these are outside events and we do not have the capacity to enforce our measures outside of school hours.
Field Trips: Some field trips have been approved so far this year, particularly those outside. However, we will begin to review field trip requests pending the continued low transmission rates.
I recently did a podcast with Dan Woog on the national discussions involving Critical Race Theory (CRT) and the impact on our school community. I am no expert on this topic, but I shared my thoughts on a variety of topics with Dan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DGg4CDqAKvLI
Thank you,
Thomas Scarice
Superintendent Gives Update on COVID-19, NYU Metro Center Choices, Late School Buses
Superintendent Thomas Scarice
Support During Quarantine:
We continue to revisit our mitigating practices, such as the ways we support our students who are asked to quarantine. After some feedback, we have increased the level of services provided during quarantine. Please see this document for the changes by level (i.e. K-2, 3-5, 6-8), along with a “sample Google doc” for middle school students to access providing information for all of their classes.
Students with IEPs will receive all the supports provided to general education students. In addition, in days 0-9 of a quarantine, cumulatively in the year, students with IEPs will have contact with their special education teachers and related services providers via email, phone, or Google meet at the same frequency as they would if they were in school. If students are quarantined for more than 10 days in a school year, the students' teachers and providers will collaborate with families to deliver IEP services virtually. For our most complex learners participating in our Intensive Resource classrooms, IEP services will be delivered virtually beginning on day 3 of quarantine.
Fortunately, the Covid numbers continue to drop nationally and locally. However, increasing these services is necessary at this point in time.
Transportation Contingency Plans:
Transportation has been a major challenge this year. Busing delays and late arrivals have impacted the student school day and led to confusion and anxiety among parents and students.
Across the state and nation, a crippling bus driver shortage has impacted school district transportation services leading to closures and cancellations in some towns. Our transportation provider, Dattco, had been able to staff our buses by reallocating office personnel with the appropriate licensure to serve as drivers. However, the impact of the shortage has now hit Westport. To compound the challenges, there has been a marked increase in the volume of traffic on town roads.
Due to the shortage of drivers and increased traffic, routes are being consolidated while other routing options are being explored. The primary goal is to get all students to and from school on time. While consolidating routes could lead to delays, this temporary practice is necessary at this point in time.
Our newest drivers are becoming more familiar with our routes, which will enable routes to be completed more quickly. Schools will continue to communicate with parents at first notification that buses will be impacted by consolidation or a driver shortage.
Efforts are being made by Dattco to secure more drivers with incentives such as signing bonuses and expedited training for licensure.
Historically, all buses were expected to clear the school yard within 30 minutes of dismissal. Some schools were much quicker than this, and others took the full 30 or so minutes to clear. That standard, applied to our current start times, would estimate that our elementary schools should clear their buses for dismissal by 4:15pm (Saugatuck 3:45). The district is working to ensure that fully staffed buses depart by 4:15pm.
Combined runs could likely depart later than 4:15pm. When that is the case, principals will work with our transportation coordinator to provide as much advance notice as possible, with a specific time of departure from the school so parents can plan accordingly.
This resolution will be temporary until additional drivers can be secured.
Given this critical driver shortage, please have a morning and afternoon contingency plan, as you would with an inclement weather delayed opening/early closure, in the event of a significant delay due to the lack of a driver or the consolidation of a route. Building principals will communicate this information to you as soon as they are made aware.
This is not a permanent solution to this problem, but rather a way to provide transportation in a crisis. We will continue to work with Dattco to develop strategies to secure more drivers.
Equity Study Update
Last week I was asked to respond to a posting on the “06880” blog related to concerns about “critical race theory” and the priorities of our school district. I would like to share that statement with our parent community here.
Over the past few weeks there have been questions raised about the equity study the district began last year, the timeline of how the study will unfold, whether a public report will be shared, how this works fits into the overall district strategic plan, and the selection of NYU Metropolitan Center for Research on Equity and the Transformation of Schools.
In fairness, the district takes pride in high quality communication, yet the communication on this work could have been better and I am ultimately responsible for that.
In addition to the comments I shared last week in the link above, I’d like to address these questions with some further context.
Background
The district’s commitment to a culturally responsive education, with a focus on equity, inclusion and diversity, began a number of years ago and was captured in a statement in the 2017 district strategic plan.
Statewide, it’s important to note that on February 3, 2021, the CT State Department of Education formally adopted a position statement on culturally responsive education, followed by a joint statement this summer in collaboration with the CT Association of Boards of Education (CABE), CT Association of Public School Superintendents (CAPSS), CT Association of Schools (CAS), CT Educator Association (CEA), and American Federation of Teachers (AFT).
Given the district and town’s commitment over the years, and the fact that this focus is currently a part of the educational landscape across the state and nation as illustrated above, the question is how to pursue this work.
In Westport, the initiation of an equity study last year began with a focus on ensuring equitable access to all programs and services for all students, establishing a strong sense of belonging in our schools for all students, and delivering a curriculum and instructional program that prepares all students for thoughtful citizenship and a very diverse global economy.
The district is still in the study phase as no new curriculum units or Board of Education (BOE) policies have been adopted as a result of the equity study.
Local district data has been reviewed as a part of the study. It is common for organizations to analyze their data for discrepancies and disproportionality. For example, local police departments analyze their traffic stop data for disproportionality. For schools, academic and behavioral data can be used for analytical purposes.
In our equity study, local academic and behavioral data has been reviewed, focus groups have been held with students and parents, and this information has been interpreted by a committee of educators and community members with an interest in the topics of diversity, equity and inclusion. The district established a tab on our website last year with information for the community and it will be updated to include access to the data reviewed. Following that data and information informed subsequent steps in the process.
Upcoming Timeline:
At this point in the process, the formal committee meetings have concluded and three areas of focus for action planning have been identified: teaching/learning, professional development, and data systems. Further work in the equity study action plans will continue, but ultimately this work must fold into the overall district strategic plan, which will be available for public review and formally presented to the BOE for a vote. It is anticipated that the initial goals and objectives of the district strategic plan will be presented in December.
Equity Study Report:
Prior to the BOE adoption of a strategic plan in December a final report of the equity study will be presented publicly to the BOE as an information item for public discussion. It is expected that this will occur in November.
Selection of NYU Metro Center:
Last December, a formal Request for Qualifications was issued for the purposes of consultation on conducting an equity study. A number of applicants were reviewed by a committee of local educators. The deciding factors in selecting NYU Metropolitan Center by the committee were experience in consulting and research, the focus on a collaborative approach in co-creating action plans, the capacity to customize the study for our district, and the committee approach that precluded imposition by an outside group. The final action plans will be the work of WPS educators and community members, not handed to the district by an outside agency. Finally, the checks and balances of public education ensure that any formal action plans that will be folded in the district strategic plan will be voted on by the BOE in public session.
Closing
There is a great deal of information to review in this message. Full transparency and open communication is a priority for the district. Ordinarily, new information begets more questions. We will continue to share information on the work of our district moving forward.
Podcast
I am very pleased to announce that I will be interviewed on this topic next week by Dan Woog on his show, “06880: The Podcast”. I will be sure to send out the podcast link to our school community when completed.
I hope that you and your families enjoy this beautiful weather and have a wonderful weekend.
Sincerely,
Thomas Scarice
Superintendent of Schools
Superintendent Updates Community on Football Game Allegations
Superintendent Thomas ScariceI would like to provide the community with an update related to the allegations of antisemitism and racism Friday evening at the high school football game between Cheshire High School and Staples High School.
As the community is aware, there were allegations made on social media Friday evening including: antisemitic and racist comments made in the stands, the presence of a Confederate flag, and the waving of an Israeli flag. Since that time, it has been the voices of individual students throughout this investigation that have given us a clearer picture of events and a constructive plan to move forward.
Process to Determine Findings
School administrators and law enforcement from both Cheshire and Westport immediately commenced investigations. From the outset, the Anti-Defamation League, through Connecticut Regional Director Steve Ginsburg, instantly offered and provided their support to both communities.
Over the past five days, the town’s respective athletic directors, high school principals, First Selectmen, and police chiefs communicated directly with each other. I have spoken to the Cheshire Superintendent nearly every day since last Friday.
The Cheshire Public Schools administration and police departments have shared their findings with our administration as a result of their interviews with eyewitnesses, including the two students who brought the Israeli flag to the game. Seven Staples Cheer Team students were interviewed by Staples Principal Stafford Thomas, as well as a student of color who was the recipient of disgusting racial slurs via social media.
Along with Chief Koskinas, First Selectman Jim Marpe, and Steve Ginsburg, I had the opportunity to meet with Westport area Rabbis and Jewish communal leaders on Monday, as well as a group of Westport community Black leaders yesterday. This proved to be critically important as Rabbi Jeremy Wiederhorn of The Conservative Synagogue followed up by speaking directly to Rabbi Dr. Benjamin Scolnic of Temple Beth Shalom in Hamden who knows the students who brought and waved the Israeli flag.
Finally, the time between last Friday night and today provided Westport community members the opportunity to share any eyewitness accounts, as well as their thoughts and concerns.
From the beginning, the Westport Public Schools was fully committed to finishing our investigation by speaking with every student or community member personally impacted by these events. The process was thorough and comprehensive and I am confident that we have clarity on what happened Friday night, as well as a constructive plan to move forward.
Findings
An Israeli flag was waved throughout much of the game Friday night by two Cheshire students, particularly when Cheshire scored or Staples committed a penalty. After halftime, members of our Cheer team approached the Cheshire Police to ask that the Israeli flag be taken down. Although the Cheshire Police and administration confirm they directed the students to take the flag down, there are Staples student reports of the flag waving later in the game.
After the game, the social media account, “Wreckers SuperFans”, and the Staples Cheer team, posted an image on Instagram of the Israeli flag waving in the Cheshire student section with a message about anti-Semitic and racist remarks and insulting chants throughout the game, as well as the waving of the Confederate flag.
Both school administrations confirmed that chants of “Daddy’s money” were directed at Staples students and players. This was not done in unison with the waving of the Israeli flag. Racist or anti-Semitic chants, were not corroborated. There is no corroboration of the presence or sighting of a Confederate flag.
The Staples and Cheshire “SuperFans” respectfully communicated late Friday evening through social media and the “Wreckers SuperFans” took down the post following that discussion. The Cheer team post was taken down following a communication with the Staples Cheer coach.
Saturday morning, a Staples student of color, who was not at the game, posted a comment on a friend’s Instagram responding to the earlier post about the game. He posted, “The audacity”. What transpired in response was a series of horrific and unspeakable racial slurs directed towards this Staples student. The source of the slurs was an untraceable “burner” account, which is a social media account used to post anonymously to avoid having posts traced. This is most disturbing and we offered to provide support for this student.
In the investigation, the Cheshire administration shared that the two students who waved the Israeli flag are Jewish and that they brought the flag to the game because it was a school spirit “Red, White & Blue Nite” in the student section. In response to doubts about this claim, in my meeting with the Westport area rabbis and Jewish communal leaders on Monday, Rabbi Jeremy Wiederhorn of The Conservative Synagogue offered to speak directly to the Rabbi of Temple Beth David in Cheshire to offer his services in resolving this matter.
Rabbi Wiederhorn was referred to Temple Beth Shalom in Hamden, where the two boys worship, and spoke directly to Rabbi Dr. Benjamin Scolnic. Rabbi Scolnic shared that he has known the boys their entire lives, that he knows them very well, that they are not mean-spirited, and that they are very proud Jews. Rabbi Scolnic is completely confident that there was no malice or anti-Semitism intended and that unfortunately these accusations have mischaracterized the two boys.
Based on feedback from the Cheshire administration, the Cheshire police department, the Westport area Rabbis and Jewish communal leaders, Rabbi Scolnic, and our partners with the ADL, I have no reason to question these conclusions.
Further Context
High school sporting events can be raucous and intense. The school spirit from these events can be palpable. However, for visiting teams, these types of events can be intimidating. Traditionally, in high school sports, the goal of the fan section is to vigorously cheer for the home team while, at times, taunting and making the visiting team uncomfortable.
Some members of our community have questioned the intent of the waving of the Israeli flag. In fairness, our Staples athletes and fans have experienced anti-Semitism at athletic events in the past. Westport has a considerable Jewish community, and approximately one-third of the Cheer team is Jewish.
The waving of the Israeli flag at a high school sporting event played against a town with a considerable Jewish population is peculiar. It is not necessarily right or wrong, but in my 25+ years in education, I have never witnessed the Israeli flag, or any other national flag except the U.S. flag, waved at a high school sports event.
The series of events, the history of anti-Semitism directed towards our students, the peculiarity of the waving of the Israeli flag at a football game, along with the intensity of the night, contributed to a considerable sense of threat on the part of Staples students. It is critically important to affirm the impact of the night on our students and to support them as we constructively move forward, and to meaningfully learn from these events.
Again, I have no reason to question the conclusions of the Cheshire administration, the Cheshire police department, the Westport area Rabbis and Jewish communal leaders, Rabbi Scolnic of Temple Beth Shalom, and our partners with the ADL.
However, it is important to note again that heinous, racist, untraceable messages were indeed sent through social media to a Staples student of color in the aftermath of this game. These messages have been turned over to the police and we will continue to offer support to this student.
Constructively Moving Forward
In discussions with Cheshire Superintendent, Dr. Jeff Solan, and with valuable feedback from the Staples Cheer team parents and Connecticut Regional Director of the ADL, Steve Ginsburg, Dr. Solan and I will offer an invitation to the Cheshire and Staples students involved to convene, facilitated by the ADL, so that amends can be made and appropriate closure can be provided to both groups of students. In dealing with young adults, there are opportunities for learning experiences in events such as these.
Finally, we invite all of the students involved to participate together in the "Walk Against Hate" on October 10th in Hartford.
The administration is committed to encouraging and supporting students who come forward with concerns about how they, or others, are treated. Going forward, the district will clarify the reporting process for students with concerns at athletic events and extracurricular activities.
Again, it is critical that the community understands the level of transparency and thoroughness that we have taken to address this matter. We remain committed to fighting antisemitism and racism in any form.
Respectfully,
Thomas Scarice, Westport Public Schools
Superintendent: Saugatuck Elementary COVID Cases on the Rise; Full School Testing Friday for All Consenting Families
Superintendent Thomas Scarice Dear Saugatuck Families,
As we have been reporting there has been an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases at SES. As of today, 15 total cases have been identified over the past week. Although there appears to be very limited transmission within the school as new cases span multiple grades and classrooms, by definition, a sudden rise in the number of cases at this rate would constitute an outbreak.
As a proactive measure we have reached out to the Connecticut Department of Public Health (CT DPH), including the state epidemiologist, to review the cases and our current mitigating measures. This discussion affirmed that community transmission (i.e. after school activities, large community social events, etc.) has likely contributed to the recent rise in cases at SES. As a result, it appears that in-school mitigating measures have been effective. DPH only recommends school closures if there is an inability to staff the school. This is not an issue at this point in time.
As an additional control measure for early detection, and to blunt any additional spread, it was recommended by CT DPH to offer a round of surveillance testing for all students and staff at SES. Testing will be held Friday October 1 and administered by our testing partner, Progressive Diagnostics.
For parents who have already consented to the voluntary testing program, your child will be included in the testing this Friday. If you have not yet consented to the district voluntary testing program, you are strongly encouraged to complete the “school testing student consent form” on the hyperlink below by the end of the day tomorrow. Additionally, the “school testing” link below will provide information about the district voluntary testing program.
If you would ONLY like to take part in the testing offered this Friday and NOT the weekly screening, please email the health office staff so that your name can be removed after the Friday testing.
School Testing Student Consent Form
I would like to thank you for your support as we work together to keep our children and community safe.
Sincerely,
Thomas Scarice
Superintendent of Schools