No New COVID-19 Cases, No Deaths in Westport; State Positivity Rate Remains <1%
The Westport-Weston Health District reports that Westport has no new positive or probable COVID-19 cases, and has added no deaths.
Westport total positive or probable cases: 1,794 cases.
Westport total COVID-19 Deaths: 31 deaths.
State Daily Test Positivity: 0.93%
Superintendent’s Update: No Masks for Recess, PE; No Distance Learning for Next Year
Press Release, Superintendent Thomas ScariceGood Afternoon,
It is hard to believe that the school year is coming to a close. As the pandemic continues to retreat, providing small reminders locally, and a reality check globally, we confidently move forward supporting our students and faculty to finish this marathon year in the most positive manner possible. Will students be able to play at recess without masks the rest of this year?(Yes) Will we continue remote learning next year?(No) Will masks be mandated by the Department of Public Health next year for unvaccinated students?(Yet to be determined)
As our transmission rates recede to levels not seen since last September, and our vaccination rates continue to climb, I have great confidence that we will safely end this year with a strong sense of normalcy. As I've mentioned, this positive ending will position our faculty and students for a very successful start to the 2021-2022 school year.
Here are some updates for the school community:
Face Coverings
On May 13th, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) made significant changes to their guidance for mask-wearing for vaccinated persons. In addition, on May 19th, mask wearing rules were relaxed for fully vaccinated persons in the State of Connecticut allowing no mask wearing or social distancing both indoors and outdoors for those who are 14 days past their final dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. These individuals also do not need to quarantine or get tested if they have had an exposure to COVID-19. Nonetheless, the CDC confirmed shortly thereafter that it recommends schools continue to use the current COVID-19 prevention strategies for the remainder of the school year, including face coverings.
Both the CDC and the Department of Public Health have maintained their recommendation for masks inside the school building for both vaccinated and unvaccinated students and staff for the remainder of the current school year. However, with our low community transmission rates in both the town and our schools, as well as an increasing number of vaccinated staff and students, masks will no longer be required for students when outdoors for both recess and PE. We will continue to move towards a return to complete normalcy as quickly as possible, while keeping appropriate measures in place to ensure the safety of our students and staff.
Remote Learning 2021-2022
The State of CT Department of Education (CSDE) announced that at this time there will be no remote learning requirement for the upcoming school year, 2021-2022. The Westport Public Schools will not be offering remote learning as a permanent instructional option for next school year unless otherwise mandated by the CSDE. The remote learning option, like a number of other approaches and investments, has been critical to our remarkable success this year. Although students have experienced success in this pandemic year, if anything else, this year clearly proved that there is no replacement for in-person learning. We look forward to welcoming all students in-person for the start of the 2021-2022 school year.
As the end of year events begin to pick up, I ask that we all do our part to continue to thank our faculty, and all of our support staff across the system, for their extraordinary work this year. There was no playbook. We approached the year in 4-6 week increments. Yet, as we look back, we carefully navigated a generational pandemic to serve our students and while earnestly attending to their social, emotional, and academic needs. A great deal will be written about this era. I for one, will remember the people and the acts of kindness, commitment, and professionalism that carried us towards an increasingly brighter light at the end of this tunnel.
Thomas Scarice
Superintendent of Schools
Town Hall Debuts New Electric Town Cars
Press Release, Westport First Selectman’s OfficeThe Town of Westport is pleased to announce another major advancement in the roll out of its municipal vehicle fleet. This month, two new Chevy Bolts were leased for staff field work. The two Bolts will be used for municipal inspections by the Public Works Engineering Division and the Assessor’s Office. A cost benefit analysis has proven that these vehicles are environmentally friendly and are cost effective for town government operations.
When the Town committed to replacing two of its vehicles, the first established criteria was that the replacements be electric with good purchase and maintenance cost projections. The specific choice of two Chevy Bolts was based on their overall low price, good reputation, and compact size. The cars also have a low maintenance cost and a longer expected service life than competitors. Both vehicles are at the standard option level.
According to First Selectman Jim Marpe, “We are very proud of Westport’s advancement in electric vehicle usage and municipal charging stations. Investements such as the Police Department’s purchase of a Model 3 Tesla are proving to be beneficial, and we expect the same for the municipal fleet. These Bolts are a great addition to our fleet and are helping to move Westport closer toward meeting sustainability goals.”
The vehicles have been leased though the Enterprise Fleet Management program. The Town of Westport entered this program in 2020 after closely examining the financials associated with owning versus leasing vehicles with the Enterprise program. According to Director of Finance, Gary Conrad, “The cost benefit on the lease agreement is mostly due to the efficiencies gained from Enterprise’s Equity Leasing Program, which replaces vehicles every four years based on mileage and residual value. The Town is also looking closely at converting the remaining inspection fleet to electric vehicles as part of its net-zero by 2050 goal.”
Dawn Henry of Sustainable Westport added, “It’s exciting to see our municipality continuing to build on the community’s strong momentum in the transition to electric vehicles. Westport is currently #1 in the state in registered EVs per capita! With more new models at various price points entering the market, and continuing advances in battery technology allowing for longer driving distance, we expect even more residents will be making the switch. The Chevy Bolts are another great example of how EVs can be a practical every-day transportation choice.”
Opening Night Gallery: Staples Players Back in the Spotlight
Staples Players Senior David Corro plays Edgar Degas in “Degas, C’est Moi” during the opening night for “Words, Words, Words…and Music.” Westport Local Press photo. For the first time since 2019, the houselights dimmed as the Staples Players prepared to take the stage. Last night was their first performance in front of a live audience after over a year of virtual shows and radio broadcasts. Tickets are still available for the performances, which runs through tomorrow.
Presented as seven mini shows to celebrate all of the outgoing seniors, “Words, Words, Words…and Music” was sure to be a high note for the families and educators taking their socially distant seats. With every-other-row closed and a masked audience, the curtains opened at 7:30 yesterday evening as if the Players had never missed a beat.
Members of Staples Players in their final number. Through comedy, acrobatics, and intense theatrical skill - the actors continued to yank the masked audience members out of pandemic-era Westport and into a bustling Manhattan deli, or the enclosure of a zoo, or a hollowed tree (with some xenophobic elves.)
After a year filled with loss and change, the sound of the audience’s laughter - live and in-person - was a true testament to the necessity of live performances in the community.
Some changes could be noticed - but the changes were hardly a hardship. Intermission allowed the audience to recess outdoors under the stars in the Staples High School courtyard, where the infamous bake sale was taking place and families mingled on the warm evening.
Seating was created socially-distant. Every other row of the auditorium was closed - allowing for a completely uninterrupted view of the stage from every seat in the house - while groups were placed away from each other by several seats in between them.
The Staples Seniors ended the show in the costumes of their respective futures: each one coming onto the stage proudly displaying which university they’ll be attending in the Fall. With the audience on their feet, the Staples Players sang their final number and took their bow - ending the first show in nearly two years on a high note for the actors, the school, and the community.
Tickets are still available for tonight’s performance and tomorrow’s two performances. Visit staplersplayers.org for information.
