Superintendent Provides Update for Westport Schools
Superintendent Thomas Scarice: Dear Westport Families,
As we continue to endure the Omicron surge, possibly beginning to now see a leveling off with an expected drop off, I would like to provide some updates regarding current measures, along with some modifications.
K-8 Recess Universal Masking: The Governor’s universal masking mandate for schools remains in effect through February 15, 2022. When we returned from break, we required masking for outdoor recess as a precaution. Given our ability to mitigate in the school environment, and the reduction of the risk factor outdoors, we will remove the K-8 recess masking requirement beginning on Tuesday January 18. Of course, families may elect to have their child to continue to wear a mask during outdoor recess.
Before & After School Programs: Before and after school programs were suspended for the first two weeks since the return from the break as a precaution. Given our ability to mitigate within the school environment, and the need for students to continue with programs outside the school day for their emotional and mental wellness, we will restart our K-8 before and after school programs on Tuesday January 18.
Expansion of Weekly Serial Testing to Vaccinated Students: For the past several weeks, the Westport Public Schools have provided the option of a weekly serial COVID-19 testing program for unvaccinated students in grades pre K-6. This program is made available through a collaboration with the State of Connecticut and is free of charge to all families.
This week, we received notification that the screening program would be expanded to include fully vaccinated students as well.
This program is completely voluntary and will require signed parental consent. Students will be out of class no longer than a few minutes and the test itself takes approximately 15 seconds.
Any student who has had a positive COVID-19 diagnosis within the last 90 days should not be tested.
The test will be an anterior shallow nasal swab PCR test that only includes the lower nasal area. Each participating child will be tested weekly at school. Parents will be able to create a confidential HIPAA compliant patient portal where their results will be published and stored. The parent email on the consent form will be the email used to communicate the patient portal information.
If you would like your unvaccinated or vaccinated child to be part of this weekly testing program please complete the consent form in this link. If your child was previously signed up and was vaccinated they may have been taken off the list and you may need to re-register your child by providing an additional consent. Testing is planned for each Monday with the next testing date planned for January 24th.
The consent form and frequently asked question page can be found in the following link. https://progressive-diagnostics.com/school-testing/.
School Performances and Concerts: School performances and concerts were also suspended after the break. Principals are working with our K-12 Music and Arts Coordinator, Steve Zimmerman, to reschedule these events for in-person experiences. Each school will develop their own schedules and this information will be communicated to families when dates are confirmed.
We will continue to monitor conditions as we flexibly employ mitigating measures in response to the pandemic.
Respectfully,
Thomas Scarice
Superintendent of Schools
Westport COVID-19 Cases Up 32; State Hospitalizations, Positivity Rate Both Down for Second Day
The Aspetuck Health District and the State Department of Public Health reported 32 new COVID-19 cases for Westport over the past 24 hours. The State’s daily test positivity rate was down again today, sitting at 19.35% while hospitalizations were also down as 22 patients were released from hospitals, totaling 1,895 patients. 66.2% of those hospitalized are not fully vaccinated.
Westport total positive or probable cases: 3,228 cases.
Westport total COVID-19 Deaths: 33 deaths
State Daily Test Positivity: 19.35% [down from 20.27%]
State Hospitalizations: 1,895 patients [-22]
Morning Weather Report: Overnight Wind Chill Nears -12 Degrees
Today
Partly sunny, with a high near 42. Wind chill values between 20 and 30. Breezy, with a north wind 10 to 15 mph increasing to 17 to 22 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 34 mph.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 7. Wind chill values between -10 and zero. Blustery, with a northwest wind 14 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 37 mph.
Tomorrow
Mostly sunny and cold, with a high near 19. Wind chill values between -10 and zero. Northwest wind 15 to 17 mph.
Tomorrow Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 6. North wind 8 to 16 mph.
UPDATE: Police Ask for Public’s Help in Locating Missing 22 Year Old after Saugatuck River Search
Westport Police Department: On January 13, 2022, at approximately 5:15 p.m., the Westport Police Department began a missing person investigation. It was reported that around 4:30 p.m. a twenty-two-year-old female launched a canoe into the Saugatuck River. A short time later a witness saw the female in the canoe in the area of the Ruth Steinkraus Bridge in the center of town. The witness briefly lost sight of the canoe and when he saw it again it was empty. At the time the female was seen in the canoe the water level was relatively low, so it is possible that she got out of the canoe and walked to shore.
Currently, the Westport Police and Fire Dive Team is searching the waters where the person was last seen. A thorough search on land is also being conducted.
The missing person is identified as twenty-two-year-old Sera Levy. Ms. Levy is Caucasian, approx. 5’6”, weighs roughly 130 lbs., and has chin length brown hair. She was last seen wearing a yellow coat and blue pants.
The police are asking any resident that lives along the Saugatuck River to please check your home surveillance for any footage that may be helpful. If anyone has information regarding Ms. Levy’s whereabouts, please contact the Westport Police Department immediately at 203-341-6000.
10:30 PM UPDATE
As of 10:30 PM on January 13, 2022: Westport PD has developed information that the missing person exited the river and made her way to a local business where she was captured on surveillance. Although WPD has not located the missing person at this time, the search for her in our local waters has been suspended. We ask anyone with information on the whereabouts of Ms. Levy to please contact the Westport Police Department.
1:13 AM
The missing woman has been found and is safe
"The missing person is identified as twenty-two-year-old Sera Levy. Ms. Levy is Caucasian, approx. 5’6”, weighs roughly 130 lbs., and has chin length brown hair. She was last seen wearing a yellow coat and blue pants." Contributed photo