Greetings, 

Just a few quick updates for our school community regarding an inclement weather forecast for tomorrow and the sunsetting of some Covid measures.

• Inclement Weather Forecast for Wednesday: We are watching the weather for tomorrow. The forecast just received indicates that most of the snow, if it sticks to roads, will be late morning/early afternoon. We are having our sidewalks and driveways pretreated today and we are working with Westport public works to ensure that roads are treated. Given that the expectation is for snow to arrive in the late morning/early afternoon, at this point, we are planning on a normal arrival time unless the forecast changes. Although there is a chance there will be a slushy commute, public works should be able to keep up with the snowfall given the sun today and warm weather over the weekend. This should keep conditions reasonable for travel. There is a regional superintendents call with our consulting meteorologist between 4am-5am and we should have a definitive answer shortly after 5am. In the absence of delay or cancellation notification shortly after 5am, families should plan on a regular arrival time

• Daily Covid Reports: As promised, we have committed to providing daily Covid case reports through Friday March 11. Given the low infection rates, the daily reports will end this Friday March 11. The district is still required to continue to report new cases to the State Department of Education.

• End of Quarantine Tutoring: Beginning March 14, 2022 the Westport Public Schools will discontinue remote tutoring services for students in quarantine. Given the low number of students in quarantine and the decreased number of days students are required to be out of school, we are confident that student needs will be met by classroom teachers upon their return to school. Classroom teachers will continue to schedule times to check in with students while they are in quarantine. As outlined in the Westport Public Schools Parent/Guardian Handbook, students absent for less than two consecutive days will usually not be given special homework. When the absence extends beyond two days due to illness or extenuating family circumstances, homework will be provided if requested or necessary.

Respectfully,
Thomas Scarice
Superintendent of Schools