Superintendent Provides Update, Highlighting Masking, Snow Days, and Treatment of Unvaccinated Students

From Superintendent Thomas Scarice: 

Greetings,

As the week comes to a close I would like to provide the school community with some updates.  

School Cancellation Due to Weather

I am very sorry about today.  Again, a forecast drove the decision to cancel.  As I signaled Thursday, I anticipated that an early dismissal would be necessary.  The regional superintendents’ consultation with our meteorologist at 4:15am led to this decision.  It was another miscalculation and the ice did not materialize in the predicted time frame.  Again, my apologies. 

Winter Break

Winter break is the week of February 21-25. Students return to school on Monday February 28.

Universal Masking

As the community is aware, an executive order from Governor Lamont has mandated universal masking in public school buildings. This order carries the power of law.  The order expires on February 15.  At this point it is unclear if the Governor will extend the order and continue to require universal masking in all schools.  There are a number of scenarios that can transpire.  The order can be extended.  The order can be modified with conditions and extended, or the order can sunset and local districts will be required to determine whether or not to require universal masking.

This topic has been the source of a great deal of division in both the public health and medical community, as well as in the school community.  As with all mitigating measures in response to the pandemic, the district will continue to receive guidance from our local health district, medical advisor and the CT Department of Public Health.  

At the outset of the pandemic and the beginning of the 2020-2021 school year, the district took a very conservative approach to our learning models and mitigating measures.  Since last January, we have learned a great deal and provided increased access to programs and services within the guidance we have been provided.  Not only have we remained fully open, including extracurricular programs, we have consistently peeled back layers of mitigation when the opportunities have presented themselves.  I anticipate that we will take the same approach with universal masking based on the guidance we receive. 

We will continue to provide updates to the school community as we learn more about the decision to extend, modify, or sunset the current executive orders.  

Student Vaccination Status

It was recently brought to my attention that students who are not vaccinated against COVID-19 have received or overheard disparaging remarks made by members of our school community about their vaccination status during school and school-sponsored activities.  It was further reported that such remarks have had a negative impact on the emotional well-being of these students. 

As we continue to investigate these concerns, I want to remind all members of our school community to act in a manner that it is respectful of others and to refrain from engaging in behavior that could be considered discrimination and/or harassment.  Specifically, disparaging remarks directed toward, or made about, a student’s vaccination status during school or school-sponsored activities are inconsistent with the district’s commitment to an educational environment free of harassment and discrimination and will not be tolerated. 

As always, please reach out to your child’s building principal or school counselor with any concerns about your child’s emotional well-being.  The pandemic has affected all of us in a variety of ways, and it is critical that we remain supportive and respectful of each other and each other’s differences as we continue navigating through these unprecedented circumstances.

I hope that you and your family enjoy the weekend.  It is forecasted to be frigid..but based on my experience, I would be skeptical of any forecasts!!

Respectfully,

Thomas Scarice

Superintendent of Schools