Westport Superintendent Thomas Scarice:

Dear Westport Families and Staff,

As you are all aware, the recent surge of infections has gripped our region.  We are experiencing infection rates unlike any time since the start of the pandemic.  We do know that our students are best served being in school and, along with continuing to maintain the health and safety of our students and staff, keeping our students in school and engaged in all of their programs remains our priority.  

As the conditions rapidly unfold, guidance from our partners at the State Department of Education and Department of Public Health remains delayed.  There are legitimate questions about our ability to staff our schools next week based on recent infection rates, travel cancellations for those out of state, among other complications. With limited guidance from the state level, we will work at our local level to develop approaches in the event conditions warrant further interventions and modifications. 

For this reason, a decision has been made to extend the winter break by one day for all students.  Monday January 3 will not be a school day for students.  

All faculty and staff will report on Monday January 3. This will enable the district to work collaboratively to develop a range of responses to the changing conditions over the coming weeks.  The fluid situation requires thoughtful consideration and this additional day on Monday provides a measure of time to continue planning and assessing actual staffing levels to ensure that we can provide a healthy and optimal educational experience for our students.  

Among the many considerations, the district team has been working this entire week to make provisions for:

• a range of potential Executive Orders or state emergency declarations, 

• additional ways to support a significant increase in the number of students in isolation due to infection

• optimizing mitigating measures in schools, such as  lunch waves

• state adoption of new CDC guidance which potentially shortens isolation and quarantine periods, and redefines “fully vaccinated” (all of which could impact staffing levels and student attendance)

• the high school mid-term exams

There are obviously other considerations beyond this list, however, this is illustrative of the many challenges we face in successfully returning our students and staff to school next week.  

You can expect further information over the weekend. In the meantime, stay healthy.

Respectfully,

Thomas Scarice

Superintendent of Schools