The Darien Public Schools will be closed beginning March 12, 2020. Schools will resume on Thursday, March 26, 2020.
The closure includes the cancellation of all academic, athletic, and extracurricular activities. District and school facilities may not be used for any event during the period of closure. All schools and facilities will be thoroughly deep cleaned while closed.
In a letter to the school community Alan Addley, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools wrote:
Earlier this evening you received notification that the Darien Public Schools is closing for fourteen calendar days, beginning tomorrow, Thursday, March 12.
The scheduled date of return to school is Thursday, March 26. We will communicate with you throughout the period of closure as we learn more information. The closure includes the cancellation of all academic, athletic, and extracurricular activities. District and school facilities may not be used for any event during the period of closure. All schools and facilities will be thoroughly deep cleaned while closed.
This decision to close schools was made late today in consultation with the First Selectman and town and school health officials. Today, the State Department of Health shared that the spread of the Coronavirus is not only imminent but is actively occurring across local communities. While no Darien resident has been diagnosed with the Coronavirus, in an abundance of caution, the District is being proactive in its response to close schools in order to prevent the potential spread of the virus.
Presently, with one snow day and ten days of closure due to the Coronavirus, the last day of school would be scheduled for June 30. As we learn more over the next several days, the Board of Education may be required to use some or all of the April break to make-up missed days. We will keep you apprised of how we intend to make up the days and reschedule meetings and activities.
Our dedicated and talented staff has worked tirelessly over the past weeks to create enrichment experiences that all students will be able to access while schools are closed. Resources are accessible for all students in both general and special education. You will receive a separate communication with instructions on how to access these materials, which will be available through our website or Google Classroom beginning on Monday March 13. These activities are completely voluntary and students are not required to participate. The activities are not intended to replace classroom instruction.
Our administrators will reach out to individual families in the days ahead to explain the process we will use to provide services to their children once school reopens. Tomorrow, after consultation with the Connecticut Commissioner of Education, the District will decide whether or not it meets the criteria to submit a waiver to have eLearning days count towards the 180 days of school. We will advise you of the decision.
We appreciate your patience and understanding during this difficult time. Take care of yourselves during this time and follow the health guidance and recommendations shared with you in previous communications. In particular, we ask parents and students to be mindful of the guidance to avoid activities involving large gatherings.
Thank you for your understanding and collaboration as we make decisions for the health and safety of our students. Together we will successfully navigate these turbulent and uncertain times.
My apologies for the late notice.