COVID-19 and Learning Model Update
This week, Governor Lamont and the Connecticut Department of Public Health issued new guidance that school districts remain open despite higher levels of COVID-19 in the community because transmission within Connecticut school buildings is extremely low. We do not have evidence that the COVID-19 cases within RPS to date are from in-school transmission. We believe they came from outside of school. If this changes, we will inform the RPS community and adjust accordingly.
This afternoon, my team and I met with Ridgefield Health Department Director, Ed Briggs and RPS Medical Advisor, James Ahern. We reviewed updated COVID-19 numbers for Fairfield County and Ridgefield and decided to continue our current learning model:
- Elementary schools fully in person
- RHS current hybrid model
- Middle schools returning to hybrid model on Tuesday, November 10
I am also including links to two press conferences where the Governor discusses COVID-19 cases relative to learning models.
Addendum 5: Interim Guidance for Responding to COVID-19 Scenarios in Connecticut Schools and Addendum 9: Contact Tracing Scenarios in Schools.
Please be reminded that our learning model may shift to ‘remote’ if we are unable to staff classrooms or a school in an appropriate and safe way.
CIAC Update
According to the CIAC, they are postponing the November 21 winter sports start date. The CIAC Board of Control may provide a new start date for winter sports after its November 17 board meeting. District decisions will be shared shortly thereafter.
Visit Ridgefield Public Schools online here for additional information.