This afternoon, Ridgefield Public School Superintendent Susie Da Silva provided an update on the current RPS COVID-19 situation, the change in learning models that will begin on Monday, November 2, and an explanation of Addendum 4.
Update on RPS COVID-19 situation
As previously shared, the State of Connecticut has given flexibility to local health directors and school districts in deciding which learning model will be adopted based on the available information we have at any given time. Our goal has been and will continue to be maximizing in-person learning while keeping the RPS community safe.
This afternoon, I met with RPS Medical Advisor, Dr. James Ahern; Town of Ridgefield Health Director, Ed Briggs; COVID-19 Health and Safety Compliance Liaison and Coordinator of Nursing Services, Aaron Crook RN; Director of Personnel, Karen Dewing; and Assistant Superintendent of Special Services, Dr. Elizabeth Hannaway. We reviewed today’s Fairfield County and Ridgefield COVID-19 data, as well as the recent positive cases in RPS.
At this point in time, there is no evidence to suggest that COVID-19 transmission is occurring in our school buildings. Additionally, no student or faculty member who has been required to quarantine due to an exposure at school has tested positive for COVID-19. We believe that the mitigation efforts being practiced in our school buildings are effective and that our RPS cases are likely coming from outside sources. In addition, State of Connecticut epidemiologists said that the incidence of transmission within school buildings across Connecticut is remarkably low.
Change in learning models beginning Monday, November 2
On Monday, November 2, we will be shifting back to a low-risk learning model as follows:
- Pre-K-5: Full in-person learning will resume Mondays through Fridays
- 9-12: Hybrid learning will resume with buildings open on Wednesdays
This being said, the data shows COVID-19 infections in both Fairfield County and Ridgefield to be trending upward. Our goal is to make learning model adjustments only on Fridays, but it is important to understand that we may need to adjust more frequently given the fluid nature of the pandemic.
Explanation of Addendum 4
The flexibility in Addendum 4 allows school districts to change learning models on a continuum and that decisions “should be based on indicators of the spread and prevalence of COVID-19 in the community and on the physical and operational ability of school districts to implement critical mitigation strategies. Decision-making should happen in light of these considerations and in consultation with local health departments, school medical advisors, and municipal leaders.”
As a reminder, many factors go into public health decision making, including but not limited to: the overall prevalence of COVID-19 in Fairfield County, the number of new cases in Ridgefield, whether the source of the infection is known or unknown, the timeframe in which new infections appear, and other privileged health information.