Bridgeport elementary schools to go hybrid after Thanksgiving

BRIDGEPORT — Public elementary schools here plan to go hybrid after Thanksgiving.

That was the message from Schools Superintendent Michael Testani to his school board Tuesday, telling them the effort is aimed at staying ahead of growing COVID-19 positivity rates and an upcoming flu season.

“It will give a chance to get ahead of (the virus) rather than react,” Testani said.

Board Chairman John Weldon said the change does not need board approval.

Since school opened this fall, slightly more than half of the district’s 20,000 students — 10,733 at last count — have opted for in-person learning.

City high schools have run on a so-called hybrid schedule where most students attend classes inperson two days a week and learn remotely three days a week.

Elementary schools have

been open for in-person learning four days a week, with everyone learning remotely on Wednesday. The in-person option was possible since roughly half of all elementary students were being kept at home by their parents for remote learning only.

As of Wednesday, 26 students and six staff members districtwide have contracted the virus across 19 schools, according to the district’s COVID-19 dashboard.

Officials say there is no indication the virus was contracted at school. Testani attributed more positive cases to more pop-up testing.

Even so, the superintendent said positive cases have caused classes and in some cases entire schools to shut down for days or weeks.

In some cases, teacher absences have compromised a school’s ability to keep classes of students in self-contained cohorts. Testani said the district is having trouble finding substitute teachers.

Bridgeport Education Association President Ana Batista said the district promised teachers that they would not be responsible for other cohorts when colleagues are out sick.

“That is not currently happening,” Batista said, describing how in one school, teachers are being asked to teach two classes of students at once in the cafeteria.

Batista called the situation unsafe and the current situation not sustainable.

Testani said he has consulted with City Health Director Lisa Morrissey about how to proceed as winter — and flu season — approaches.

By moving elementary schools to a hybrid model on Nov. 30, Testani said classroom density will be reduced, parents will get advanced notice of the change and students who have been coming to school will get more remote learning practice should a rise in cases cause schools to shut like they did in the spring.

He said he is hoping that will not occur. He also said he hopes the switch to hybrid at the elementary level will not last for the school year. Plans are to run the hybrid schedule until Feb. 16.

“That way, we all will be prepared,” Testani said. He said the district now has enough devices to send home with all students.

Because the model is shifting, Testani said parents who were locked into a Sept. 30 decision to keep students home or send them to school may be able to opt for in-person learning.

In a letter to parents on Wednesday, Testani said he realized the shift could pose a challenge to some parents. He also said the hybrid schedule at high schools has been effective in controlling the spread of COVID-19.

“I want to encourage more students to come to school,” Testani said.

Board member Jessica Martinez said she is concerned about students learning primarily off tablets but supports the change.

“I just want to make sure they are learning,” Martinez said.

Britney Berrios, parent of a a Black Rock fifth-grader who spoke during the board’s virtual board meeting, praised the plan to go hybrid at the elementary level.

“Taking everyone out completely would not be fair,” Berrios said. “This way, everyone can be learning and participating and safe.”