CLASSROOM CLOSURES
After recently reopening, these Connecticut schools have shuttered due to students, staff testing positive
Since Connecticut’s public schools began reopening in late August, a handful have temporarily shut down in-person learning due to confirmed cases of COVID-19 among staff or students. While there are not state mandates on when schools should close because of positive cases, most school districts and local health departments are following guidelines provided by the state Department of Education. The guidelines state that if a school sees two or more cases within 14 days, linked together through a school activity but involving people who are in different classrooms or cohorts, local officials may close the school for 14 days. The department notes individual circumstances must be taken into account, and decisions should be made in consultation with local health officials.
Here is a list of schools that have closed due to COVID-19 cases, with the most recently announced shutdowns listed first. It will be updated throughout the school year.
Stillmeadow School, Stamford: Stillmeadow School in Stamford closed on Sept. 11 after a member of the school community tested positive for the coronavirus, school officials said.
“In order to allow the Stamford Department of Health to complete the contact tracing protocols, we are canceling school Friday, September 11,” an email to parents said. The email to parents said they would be contacted directly “if your child was exposed and needs to self isolate.” It did not say whether a student or staff member had been infected.
Manchester Middle Academy: Manchester Middle Academy was closed Sept. 11 after a student there showed symptoms of COVID-19 and had been in close contact with a person diagnosed with the disease.
The alternative school that serves grades 5-8 has about 45 students.
Superintendent of Schools Matt Geary said the building will be deep cleaned and school nurses and health department staff are conducting contact tracing. Students and staff who were in close contact with the student will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days unless the identified student tests negative.
New Milford Public Schools: New Milford Public Schools closed Sept. 10 and 11, after school officials were informed on Sept. 9 that a member of the school community tested positive for COVID-19. The district did not say whether the individual was a staff member or a student. All students and teachers are expected revert to remote learning. School officials reported the individual did not experience symptoms, but decided to get tested after at least one other family member tested positive,
“Due to the multiple schools, staff members, bus company employees and students involved, it will be a significant period of time before contact tracing is completed by the New Milford Public Health Department along with the New Milford Public Schools,” Superintendent of Schools Paul Smotas said in a letter to parents.
Naugatuck High School: Naugatuck High School dismissed students early Sept. 9 after a student tested positive for COVID19. The infected student, a senior, was last in the school Sept. 8, said Superintendent of Schools Christopher Montini in a letter to parents.
“E f f e c t i v e i m m e d i a t e l y, Naugatuck High School is closed,” he wrote. “Until further notice, all Naugatuck High School students will participate in distance learning from home.”
The district said the student does not take the bus to school, and all classrooms were sanitized between classes and after school Tuesday.
The school is expected to reopen within two to five days.
Somers Elementary School: Somers Elementary school closed Sept. 9 and 10 after a staff member who works with pre-kindergarten students tested positive for COVID-19. Superintendent of Schools Brian P. Czapla announced the decision to families the night of Sept. 8, the district’s first day of school.
“I apologize for the late notice and the impact on families and students,” Czapla said in a message posted on the school system’s website Tuesday night. “The health and wellbeing of our students, staff and families continues to be our first priority.”
Valley Regional High School, Deep River: Valley Regional High closed Sept. 8 and 9 after two students tested positive for COVID-19.
“Our local health departments need time to conduct contact tracing and to confirm that numerous attempts are made to reach all of the people who may have been in close contact with each of the confirmed cases,” Region 4 Schools Superintendent Brian J. White wrote in a letter to families Sept. 7.
“During the school closure, we will implement our deep cleaning protocols at Valley Regional High School, to prepare the building for the safe return of students and staff.”
Students and staff at the high school were expected to participate in remote learning while the school remained closed, with all after-school and extracurricular activities canceled for those two days.