Waterford schools to reopen with hybrid plan

Waterford — Schools here are set to reopen here on Aug. 31 under a hybrid plan, keeping in line with most districts in the region.

School officials have chosen what they believe is the safest route while trying to maintain some level of in-person instruction: beginning with a mix of in-person and distance learning with hopes of moving to full in-person learning later in the fall.

The school system had originally planned to have all students back for full-time, in-person instruction, as initially recommended by Gov. Ned Lamont.

But after districts submitted reopening plans in late July, Lamont told them that instead of full in-person learning, they could pick a hybrid model. Like other schools, Waterford had to have alternate plans for a hybrid reopening or full distance learning.

Lamont and state Department of Education Commissioner Miguel Cardona still encouraged districts to pursue in-person models this fall, arguing that out-of-school virtual learning could negatively impact students.

On Aug. 5, the Board of Education

approved Superintendent Thomas Giard’s recommendation for the hybrid reopening, which he has termed a “phase-in approach to full-in person learning.”

“The Waterford Public Schools will open the school year in a hybrid model as outlined in our reopening plan with the goal of a return to full on-campus learning by mid-October,” Giard told parents and guardians in a letter. “We will reassess the viability of returning to full on-campus learning at the beginning of October. At that time, we will examine health metrics and guidance from health officials as well as information we receive from state officials.”

Giard listed some benefits of starting with the hybrid approach. For one, it allows the district to train students on new safety protocols. Giard said he and the school board believe the hybrid model “will help to reduce anxiety amongst staff, students, and families.” They also think smaller classes to begin the year mean students will be able cultivate stronger one-onone relationships with educators.

The hybrid plan has schools operating at 50% capacity. It calls for half of the students to attend in-person instruction on Mondays and Tuesdays while the other half are in school on Thursdays and Fridays. All students will distance learn on Wednesdays so the school can be closed for cleaning.

Students will be able to tune in to on-campus learning through audio livestream or Zoom video while accessing homework and other resources online. Students an also opt for full distance learning.

Staff and students will be required to wear masks, except prekindergarten students who do not have to wear a mask for the entire day, per state guidelines.

The reopening plan stipulates that if a student who has been to school has a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis, the Superintendent of Schools would notify local health officials. Schools would close for two to five days or longer if an infected person has been in the school. If a staff member or student is diagnosed with COVID-19, Ledge Light Health District would do contact tracing, and people would have to quarantine as necessary.

More information is available on the district’s reopening schools webpage.