Schools of thought differ on spring break

Districts around the state are grappling with decisions about spring vacation within weeks after Gov. Ned Lamont ordered schools to close until at least April 20, forcing districts to teach students, as best they can, from a distance using the internet and course materials sent home with students.

While some educators contend both students and teachers need a break, other districts fear losing momentum with their elearning, which they just got up and running.

And, this vacation comes at a time when playing outdoors will be a challenge for many children with group activities banned and playgrounds closed in many municipalities in order to maintain social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic.

Despite the closure of Stamford playgrounds, the school district is still “encouraging kids to get outside and enjoy the time they have off,” said Sharon Beadle, public affairs officer for Stamford Public Schools.

“Get outside and play,” Beadle said. “Spring break is spring break.”

Karen Numez has a

first-grader at New Canaan County Day School and a fifth-grader at Hart Magnet Elementary School in Stamford. With her older student off next week for spring break, Numez said she is uncertain how it will all play out: one son distance learning, one on vacation and her working from home.

“It is going to be more difficult, because I still have to work, and it is already challenging,” Numez said.

The family luckily has a backyard, which allows for outdoor activity while still social distancing, and Numez said she insists her sons go outside to play for part of the day.

Still, that won’t eat up all the hours.

Numez said she plans to have them use online learning apps, “so they have something to do besides watching TV.”

Stamford schools are not alone in going forward with their pre-planned spring break. New Haven, Guilford, Bridgport and Stratford are among the many that have decided to leave their calendars untouched.

“We will honor spring break,” said Janet Robinson, superintendent of Stratford schools. “Our teachers jumped into this distance learning with diligence, and our students and parents have had to rearrange their lives, so the break is no doubt needed.”

New Haven had a different reason for the keeping the recess: social distancing.

“We need people to stay at home,” said Michael Pinto, the chief operating officer for New Haven Public Schools. “Stay home. Stay healthy.”

Like Stamford, New Haven’s playgrounds are closed and those with fences have been “locked up,” Pinto said.

In Greenwich, it is not just the playgrounds that have been shuttered. Town parks and beaches are also closed.

The limited outdoor options for students are one reason Superintendent of Schools Toni Jones decided to truncate the originally planned spring break.

“This issue is especially concerning now that school fields, parks and beaches are all closed,” Jones wrote in an email to parents.

While Greenwich had scheduled a week-long break, Jones opted to switch to a long weekend — Friday, April 10 to Monday, April 13 — followed by three days of distance learning and then another three-day weekend.

“There are concerns that breaking routines for a week when students must stay inside would not be beneficial, and could cause social distancing to be more challenging for our families and students,” Jones said.

New Canaan is doing the same, with three days of distance learning — Tuesday, April 14 through Thursday, April 16, just like Greenwich. They, too, will have a four-day Easter weekend and a three-day weekend at the other end. They also built in two halfdays to set aside time for teacher professional learning.

“After reflecting upon our goals for distance learning, I feel strongly that it would be counterproductive for us to shut down the entire program for 10 full days,” Superintendent of Schools Bryan Luizzi said in a statement.

Luizzi said he is “enormously grateful for how hard everyone is working,” and he hopes the two long weekends “will provide time for rejuvenation while also keeping everyone engaged and safe.”

On the opposite end of the spectrum from New Canaan and Greenwich, the Diocese of Bridgeport is extending its break to two weeks for its 32 elementary schools and several high schools around Fairfield County, April 6 through April 17.

During those two weeks, however, the Diocese intends to offer four distance learning lessons, Superintendent Steven Cheeseman said. The specifics of timing and curricula for the distance learning are left up to the individual schools, he added.

The e-learning will be designed to meet social and emotional needs and explore Catholic identity as “that is the principal reason for the sessions,” Cheeseman said.