Brookfield elementary will resume in-person learning in January

BROOKFIELD — Superintendent of Schools John Barile announced students in kindergarten through eighth grade can return to full in-person learning five days a week starting Jan. 19, according to an email to the community.

Brookfield High School students are scheduled to return to the hybrid model on Jan. 19 but remote learning is still an option for parents who prefer it, the email said. The district has been distance learning since Nov. 17 when the district saw an increase in confirmed COVID-19 cases.

Barile said it is “critically important” for students to return to in-person learning as soon as safely possible. The decision came after an extensive review of Brookfield’s health metrics and discussions with the department of public health, according to Barile.

“This pandemic presents a very dynamic situation and, in the absence of widespread vaccines, the situation could change in a matter of a few days since the virus continues to spread in the community,” Barile said. “Therefore, we will continue to monitor the health data trends over the next few weeks as we prepare for our return. Should a drastic change of the health trend data move in the wrong direction, we will be in touch with any adjustments to our plans.”

Barile plans to send a follow-up email after the winter break regarding a change in the quarantine period from 14 days to 10 days per CDC guidelines suggested by the Brookfield Health Department.

The district emphasized the need to continue being vigilant and applying “mitigation strategies” — additional cleaning, hand washing and mask-wearing — for a safe return.