The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
‘I’m proud of the staff, teachers, everyone’
Superintendent’s weekly forum with parents focuses on first day of school
LITCHFIELD — Region 6 and Litchfield Public Schools Superintendent Chris Leone’s weekly parent forum Monday focused on the first day of school, as students returned to class after a week of being re-introduced to their school buildings and learning how to navigate school in the time of COVID-19.
“The resounding comment from the students was ‘It’s good to be back,’” Leone said, addressing a group of about 25 parents online at the forum, a tradition he’s continued since June.
“All I can say is, as a superintendent, and as a dad, I’m proud of them,” he said. “I’m proud of the staff, teachers, everyone. There have been long days and even longer nights, getting ready for this, and their commitment to our students goes beyond measure or words.”
Typically, Leone’s weekly forum gives parents a chance to ask questions or voice concerns about anything and
everything, the superintendent said. “They ask questions, and I do my best to answer them,” he said.
Some parents asked when sports activities would begin.
“As far as attendance at sports games and sports in general, we’ll continue to revisit that,” Leone said. “We’re watching an epic media brawl between the CIAC and the Department of Public Health . ... A desire (for sports) and a health concern. The guidance we’re getting is subject to change and it has changed.”
Another question referred to when the district’s students would receive new Chromebooks, which are being provided by the state education department
Leone said a delivery of the computers had arrived, but that he was still waiting for more. “By Sept. 15, we should have those deliveries,” he said.
Some technical difficulties arose for virtual learning Monday, Leone said. “It has been a challenge,” he said. “We have students logging in to meet with guidance and principals, and they’ve been engaging, but (can’t see the person) with only one view. We’re working on that.”
The school districts have established a health assessment protocol for students to follow, to be aware of possible symptoms. When a parent asked what would happen if a child who appeared to be sick were to get on the bus, Leone said there were steps in place to deal with that.
“If a child is sick, they will be told through their parents to get a (COVID-19) test,” he said. “If we do get a positive test (for COVID-19), we’ll do contact tracing, to find out who the student has been in contact with.”
“These are things we must stay vigilant with,” Leone said. “We must continue to improve every day, not just as a school, but as a community. I passed a field in a neighboring town the other night, and there was a softball game going on. Not a single adult was wearing a mask. It’s going to take everyone to make this work.”
Families who are using the distance learning model are entitled to school lunches, which can be picked up, according to Leone. Parents can email davidfiorillo@rsd6.org for food service information.
Several people asked whether they could sit in on a remote learning class “to see what it’s all about and decide if it works,” a parent said.
“No, but we can set up a mock lesson,” the superintendent said, adding that student privacy had to be protected.
He also said both school districts need substitute teachers. “There are not a lot of applicants right now,” he said. “You don’t need certification.”
Finally, Leone said the school districts have received tremendous financial contributions from both ParentTeacher Organizations, the Student Teacher Parent Councils, White Memorial and private donors.
“None of what we’re doing right now would be possible without this type of commitment,” he said. “We’ve received more from local contributions than from the state of Connecticut. That’s what it means to be part of these communities. That’s how we’re making it work.”
To learn more about the schools’ learning plans, visit www.litchfieldschools.org or rsd6.org.