Starting Feb. 28 in Darien schools: masks will become optional for students and staff, lunch practices will return to pre-COVID-19 rules, social distancing won’t be required, masks will still need to be worn on school buses.
Those were among the upcoming changes schools Superintendent Alan Adley announced Friday in his regular message to parents and staff.
Superintendent’s Friday Message
Here’s the full text of the message, sent out late Friday afternoon:
Feb. 18, 2022
Dear Families & Staff,
Last night the Board of Education convened a special meeting to discuss the transition to local decision making regarding the wearing of masks in schools. This option is available to school communities across Connecticut effective Feb. 28, 2022.
The Board of Education approved a motion to accept optional mask wearing effective Monday, Feb. 28 for students, staff and visitors when on the grounds of Darien Public Schools.
Some highlighted school practices in place after the February Recess :
● Students and staff (PreK-12) can choose whether or not to wear masks
● No contact tracing
● Pre-COVID lunch practices
● No social distancing
● Quarantining for COVID cases only
● COVID cases may return to school on day 6 with masks
● Athletes may return to sports on Day 6, no medical note required
● Masks must be worn when riding buses to and from school and athletic events.
School buses fall under the CDC federal requirement for public transportation.
● Our Special Education & Support Services (SESS) Department is working with families to address the needs of students with fragile medical conditions. Families needing assistance may contact the SESS Department via shklein@darienps.org or
203-656-7474.
The administration and staff have been engaged this week making preparations on how best to welcome our students back after the February Recess to a mask-optional environment. Principals will share additional information about their schools’ return on Feb. 28 in their Friday correspondence with families this afternoon.
It is very encouraging that we are able to return to more pre-COVID educational practices and that we are transitioning the management of COVID-19 in schools from a pandemic response model towards a public health management and control approach of this respiratory viral disease.
Your continued patience is appreciated as the District’s Medical Team awaits further guidance from the DPH [state Department of Public Health] and CSDE[Connecticut State Department of Education]. We will provide you with updates as new information becomes available, and inform you of any changes in school practices in response to any further guidance received.
Vaccination Clinics for School – Aged Children: Additional state-sponsored vaccination clinics for students 5-12 years old, 12+ and boosters, will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 22 at St. Luke’s, 1864 Post Road from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. This is a walk-in clinic. No appointments needed. Please bring your ID and insurance cards. Please direct any questions regarding these clinics to the Darien Health Department at 203.656.7320.
Reminder Notification of Positive COVID Cases: Please continue to call or email your school nurse(s) Nurse Contact List if your child tests positive for COVID.
Wishing you and your family a healthy and enjoyable February Recess.
Sincerely,
Alan Addley, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools