In a message to families of Darien Public Schools students and school district staff, Superintendent Alan Addley noted that the district would have a vaccination clinic for teachers and staff on Friday and Saturday.
He also said that two parents per player can now attend sports events.
Also, First Selectman Jayme Stevenson issued her regular COVID-19 update to the town on Thursday. “As of March 1, teachers, school staff, licensed child care providers and anyone 55+ became eligible for vaccine,” she said. She also noted that Darien Library is expected to be closed until this Wednesday after a staff member acquired COVID-19.
The full texts of both messages are attached to the bottom of this article.
The superintendent’s Friday, March 5 letter said, in part:
“Being vaccinated does not mean that we become complacent with health and safety protocols. We will continue to wear masks, maintain appropriate physical distances and adhere to handwashing and cleaning protocols. Please continue similar practices at home and in the community.”
Stevenson’s message mentioned these recent COVID-19 statistics for the town:
“There have been 52 new cases and one hospitalization during the two-week period since Feb. 19. There are 1200 total cases from 775 unique households. Darien Public Schools report 12 active cases resulting in 145 quarantines. Darien’s positivity rate has declined to 1.8% — a rate not seen since last July.”
Superintendent’s Message
March 5, 2021
Dear families and staff,
We were thrilled this week to welcome all students back to in person learning as the last phase of our return to school plan. Teachers were excited to have their students back in class and students were happy to be back with their friends. Thank you to our Hindley community as they navigated a remote learning day this week in order to allow contact tracing to be completed.
The return to school has aligned nicely with the plan to vaccinate our staff today and tomorrow. We are greatly appreciative for the efforts of the Darien Health Department and our nurses in providing dedicated vaccination clinics. Having all staff vaccinated will contribute to a safer school environment for students and staff.
Being vaccinated does not mean that we become complacent with health and safety protocols. We will continue to wear masks, maintain appropriate physical distances and adhere to handwashing and cleaning protocols. Please continue similar practices at home and in the community.
If I can emphasize one message this week it is please do not send your child(ren) to school if they exhibit signs of illness. Quarantining large numbers of students and staff can often be attributed to attending school while being sick. Please take every precaution to keep yourself and others safe as we navigate what we hope to be the final months of COVID.
The continued positive trends in health and safety data allows us to permit two parents per player to attend DHS home athletic events. Yesterday the governor lifted some COVID restrictions. We are reviewing these restrictions with our public health officials for any school policy implications.
As the end of the school year approaches, conversations and planning are underway regarding how best to recognize students’ educational milestones and transitions. District and school leaders will work with health officials as more information is made available by the governor and the Connecticut Department of Public Health.
Being back together, having access to vaccinations and the longer days of sunshine continue to offer optimism and excitement across our schools. The past year has demanded so much of everyone and we have much to be proud of in Darien. Thank you for your continued support as members of our community are vaccinated and we see a slow return to the world we once knew.
Enjoy the weekend,
Sincerely,
Dr. Alan Addley, Ed.D
Superintendent
First Selectman’s Message
Good evening. This is First Selectman Jayme Stevenson with important COVID-19 update for Thursday, March 4.
There have been 52 new cases and one hospitalization during the two-week period since February 19th. There are 1200 total cases from 775 unique households. Darien Public Schools report 12 active cases resulting in 145 quarantines. Darien’s positivity rate has declined to 1.8% — a rate not seen since last July.
You can find statewide COVID-19 data at www.ct.gov/coronavirus and townwide data at www.darienct.gov/covid19.
As of March 1, teachers, school staff, licensed child care providers and anyone 55+ became eligible for vaccine. The Darien Heath Department will be vaccinating over 650 teachers and staff tomorrow and Saturday and licensed childcare providers will be vaccinated beginning next week.
Anyone 55+ or otherwise eligible in Phase 1a should register through a third-party clinic such as Grieb’s Pharmacy at GriebsPharmacy.com, Walgreens at Walgreens.com/ScheduleVaccine and Stamford Hospital at StamfordHealth.org.
Additionally you can register directly through the State’s online Vaccine Enrollment Portal at DPHSubmissions.ct.gov/OnlineVaccine or by calling 1-877-918-2224.
As a reminder, the schedule for further expansion of vaccine eligibility is as follows:
—March 22: Ages 45-54
—April 12: Ages 35-44
—May 3: Ages 16-34
Please be patient as the state works through vaccine supply allocations as eligibility expands.
The Darien Library has been impacted by COVID-19 and will be closed from Friday, March 4 until Wednesday, March 10. Service updates will be posted at DarienLibrary.org/Update.
I’m pleased to share that Governor Lamont announced an easing of COVID restrictions beginning March 19. Travel quarantines will no longer be mandated (Portal.CT.gov/Coronavirus/Travel) and capacity limits will be eliminated for restaurants, non-theatre indoor recreation, libraries, museums, aquariums, gyms/fitness centers, retail and offices, personal service establishments and houses of worship.
Mask mandates and spacing requirements are continued. The governor hopes to make additional modifications on April 2.
Virus trends are positive and vaccines are being delivered. Please keep up the great job you’ve been doing distancing and wearing masks. Your continued diligence is helping us see the light at the end of the COVID tunnel.
Thank you and good evening.