What will CT schools look like in the fall?
Most school districts across the state are preparing for a full return to in-person learning next school year. But health and safety protocols hang in the balance, as state and federal agencies release updated guidance over the next several months. And though many teachers have been vaccinated  an estimated 86 percent nationwide, according to a new poll by the National Education Association  only students ages 12 and up are eligible for the shot now. Once vaccines are available for younger children, rolling the shots out and encouraging families to get vaccinated could take time. Apart from health concerns, districts are planning for other ways to protect and support all students, particularly those most impacted by the pandemic. Some have reworked the school day to meet student need; others are making space for more social-emotional learning and education technology. Still, districts have a lot of homework to do before a safe return in September. Learning models  Superintendent of Schools Tamu Lucero recently said her district, Stamford, is guessing at this point when it comes to the next school year. Lucero said unless younger students are approved for the COVID-19 vaccine  which would be a game-changer, she said  remote learning is likely to be an option in the fall. Older students, who have had the opportunity to get the vaccine, are not part of that proposal. If online is on the table, Stamford could partner with other school districts, like Norwalk or Bridgeport, to provide it  though those discussions are very tentative, said Amy Beldotti, associate superintendent for teaching and learning. And families shouldnt count on that option: The state Department of Education told public school districts in April that they will not be required to provide remote learning in the fall. As of the first week in June, no districts were fully remote: About 86 percent offered a fully in-person option, while close to 14 percent were operating on a hybrid model, according to the most recent state data. Many students still chose full-time remote learning. Next year in Torrington, Superintendent Susan Lubomski said the local schools will be open 100 percent in person. The district is drafting a plan to release publicly next week, but vaccines will not be required and classes will return to their regular sizes. Greenwich, like Torrington, is planning for in-person learning: Currently, we are planning for a full return in the fall with an environment much more similar to non-pandemic years, said Sasha Houlihan, a spokeswoman for the towns public schools. Should there be any continued requirements for social distancing, mask wearing, etc., we will be ready to safely return our students while adhering to local, state and federal requirements, as we did during this school year, she said. Health and safety protocols  Like Greenwich, most district are waiting on state agencies to decide what protocols should be in place for the fall reopening. As of now, the CDC continues to recommend several mitigation strategies, including masks, regular hand washing, and proper ventilation and cleaning. School officials in West Haven will keep part-time cleaners in place to maintain bathrooms and other high traffic areas, but they are also looking to the state for mask guidance. As of today, there is a mask requirement for staff and students inside school buildings, said Neil Cavallaro, the superintendent in West Haven, on Wednesday. That directive comes from the state. Im hopeful it will be lifted by the time we return to school in the fall.  In Brookfield, parents this week voiced concerns over their childrens mental health under what they called strict COVID protocols, including masks in the fall. Some said they intend to pull their kids from the public schools. It is my sincerest hope that we can get to a point where we are not wearing masks, Superintendent John Barile said at a school board meeting. Barile added he would not require masks in the fall unless state-mandated. Districts are also reassessing quarantine protocols. This fall in Trumbull, vaccinated students and staff will not have to quarantine after contact with COVID-19, Superintendent Martin Semmel said. And though younger students arent currently eligible for vaccination, elementary schools wont quarantine entire classes for positive cases either. Still, youth vaccinations appear to have leveled off, with 41 percent of the states 12- to 15-year-olds having received at least one dose. Dr. Daniel Gottschall, vice president of medical affairs for the Fairfield region of Hartford HealthCare and St. Vincents Medical Center in Bridgeport, told Hearst Connecticut Media earlier this month there could be pockets of COVID-19 cases in adolescents, especially as more children return to in-person classes this fall. Making up for lost time  While they plan for health and safety, districts are also looking to make up for lost classroom time this fall. Westport public schools released a draft of its proposed reopening plan for next year, which includes opportunities for more hours of learning. Sixth through eighth graders can take advantage of Staples Math Honors Societys remote and in-person math tutoring, or teacher-led individual and small group sessions Monday through Thursday. For high schoolers, the district is adding a writing lab and expanding its current math lab to include before and after school tutoring, as well as teacher support, the plan outlines. Apart from academic support, schools are also introducing programs focused on student well-being. Bridgeport Public Schools could spend $1.5 million in federal funds next year on a mental and behavioral health service that includes professional development and 35 days of coaching, monthly sessions and observations for a select group of teachers. Some students in need of clinical support can take advantage of daily group therapy, weekly individual therapy, bi-weekly family therapy, in-person and remote monthly parent support groups and urgent crisis intervention. At the state level, the education department has prioritized social-emotional learning through several initiatives, including the Social Emotional Learning Hub, a free and interactive web page of digital resources, and a free student well-being assessment. And though most districts are expecting to be in-person, many are considering technologys role in the fall. Danbury schools are exploring how to use technology moving forward, which could include virtual after-school programs, said Kara Casimiro, the director of teaching and learning. Its really all about the balance of the virtual use, Casimiro said. I think we were at a point where the pendulum had swung so severely. Its really about where can we instill innovative practice in our teaching and learning environments that maximize what were trying to do, using the digital technology that weve now become familiar with.  Staff writers Amanda Cuda, Donald Eng, Currie Engel, Ethan Fry, Brian Gioiele, Ignacio Laguarda, Justin Papp, Julia Perkins and Brian Zahn contributed to this report.