Governor Ned Lamont announced Tuesday, May 5th that all in-person classes are going to be canceled for the rest of the school year. Distance learning will continue for the rest of the year for grades kindergarten through grade 12. Along with continuation of distance learning, schools are still required to give students meals who are part of the breakfast and lunch programs.
Lamont is currently consulting with state and local education officials about if summer school should continue as planned. Although it is unclear, the governor plans on providing more information towards the end of the month. Child care still continues to remain open in Connecticut and summer camps in the state will reopen on June 29th with appropriate coronavirus precautions, said Beth Bye, Commissioner of the Office of Early Childhood.
“I know how important it is for so many students and teachers to finish out the school year, and I was holding out hope, but given the current circumstances and to protect everyone’s safety, it has become clear that it’s just not possible.” Lamont said in a statement.
As of right now, Lamont is looking for two straight weeks of a decline of hospitalizations before reconsidering reopening Connecticut. All schools are expected to continue with the distance learning and the state Department of Education is working closely with every school district to determine what additional needs they may have.
“We understand the emotion and sadness regarding closing schools and missing certain milestones and celebrations, but at this time, everyone’s top priority must be to protect the health of students and staff, and to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus,” said CEA President Jeff Leake.
Education Commissioner Miguel Cardonna says that the department is focused on working to get students back to school in a safe way in the fall.
