Petition Started Supporting Immediate Reopening Of Darien Schools

DARIEN, CT — An online petition has been started in Darien that calls on the school district to immediately reopen schools for in-person learning instead of returning to a hybrid model next week.

The district, which closed out 2020 with remote learning before the Christmas break, had planned to return to in-person learning Monday for elementary school students and hybrid learning for the rest.

But late last week, Schools Superintendent Alan Addley announced a change in plans to continue remote learning this week, writes the Darien Times. Addley cited information gleaned from discussions with medical advisors for the decision to delay the in-person reopening.

More than 125 people had signed the petition as of Monday evening, which states "there has been no evidence that [the coronavirus] is being spread in schools."

Addley plans to give an update on the situation this week. A message to Board of Education Chair David "Duke" Dineen seeking comment Monday was not immediately returned.

"Our children are suffering in the remote (and hybrid) learning settings," the petition reads. "Virtual learning is not working well for our youngest learners, and students of all ages are experiencing social, emotional, and even physical distress. We feel these known consequences far outweigh the risks of having them back in the building."

To view the petition click here.