Half-Day Fridays OK'd By Education Board

EAST HAVEN, CT — What amounts to 13 Friday afternoons between now and the end of the school year, the East Haven Board of Education approved half-days where kids work on learning and projects at home virtually, while teachers get a professional development half day.

Schools assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction Jennifer Murrihy explained in the board of ed meeting Wednesday that the “flex days,” or early release Fridays will provide “time for students to continue to engage in virtual learning activities while faculty engages in teacher directed personalized directed learning.”

She said many surrounding school districts “have flex time in their calendars.” She said she spoke with the state education department chief academic officer who supports the measure.

“Although it is still learning time for the students,” Murrihy said, the half day allows for teachers to remain in the building where they could “reach out to families as needed, schedule time for student engagement and professional learning.”

The board agreed to the revised calendar with one voting against saying kids need more, not less, time with teachers.

“I’m totally opposed to this. Our administration and the taxpayers of this town have spent a lot of time and money and time on providing a safe in person environment,” Tom Hennessy said. “We need our students with our teachers more not less. This is not a good move.”

“They need to be with their teacher,” he said.

While the district plans to provide extended day supports for those learners and families that need help, the flex day, Murrihy said the plan, “Affords the teachers the time to meet the demands of teaching in this remote environment” as the district promises to focused on the “needs of early learners” on those half days.

Board vice-chair Patrica "Tia" DePalma, a former longtime teacher, disagreed with Hennessy. The reason for this we’re in a pandemic. I've been a teacher for 35 years this isn't for giving teachers time off. Teachers need to be able to be at their best. Teachers need this time. This is not normal circumstances. This is a pandemic.”