Coronavirus Enfield: Schools, Some Buildings Close Amid Concerns

ENFIELD, CT — Enfield schools, the libraries, the senior center and the local recreation departments will be closing at 5 p.m. Thursday and remain closed indefinitely.

The schools announcement was made at about 6 p.m. Thursday. School officials termed the closures "indefinite" and "effective immediately."

Enfield Superintendent of Schools Chris Drezek said, "This message is going out to all parents, staff, and students of the Enfield Public Schools. After consultation with our Local Health Director and the Town Manager, I have decided that all Enfield Public Schools and offices will be closed indefinitely effective today, Thursday, March 12, 2020.

"By now, most students should have their distance learning packets. I have requested a waiver so that in the event of an extended school closure, our distance learning plan would count as actual school days. As of right now, I have not received a decision regarding our request, so for Friday, March 13, the district does not expect students to begin working on their distance learning packets, and teachers will not be required to be available to assist students remotely. I will send an update tomorrow on the expectations regarding our distance learning plan. For any students who do not have their distance learning packets, parents can come to our central office (1010 Enfield Street, the former Alcorn School) until 8:00 p.m. tonight or tomorrow, Friday, March 13, between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. to pick up those materials.

"As the Commissioner of Education told all Connecticut Superintendents a few moments ago, none of us were trained on how to deal with a pandemic in our graduate programs, so everyone is doing the best we can for our children and families during this unprecedented time. I want to thank you all for your patience and understanding during this difficult time. Please know that the safety and well-being of our children and staff is our highest priority, and every decision I make will be with this in mind," Enfield school officials said.

In a prepared statement, Town Manager Christopher W. Bromson said, "After receiving updates and in consultation with Patrice Sulik, the Director of the North Central District Health Department, Chris Drezek, the Superintendent of Enfield Public Schools, Mayor Michael Ludwick and the Enfield Town Council, our Emergency Management Director Steve Hall, and other Town Government officials, the Town Manager has issued a Declaration of State of Emergency pursuant to the Governor’s Declaration of Public Health Emergency on March 10, 2020."

"In the interest of public safety and public health and in consultation with the same officials, the Town of Enfield will be closing the Central Library, Pearl Street Library, Senior Center and Recreation Department indefinitely to help minimize the spread of the COVID 19 virus. This will be effective as of 5 PM Thursday, March 12, 2020. All three of these facilities are popular gathering points for people in the community, especially those that are most vulnerable to the virus." (To register for free Enfield news alerts and more, click here.)

"The library is enhancing its collection of eBooks and downloadable audiobooks through the Overdrive and Hoopla platforms so that material will still be available remotely. Reference and research services will still be available by emailing libraryquestion@enfield.org. Library patrons are welcome to return books to the book drop, but if they choose not to, they will not be charged fines.

"Meals on Wheels will continue to be run out of the Senior Center for as long as CRT is able to provide the meals. We are working on a “grab and go” system for residents who usually take advantage of CRT’s congregate meals. If you currently use this service, please call the Senior Center at 860-763-7425 for more details.

"Lastly, if you are able to conduct your town business remotely, please strive to do so. Please visit our website: www.enfield-ct.gov or call (860) 253-6300 to see if you can do your business remotely.

"While we know these actions will cause some concern and inconvenience, we have a responsibility and obligation to protect both our residents and employees from the COVID-19 virus. As the situation evolves and more information becomes available, we will update and disseminate that information through our social media and press releases. Please continue to check our website, follow us at Enfield Town Manager and Enfield Emergency Management on Facebook and @EnfieldTM on Twitter. We thank you in advance for your patience, understanding, and cooperation."