Enfield Goes Back to Full Remote Learning For Next 2 Weeks

ENFIELD, CT — Staffing difficulties prompted by the increase in positive coronavirus cases in Enfield has caused school officials to revert to a full remote learning plan for the next two weeks.

Superintendent of Schools Chris Drezek announced the plan Friday evening, beginning Monday and continuing through Dec. 4. Plans are to return to the hybrid learning program on Dec. 7.

Drezek cited the "extreme stress of staffing the buildings, the dramatic increase in cases in Enfield, the potential lack of bus drivers and the upcoming holiday" as factors in the decision to revert to distance learning.

As of Thursday, Enfield has moved into the "red zone" of coronavirus standards, attributed to towns with 15 or more positive cases per 100,000 residents. Enfield has a 23.8 positive case rate.

Below is a letter Drezek sent to school personnel, parents and families Friday night:

Good evening,

This is Chris Drezek, Superintendent of the Enfield Public Schools with a message for the students, parents and staff of the Enfield Public Schools.

At the close of school today, the district will be moving to a completely remote learning program beginning Monday, November 23rd through Friday, December 4th, with a hope to return to our hybrid program on Monday, December 7th.

If I need to extend our virtual plan beyond the 7th I will let everyone know as soon as possible. The extreme stress of staffing the buildings, the dramatic increase in cases in Enfield, the potential lack of bus drivers and the upcoming holiday have made this decision inevitable.

Although this message is disappointing to send, I can share that it was not unexpected. I’ve tried to communicate since the beginning that my main goal was to keep our kids in person as long as I could, and that hasn’t changed. However, the lack of adult supervision has made it impossible to keep our buildings safely opened at this moment.

I remain hopeful that this is just another temporary setback, but the safety of our students and staff is and will always be my top priority. Your child’s principal will be sending remote schedules home to you shortly, and any school specific questions should be directed to your child’s principal.

I understand that this a difficult call to receive, and I can assure you it’s a difficult call to make, but the health and safety of our students and staff will always be my highest priority. I hope that you all take time next week to celebrate the holiday with your families (even if it’s virtually) and enjoy a much-needed break. Thank you and have a nice weekend.

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