Coronavirus Greenwich: Private Schools To Hold Remote Learning

GREENWICH, CT — While Greenwich Public Schools remain open as of Wednesday afternoon, a few private schools in town have announced they will hold "remote" or "distance" learning days this week before students head off for spring break. The announcements come as the state, and the nation, grapples with the new coronavirus.

As of Wednesday, two cases of the COVID-19 virus have been diagnosed in Connecticut, however none have been reported in Greenwich. (Don't miss updates in Connecticut concerning the Coronavirus as they are announced. Sign up for Patch news alerts and newsletters.)

According to the Greenwich Academy website, Thursday will be a will be a "remote learning school day" for students. Friday will be the first day of spring break for students and a professional day for faculty and staff.

The school will run all after-school activities, including athletics and its "Frozen Jr.," musical, the performance of which has been moved from Thursday evening to Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the Massey Theater.

"We look forward to reopening after spring break on Monday, March 30, and will be in touch with families to confirm the return to school towards the end of the second week of break," school officials said in a statement.

At Sacred Heart Greenwich, the school will institute "distance learning" for all students on both Thursday and Friday, during which students will remain at home and not report to campus. Instead, they will participate in virtual learning from home.

The school will remain open for faculty and staff to lead virtual learning on both days, but no students will be on campus. All after-school activities will also be cancelled, including athletics.

A similar policy has been put in place at Brunswick School, where a "distance learning test" will take place. Students reported to school on Wednesday, however school officials said students will "leave at day's end with all necessary school materials for remote learning."

Student will also be asked to clean out both their academic and athletic lockers before leaving school Wednesday.

On Thursday and Friday, students will not come to school and will learn remotely from home.

"Each division will follow its remote learning protocol as a test to the system and procedures we have put in place," the school's website reads.

Each division will hold faculty meetings Friday to review the success of Thursday's remote learning day.

"Each division will work to put in place any remediation necessary should we have to operate remotely upon our return from break," the website reads.

Further information and updates regarding each school's response to the virus can be found on their respective websites.

See also: Greenwich First Selectman Provides Update On Coronavirus

• Coronavirus Greenwich: Public Schools Suspend Out Of State Travel

COVID-19 is caused by a member of the coronavirus family that's a close cousin to the SARS and MERS viruses that have caused outbreaks in the past.

As of Wednesday afternoon, two Connecticut residents and two hospital employees have tested positive for the virus, now referred to as COVID-19. One Wilton resident tested positive on Sunday, and the second Connecticut resident to test positive is a Bethlehem woman who is a heath care worker at Bridgeport Hospital, officials said.

The two hospital employees are New York residents and work at Danbury, Norwalk and Bridgeport hospitals. The state lab so far has tested 56 individuals, with 54 negative results.