Greenwich High Starts Holiday Break Early As COVID Cases Increase

GREENWICH, CT — Greenwich High School students will begin their holiday break Wednesday, a couple days earlier than originally scheduled, due to "a sharp rise in COVID-19 positive cases" and other factors, according to district officials.

In a letter sent to families Tuesday night, Superintendent Toni Jones said the decision to start the school's December recess early this week was made in collaboration with the district's health advisors.

Greenwich High is the only school officially starting their break Wednesday, Jones said.

According to Jones, the district as a whole has reported 114 cases of the coronavirus since Monday, and many of those cases are from Greenwich High students and staff.

"We are sending this to the full district so that all families are aware that this issue is only impacting Greenwich High School as of this evening," the letter reads.

Jones also cited a shortage of non-teaching staff, including custodians, as another reason for the school's early closure this week.

"As a reminder, GPS does not have a remote learning option this year, per legislative action taken last year," the letter reads. "There were numerous attempts made over the past two days to gain permission from the Connecticut State Department of Education or [Gov. Ned Lamont] to allow us the decision-making power to be remote so that the days would count instructionally if needed. However, as of [Tuesday] evening, nothing has been granted."

Greenwich High was initially scheduled to begin their holiday break following an early release Thursday. According to Jones, the school will need to make up the two days missed at the end of the school year unless some sort of action is taken at the state level.

Greenwich High will be open from 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday for any student or staff who would like to grab items. All after school activities and practices for Wednesday and Thursday are canceled, Jones said.