Milford Schools Update 3 Options For Learning In The Fall

MILFORD, CT — Milford Superintendent of Schools Anna M. Cutaia shared several important updates with parents concerning high school graduations, summer school, and what school may look like in the fall.

Here's her full letter to parents and staff:

Dear Milford Public Schools Staff and Parents/Guardians,

I hope this letter finds you well and persevering forward. Today’s letter has been prepared as a ‘check-in.’ I understand there is a need for answers to questions that are on all of our minds. Thank you for your patience as we press through the decision making process, oftentimes with incomplete and/or changing information.

Our goal is always to do what is best for our young people and our community.

On Monday, May 18, 2020, Governor Lamont issued Executive Order 7PP, which addressed a
number of pertinent issues for our planning moving forward. Most notable is the extension of the
limitation of gatherings to 5 people or less through June 20th. This one factor impacts several of the projects and processes we are actively working on (see individual sections below).

In addition, we also received some supplemental guidance from Connecticut Department of
Education Commissioner Miguel Cardona, specifically regarding graduations. Please see below.

High School Graduations
As shared in my letter on May 8th, we are working to respect, honor, and celebrate our Senior high
school students. Our high school administrators are working with groups of Seniors, parents, and
teachers to ensure our planning is reflective of their input and allows us to customize an event that is just right for our Milford community. With that said, Commissioner Cardona provided some additional guidance last Thursday on graduation ceremonies, specifically,

Due to the significant ongoing public health concerns relating to the coronavirus, the Connecticut State Departments of Education (CSDE) and Public Health (DPH) remind you that any in-person gathering to commemorate student graduation in May or June must be consistent with the applicable Executive Orders restricting social and recreational gatherings (including community events and similar activities) and use of face coverings. Executive Order No. 7X, which is currently in ef ect, prohibits social and recreational gatherings of more than five people. Any district choosing to hold creative variations of outdoor gatherings for graduations that involve any in-person congregation must receive approval from their local health department.

It is our responsibility to uphold all health and safety orders put in place by state and local officials in order to prevent any future spread of this pandemic virus. That said, we continue to work with our local health department to determine the safest high school graduation ceremony within the executive orders issued by the Governor and with the guidance provided by the Commissioner of Education. While the guidance does not address the months of July or August, we are not certain what executive orders will allow regarding gathering size. Therefore, we will prepare for various possibilities. I hope to have more concrete information about our graduation ceremonies next week.

Summer School
Per guidance in the Governor’s Executive Order, 7PP, “All summer school programs ... shall not begin operations until July 6, 2020.” The Order goes on to state, “The Commissioner of Education, in consultation with public health experts and the Reopen Connecticut Subcommittee on PreK-12
Education, shall issue guidance on the limited operation of summer school programs that are
permitted to engage in-person classes after that date, and may issue any implementing order he deems necessary consistent with this order and with his associated guidance document.” Upon receiving this additional guidance, Milford Public Schools will share its plans for summer school, including extended school year. We are currently planning for all summer school possibilities (ie., in-person learning and virtual learning).

2020-2021 School Year
The topic that is on everyone’s mind is that of next school year. Milford Public Schools is planning for various alternatives which include 1-in-person learning back in our school buildings, 2-a hybrid of in-person and virtual learning, or 3-a full virtual learning environment. We will be required to abide by any and all executive orders issued by the Governor and guidance by the Connecticut State Department of Education regarding the 2020-2021 school year. At this time, we have not received this information and therefore do not have an update for you. In the meantime, our team (as most districts across the state of Connecticut) is preparing for all three scenarios.

As always, I thank you for your continued patience and flexibility while we continue to work on these complex and critical matters. Health and safety are our first priority. Feel free to contact us with questions/concerns.
Take good care,

Anna M. Cutaia, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools