Milford Back-To-School Plans: Delayed Return Likely For Students

MILFORD, CT — Will there be a full return to the classroom this fall, a hybrid approach or a distance learning only program? The answer is yes to all three when it comes to planning purposes for school leaders across the state including Milford.

It's not easy being a top school official or a staff member, parent and or student in 2020. We're about one month from what will be the beginning of a new school year and no one really knows anything for certain at this time.

Milford Superintendent of Schools Anna Cutaia said the state is mandating school districts plan and assume there will be a full return to school in the fall. But they also need to plan for contingency plans including a hybrid schedule where students return to school for a couple of days and learn from home for a couple of days. Plans must also include an online-learning only program in case the state's coronavirus infection rate suddenly spikes.

Cutaia said she can only image how stressful it is for everyone involved, especially with their being so many unknowns. She said the "number one priority" in any plan will be the safety of students and staff.

She said she won't rush to reopen school unless its 100 percent safe. She urged parents to start to plan for all three potential scenarios especially if there are potential impacts to work and childcare.

First day of school

Cutaia said she is hoping to secure Board of Education approval Monday night (July 27) to have the first day for staff be Aug. 31 and students wouldn't start school until Sept. 8, which is the day after Labor Day.

What would a full return to school look like?

Every inch of space in the school buildings would be utilized to ensure proper social-distancing measures are enacted. The average class size would be around 20 students but some classes could only hold 16 pupils because strict social-distancing standards need to be enforced.

Quite possibly, a reduced class size could result in the need to hire more staff which would result in budgetary impacts, Cutaia said.

"We must social distance by six feet in all classrooms," Cutaia said.

She said students will be kept together in cohorts which will be easy at the elementary level, more challenging at the middle school and very difficult at the high school where students select more electives.

Cutaia was adamant that students would receive art, music and physical education services but the staff would come to the students. All clubs would be put on hold and there would be no visitors or volunteers coming into schools.

Plexiglas would be installed in high traffic areas where social distancing could not safely be maintained.

Masks

Cutaia said masks will be required to be worn in school by all students and staff. All students will be given two cloth masks at the start of the year and if a student comes to school without a mask then they will be given one to wear.

She said "mask breaks" will be held and only when social-distancing rules can be followed. She added there will be a ton of cleaning occurring, which could result in the need for more custodians.

Lunch and recess

Students will still be afforded the food service program, but they'll eat in their rooms and not in the cafeteria. Recess will also still happen but a finalized plan is still needed, Cutaia said.

Buses and parent drop off

About half of Milford's parents have indicated they plan to drive their children to school. Busing will still be offered to students. Cutaia said its likely that parents will be required to drop their children off 20 minutes after buses do. The district will need to hire bus monitors.

Academics

If online learning is needed, Milford plans to invest in the "premium package" for Google Classroom, which would improve the learning experience.

Survey to parents

In early August, parents will receive a survey asking whether they plan on a return to the classroom full-time or prefer distance learning. Cutaia said parents can change their minds.

Other news and notes

Orientation videos will be sent to families as there won't be an opportunity to visit your school prior to the start of the year. Students will not be required to have their temperature taken or take a COVID-19 test before returning to school.

Cutaia said choral, band, music, tech education, culinary and science labs are all expected to offered if students return to school. Physical education will be offered outdoors and if there is a need to be indoors it will likely turn into a health instruction class.