New Canaan Public Schools Delaying Opening For Coronavirus Prep

NEW CANAAN, CT — The New Canaan Public School system is opening on a two-hour delay Monday morning to allow officials to continue to prepare for a potential long-term closure related to the new coronavirus, Superintendent Dr. Bryan Luizzi announced.

In a letter to parents and staff Sunday, Luizzi discussed the steps the district has taken, and is prepared to take, to avoid an outbreak of COVID-19, the new coronavirus that is spreading in the United States. Connecticut had its first confirmed case at the end of last week; and over the weekend, a Wilton man tested positive for the virus.

"Although the presumed positive case of COVID-19 is NOT in New Canaan and will NOT directly impact the operation of the New Canaan Public Schools, we nonetheless are committed to continuing our preparations in the event something does occur in our community that requires us to close for a prolonged period of time," Luizzi wrote.

During Monday morning's delay, staff members were preparing materials for students to take home in case future school closings were needed.

Luizzi stressed that the district has not yet reached the point of needing to close schools.

"Once again, I want to stress that we are NOT going into a closure at this time and we are NOT aware of any confirmed cases of COVID-19 in New Canaan," Luizzi said. "We are running a two (2) hour delay schedule in order to prepare should a closure become necessary in the future."

Below is the text of Luizzi's March 8 letter:

Dear NCPS Community,

As you are likely aware, this weekend the first presumed case of COVID-19 appeared in Connecticut. Even before the news broke, we spent the weekend thoroughly cleaning our schools, ensuring that all water fountains are turned off, and we have asked DATTCO to perform a thorough cleaning on our buses prior to loading students on Monday. Additionally, as I wrote on Friday, we have suspended all out of state field trips at this time.

Although the presumed positive case of COVID-19 is NOT in New Canaan and will NOT directly impact the operation of the New Canaan Public Schools, we nonetheless are committed to continuing our preparations in the event something does occur in our community that requires us to close for a prolonged period of time.

Last week, we took the necessary steps to ensure all teachers could provide continuity of education for every student in the event of a long-duration closure. Our next step in these preparations is to organize and distribute materials for students to bring home in the event of a long-duration closure and to test our communications systems between classroom and student/parent.

To provide the necessary time and coordination to prepare student materials for distribution, the New Canaan Public Schools will open on a two (2) hour delay schedule tomorrow, 3/9/20, and we will follow our typical two-hour delay schedule at all schools.

During these two hours, our teachers and staff district-wide will work together to prepare materials for students to take home at the end of the day. For our elementary students, these materials will likely include books, math manipulatives, Fundations boards, etc. In the middle and high school, materials will be subject specific by each teacher. While we know a two (2) hour delay can be somewhat disruptive for families, schools in NJ, NY, and Connecticut are being advised to prepare for this possible scenario, and this necessary step will help ensure that we are prepared for whatever may come in the days and weeks ahead.

As I mentioned in my letter on Friday, if you have a technological need please let your building principal know as soon as you can, and we will work together to ensure everyone is prepared if it becomes necessary for us to close.

Once again, I want to stress that we are NOT going into a closure at this time and we are NOT aware of any confirmed cases of COVID-19 in New Canaan. We are running a two (2) hour delay schedule in order to prepare should a closure become necessary in the future.

The uncertainty of this situation can be stressful for children, parents, teachers, staff – and, frankly, superintendents. By preparing well, communicating clearly, and supporting one another, our wonderful school community will, once again, rise to the challenge and successfully navigate whatever lies ahead.

My very best,
Bryan D. Luizzi, Ed. D.
Superintendent of Schools
New Canaan Public Schools