Norwalk Officials Question Public Schools' Summer School Plans

NORWALK, CT — A plan announced on Friday for Norwalk Public Schools to hold in-person summer school classes this year, in light of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, was met with swift objections from Mayor Harry Rilling and other officials.

As outlined by the school district, summer school courses will run from July 6 through Aug. 7, and will include "both distance learning and in-person options," according to school officials.

"As part of the 'ReOpen Connecticut' plan, Governor Lamont has issued guidance allowing in-person summer school classes to start on Monday, July 6," school officials wrote. "With that in mind, the district has designed summer instruction options that will include both distance learning and in-person options. Summer Academy is available for students in grades K-8 who need extra support in reading and math. High school students will be able to turn 'incompletes' into a pass/fail grade or take classes for credit recovery. Extended School Year (ESY) options will also be available for eligible students with disabilities."

For students who are part of the in-person option, face masks will be mandatory while students are on campus or on buses, unless a student is exempt for medical reasons. Additionally, class sizes will be limited to allow for adequate social distancing.

Facilities will be cleaned regularly, and the temperatures of students and staff will be checked.

"Norwalk Public Schools has been closely monitoring all guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the State of Connecticut during the COVID-19 coronavirus crisis, as well as working with the Norwalk Health Department," school officials wrote. "As we plan for a return to in-person classes, the health and safety of students and staff will remain our primary focus."

In a statement, Rilling blasted the district for not consulting with city officials before putting out a summer school plan.

"I was shocked to see a summer learning update from Norwalk Public Schools today that goes against the current recommendations of the Norwalk Health Department and medical adviser to NPS," Rilling said. "These public health professionals expressed concern about whether a safe in-person summer school is possible in Norwalk. I specifically asked NPS to coordinate and share a detailed safety plan for review by health and safety experts prior to distributing information to parents. More details are required than simply saying temperature checks will happen and face masks will be worn. It is misleading to present options that have not yet been approved or vetted by anyone outside of the school district. It was irresponsible to share information before medical experts could sign-off on a plan that will protect the health and safety of students and staff. I remind Dr. Adamowski and his staff that Norwalk Public Schools is not an island unto itself. They are part of our city, and quite frankly, are being reckless with their approach to summer school."

Added Dr. Norman J. Weinberger, a Pediatrician and Medical Adviser to Norwalk Public Schools, "As the Medical Adviser of the Norwalk Public Schools for more than three decades and a Board member of the Norwalk Health Department, I have some grave concerns about the opening of Norwalk Public School's summer school prematurely. For me, the health of our children is our number one priority. In light of the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, along with the State of Connecticut and the American Academy of Pediatrics for safe openings of schools, I am raising questions related to adequate preparation to ensure the safety and health of our children during this coronavirus pandemic. Are we in Norwalk adequately prepared?"

The district said that as it monitors the pandemic, its plans for summer school might change based on updated health and safety protocols at that time. But parents of children who qualify for summer school will begin receiving more information on the plans next week.

"I was disappointed to learn NPS is moving ahead with plans for in-person summer school," said Norwalk Health Department Director Deanna D'Amore. "I speak frequently with my colleagues across the state, and many similar communities to Norwalk, like New Haven and Danbury, are planning for online-only summer school. Dr. Weinberger and I met with leadership of Norwalk Public Schools earlier this week, and we recommended that it was too early to anticipate a return to in-person instruction. In addition to making sure the timing is correct, there also needs to be a detailed plan in place reviewed and approved by health experts to ensure students and teachers will not be put at-risk. That plan has yet to be shared with the Norwalk Health Department."