Vernon Elementary Students Heading Back To School Full-Time

VERNON, CT — Elementary school students in Vernon will be back in their respective buildings on a full-time basis in two weeks.

The local board of education endorsed the Oct. 13 five-day-per-week re-start Monday. Vernon Superintendent of Schools Joseph Macary said Tuesday morning the decision was made with relative confidence.

"If we don't do it now, when will we?" he said.

The five days will be full days with mask breaks, he said. The strict limited access policy for non-staffers will remain in effect for the elementary buildings, Macary added.

Meanwhile, Vernon Center Middle School and Rockville High School will continue with their hybrid schedules. Some "tweaking" will be in order but exactly what will be done has yet to be determined, he said.

One impetus for the elementary school students going back full-time is what Macary called a "huge learning loss" in kindergarten, first grade and second grade. Younger students need the hands-on experience, he added.

There have been zero confirmed coronavirus cases in the Vernon public school system since the 2020-21 academic year began in late August.