Choate Moving Classes Online Over Coronavirus Concerns

WALLINGFORD, CT — Choate Rosemary Hall in Wallingford is delaying the opening of school for the spring term and will conduct “remote learning” when students return in an effort to help prevent the spread of the new coronavirus, officials announced Wednesday morning. Students will have an extended spring break through March 24, while all “healthy, asymptomatic” faculty members will report to work as planned on March 23 to receive training on remote learning options, according to officials.

Remote learning will begin for students and faculty on March 25 and continue through at least April 3.

“Depending on the teacher and course, remote learning will include some combination of synchronous online teaching and learning via videoconferencing tools, asynchronous instruction through Canvas or other course management systems, and individual homework or other assignments that students complete on their own,” Choate Head of School Alex Curtis said in a statement on the school’s website. “More specific information about individual courses will be available on March 25, and teachers will of course make thoughtful decisions about what approach makes most sense for each course they teach given the shift to remote learning.”

Curtis said the school plans to begin its normal program on April 6 and hopes to open campus for boarding students on April 5. (Don't miss Connecticut coronavirus updates they are announced. Sign up for Patch news alerts and newsletters.)

“However, the COVID-19 situation changes daily, so we will continue to pay close attention and act nimbly in response to future changes and/or in response to the advice of local, state, and federal health and governmental agencies, adjusting our plans or extending the period of remote learning as needed,” Curtis said.

In addition to suspending all on-campus activities until April 6, Choate has suspended all school-sponsored travel and events on campus until at least that date.

“Also, as a precautionary measure, we will help as many school staff as possible to work from home,” Curtis said. “We hope these modifications to our operating procedures will safeguard our community and contribute to public health efforts.”