Coronavirus West Haven: Schools Closing, ND Moves Classes Online

WEST HAVEN, CT — Due to “increasing concerns” regarding the potential spread of the new coronavirus, West Haven Public Schools will be closed beginning March 16 until March 27, officials announced Thursday afternoon. Officials said they will re-evaluate as the return date gets closer.

The school district will enact its Emergency Meal Protocol for families who rely on schools for meals. The school lunch program will provide breakfast and lunch meals for students under the age of 18, under the guidance of the state Department of Education, as the district does for the Seamless Summer Option, officials said.

Notre Dame-West Haven previously announced it was suspending all in-person classes “out of an abundance of caution” and will conduct “virtual learning” for students beginning next week. Notre Dame is a private, all boys, Catholic high school in West Haven.

Officials said the school will remain open and conduct normally scheduled classes on March 12 and will begin virtual learning for all students on March 16.

“The health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff are of the utmost importance,” officials said in a statement on the school’s website. “As a result, Notre Dame High School is taking precautionary measures to help prevent the spread of the virus throughout our community. Out of an abundance of caution, we have made the decision to suspend all in-person classes.”

Prior to announcing the temporary closing of schools, West Haven Superintendent of Schools Neil C. Cavallaro said the district’s curriculum coordinators and some teaching staff are “developing learning packages with books and activities for students so we are prepared.”

“However, be aware that closing schools and providing distance learning opportunities will not automatically mean a waiver of the 180-school day requirement,” Cavallaro wrote in a letter to the school community on Wednesday. “All staff and students should, therefore, plan to be in attendance until late June, and even possibly during the Spring Recess (April 13-17), as necessary.

“In the coming days and weeks, there were many activities planned for both during and after school hours. All extracurricular events have been postponed indefinitely. We will make every effort possible to make them up, but there is no guarantee. Once again, we will follow the appropriate protocols, consult with city and state officials, and use the latest information available prior to making any decision.”

Cavallaro said individual schools will send out notification for specific events if and when they take place. The district’s facilities will be unavailable to outside groups after April 1, which Cavallaro said would allow the winter youth leagues to complete their seasons and “more importantly, give our custodial staff ample time to clean the buildings once the school day is completed.”

Administrators have requested that schools limit the use of drinking fountains. Students can use them in “extreme cases,” but Cavallaro said they are recommending that students bring bottled water or a water bottle filled at home. (To sign up for West Haven breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

“We will also be encouraging children to practice good hygiene by washing their hands, and limiting contact with others,” Cavallaro said.

West Haven has canceled all out-of-state field trips and those planned within Connecticut will be reviewed on a “case-by-case basis,” according to Cavallaro.

Notre Dame has also canceled all NDXL trips that were planned to New York, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Texas and Puerto Rico.