Westport Coronavirus: Schools Start Distance Learning Tuesday

WESTPORT, CT — As the world continues to grapple with the new coronavirus (COVID-19), Westport Public Schools will begin distance learning efforts on Tuesday, March 17, announced Anthony Buono, the district's assistant superintendent for Teaching and Learning.

"As we transition to distance learning, daily assignments will be posted by teachers and assignments will be required work for students," Buono said in an email to families on Monday. "Teachers will be communicating with students daily, providing assignments, guidance, and support. Ongoing feedback will be shared with students and will contribute to their class or course grades."

The district's distance learning guidelines can be downloaded here.

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Westport schools have been closed since March 12, and the move to distance learning will begin just over a week before the expected date when schools will reopen on March 26. District officials will monitor the COVID-19 situation with health officials before reopening the schools, and all of the facilities will undergo a deep cleaning regimen before students and staff return.

More than two-dozen people in Connecticut have tested positive for COVID-19, according to the Westport Weston Health District, and Gov. Ned Lamont ordered all restaurants to stop dine-in service by Monday night, and only offer take-out or delivery orders.

Below is Buono's distance learning announcement, and click here for the latest announcements from the district concerning COVID-19:

Dear Westport Families,

During the past few weeks, in preparation for the possibility of school closing due to COVID-19, our faculty developed self-directed enrichment opportunities for students. This supplemental learning material was presented through hard copies, posted to Schoology or available on Google Sites.

These learning opportunities were designed to reinforce previously learned concepts, practice established skills, preview upcoming curriculum and keep students intellectually active in advance of a return to school. As indicated in the superintendent’s March 13th letter, the district is transitioning from a supplemental approach to a distance learning model beginning this coming Tuesday, March 17th.

As we transition to distance learning, daily assignments will be posted by teachers and assignments will be required work for students. Teachers will be communicating with students daily, providing assignments, guidance, and support. Ongoing feedback will be shared with students and will contribute to their class or course grades.

Attached is a document with detailed information regarding Westport’s Distance Learning Plan. Although this document provides a significant amount of information, we recognize that we are in the midst of a fluid situation that will likely require modifications and adjustments - particularly if school is closed for a lengthy period of time.

Thank you for your ongoing support and flexibility during this challenging time. Together, I am confident we will be able to ensure the safety of our students, staff, and community, as well as provide our students with a strong distance learning program while schools are closed.

Respectfully yours,

Anthony Buono, Ph.D.
Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning

Distance Learning Guidelines for Families 3.16 (1).pdf