Groton school district shifts to distance learning this week, amid an increase in COVID-19 cases after the holidays
Groton — The school system is shifting to full distance learning this week, after school officials saw an increase in COVID-19 cases after the holidays, said Superintendent Susan Austin.
Austin said the school district previously had followed the full distance learning model from Jan. 4 to 8, the week after the holidays. School officials received information even during that period about positive COVID-19 cases.
The district resumed hybrid learning last week, but it became very difficult to staff the buildings amid multiple positive COVID-19 cases with multiple contacts, she said.
The district then saw an uptick in cases last Friday and over the weekend.
"This weekend, Groton Public Schools has had multiple positive cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) with numerous contacts reported to administrators at Fitch High School, Groton Middle School, Catherine Kolnaski Magnet School, and Charles Barnum Elementary School," Austin wrote in a notification Sunday to parents, guardians and staff. "We have collaborated with Ledge Light Health District to determine and have already notified the close contacts. The affected individuals have been instructed to isolate at home following public health guidelines."
On Monday the school system reported an additional case at Claude Chester Elementary School.
Austin said she hopes to resume hybrid learning next week and is watching the situation with Ledge Light Health District. She said the situation needs to be monitored on a day-to-day basis.
According to data released by Ledge Light on Friday, Groton had 364 new positive COVID-19 cases from Dec. 27 to Jan. 9. During that two-week period, 8% of antigen and molecular tests were positive.
Stories that may interest you
Griswold group making masks a priority throughout the pandemic
Recipients of the masks and caps include hospitals, nursing homes, schools, fire stations and police departments in Connecticut and Massachusetts.
Tossing Lines: When trees attack
I do know from recent personal experience that when a tree falls on a house, it most certainly makes a sound. A hideous, indescribable sound.
Groton City's proposed budget to go to public hearing on April 19
City of Groton Mayor Keith Hedrick is proposing a fiscal year 2022 budget that holds the tax rate at its current level of 4.3 mills.
UPDATED: Stonington begins considering creation of cultural districts
Wendy Bury, the executive director of the Cultural Coalition, outlined an opportunity Tuesday for the town to form a designated cultural district that she said would provide a host of benefits for the community.
All of our stories about the coronavirus are being provided free of charge as a service to the public. You can find all of our stories here.
You can support local journalism by subscribing to The Day.
READER COMMENTS