Third and Fourth Grade Students to Shift to Fully In-Person Learning on Oct. 12
WESTPORT — The Westport Community Schools would like to provide an update on the status of the district’s 2020-21 school year plan.
Since the school year began on Sept.16, pre-K/pre-school, kindergarten and first grade students at the Alice A. Macomber Primary School have been taking part in fully in-person learning.
“Students have been doing a terrific job following all of the protocols and procedures we have put in place for the start of the new school year,” Macomber Principal Cheryl Greeson said. “They have been following social distancing guidelines, washing their hands, wearing masks and more in order to stop the spread of COVID-19.”
Second grade students at the school returned to fully in-person learning on Sept. 28.
The district has also decided to shift third and fourth grade students at Westport Elementary School to fully in-person learning on Monday, Oct. 12, following approval of the Westport School Committee and Westport Board of Health. Students at the school have been engaging in remote learning since the school year began.
The district’s leadership team has been meeting with members of the Westport Board of Health since the school year began, making sure school buildings are safe to house students on a fully in-person basis.
Modifications that have been made to the Westport Elementary School in preparation for students returning full-time include:
- HEPA purifiers have been installed throughout the building
- Social distancing stickers have been placed throughout the building
- Cleaning protocols, including disinfecting between classes, will be in place
- Bus accommodations will ensure safe social distancing
- Grab-and-go lunches will be served to ensure both safety and proper nutrition
- Nursing protocols, in the event of a sick staff member or student, will be followed
- HVAC ventilation cleaning and disinfecting procedures will take place
- Additional personnel to clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces will be used
Third and fourth grade students will be following similar health and safety protocols as Macomber students when they return to school. This includes following strict social distancing, hand washing/sanitizing, mask wearing and more. Modifications will be made to the school lunch process, recess, bathroom usage procedures and pick-up/drop-off.
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