• Bridgeport Public Schools

    October 30, 2020

    Hello Bridgeport Public Schools Community,

    The Bridgeport Public Schools priority since we have reopened our schools has been the health and safety of our students and staff. In the past few weeks, Bridgeport Public Schools have experienced a rising number of positive cases of COVID-19 which have caused school closures across the district.

       To date, our positive cases have been a result of the rapid surge in cases in the Bridgeport community. We evaluate each situation on a case by case basis to determine the need for building closure to allow for contact tracing and sanitizing. We have acted with an abundance of caution in every reported case of COVID-19, which has resulted in the closing of several schools over the last 7 days. Since even one positive case may require several staff members who may have been in close contact with the affected individual to quarantine for 14 days, we have faced significant challenges to properly staff our schools.

       I have consulted with Lisa Morrissey, Director of the Bridgeport Department of Public Health, and it has been deemed best to transition to our hybrid model for all of the Bridgeport Public Schools sooner than we had anticipated. In the interest of the health and safety of our students and staff, as of November 9th, we will be operating on a hybrid schedule for K-8 schools. Pre-K students will be allowed to attend full time. We will operate on a half day schedule on Wednesdays to allow teachers time for preparation and professional development.

    The hybrid schedule will be as follows:

    • All students with the last name beginning in the letters A-L will attend Monday and Tuesday
    • All students with the last name beginning in the letters M-Z will attend Thursday and Friday
    • All students will be on remote learning on Wednesday

    Monday

    Tuesday

    Wednesday

    Thursday

    Friday

    Students Last Nam A-L in School

    M-Z Remote

    Students Last Name A-L in School

    M-Z Remote

    All Student Groups Remote Learning with Teachers

    Students Last Name M-Z in School

    A-L Remote

    Students Last Name M-Z in School

    A-L Remote

    Hybrid Schedule for students with an IEP/504

    • All students with an IEP/504 may attend all 4 days

    Monday

    Tuesday

    Wednesday

    Thursday

    Friday

    ALL Students

    with IEP

    ALL Students

    with IEP

    All Student Groups Remote Learning with Teachers

    ALL Students

    with IEP

    ALL Students

    with IEP

    Hybrid Schedule for ESL/Bilingual students

    • All students who receive ESL or Bilingual services may attend all 4 days

    Monday

    Tuesday

    Wednesday

    Thursday

    Friday

    ALL ESL/Bilingual Students

     

    ALL ESL/Bilingual Students

     

    All Student Groups Remote Learning with Teachers

    ALL ESL/Bilingual Students

     

    ALL ESL/Bilingual Students

     


       I understand this will pose challenges to many of our families, however, we must adjust as conditions change during this pandemic to continue to protect our students and staff members. Additionally, as the weather changes and the holiday season approaches, people will begin to gather indoors which can contribute to the spread of the coronavirus. Please be mindful that activities outside of school, such as holiday gatherings, do have an impact on our ability to keep everyone safe. We are asking for everyone to be diligent when planning indoor activities during the next several months, especially during the holiday season. 

       We are reminding everyone to continue to be responsible and follow all health and safety safeguards. It is important to wear a mask and maintain social distancing for all activities where you will be in contact with people outside of your immediate household. This includes family and friends who you do not live with. Students/Staff who have any symptoms of COVID-19 must stay home and should notify their school as soon as possible. We want everyone who is showing symptoms or has been in close contact with someone who is sick to be tested before returning to school/work.  Do not send students to school who have been exposed to a positive individual and are waiting for test results. We will continue to monitor the situation and keep you informed of changes or additional information. We will return to a full in person schedule sometime after the holidays.

    Sincerely,

    Michael J. Testani

    Superintendent of Schools