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Valley Schools Take Steps To Protect Against Coronavirus

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Posted to: Ansonia, Derby, Seymour, Shelton, COVID-19 News & Announcements

Image from the CDC via Wikimedia Commons

This illustration, created at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), reveals ultrastructural morphology exhibited by coronaviruses.

The Valley’s reaction to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) amped up late Tuesday afternoon, with the City of Ansonia canceling ​“nonessential” city meetings, Seymour schools prepping parents on a ​“what if” scenario in terms of an extended school year, and Derby taking steps to limit the general public’s access to school buildings.

As of Tuesday, there were two confirmed COVID-19 cases in Connecticut. There are also two people who have the virus who worked in Connecticut but live in New York.

The local moves come after the CIAC announced it would be canceling all winter athletic tournaments for its member high schools, and shortly after Gov. Ned Lamont declared a public health emergency, “invoking two state laws that grant him broad powers to protect school children and prison inmates, fight price-gouging, and empower local health officials to enforce quarantines,” according to The CT Mirror.

The goal of everything happening is to possibly “mitigate transmission” of COVID-19, a respiratory illness which can be a serious risk to the elderly and/or people with existing health problems.

Public health officials said the precautions being taken are to protect the most vulnerable to the illness. The fear is that if the numbers grow too large, there could be a run that would overwhelm local hospitals and leave the most vulnerable with less than adequate care.

The cancellations this week are part of what’s called “flattening the curve,” and the website Vox published an explainer article Tuesday. Click here to read it.

The article notes:

What epidemiologists fear most is the health care system becoming overwhelmed by a sudden explosion of illness that requires more people to be hospitalized than it can handle. In that scenario, more people will die because there won’t be enough hospital beds or ventilators to keep them alive.

A disastrous inundation of hospitals can likely be averted with protective measures we’re now seeing more of — closing schools, canceling mass gatherings, working from home, self-quarantine, avoiding crowds — to keep the virus from spreading fast.

State health officials said that while just two people have tested positive, the actual number is probably much larger since testing so far has been limited. That fact is also playing into the government’s decision to limit events and to suggest that others do so.

The state also announced measures to get more people tested Tuesday.

ANSONIA

In Ansonia, city government, invoking “an abundance of caution,” opted to postpone non-essential municipal meetings, such as a Board of Aldermen meeting that had been scheduled for Tuesday.

“It is essential that the City does its best to help protect City of Ansonia residents from possible unnecessary exposure to a person or persons who have come into contact with an individual who may be showing symptoms,” according to a letter signed by Mayor David Cassetti, Superintendent of Schools Joseph DiBacco and Naugatuck Valley Health District Director of Health Jessica Stelmaszek said.

Click here to read the full letter.

The city said the new policy will be re-assessed moving forward. A list of canceled meetings will be posted on the city’s website and social media page.

Ansonia Public Schools noted that its bus company has been instructed to follow all cleaning and sanitizing protocols that have been put into place by state and local health officials. The school district is also taking extra care with “high touch” area in the city schools, such as pin pads, phones, door handles, bathrooms and cafeteria tables.

“Ansonia Public Schools continues to collaborate with City officials and Naugatuck Valley Health (District) professionals to address the necessary strategies for mitigating transmission of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in our community,” the letter states.

The article continues after this video explaining mitigation measures posted March 5 by the Town of Fairfield’s health department:

DERBY

In a letter to the community Tuesday shared on social media, the school’s website, and emailed to local media, Superintendent Matthew Conway noted crews continue to clean and disinfect schools and buses on a daily basis. The schools, through morning announcements, is reminding people to wash their hands as a way to mitigate transmission of the virus.

In the letter, Conway announced:

  • The schools were ​“limiting all non-educational providers from entering schools,” including parents, guest speakers, and outside organizations. ​“Parents will be encouraged to participate in any parent/school meetings via phone,” the letter says.
  • All field trips have been canceled until further notice. Evening events hosted by schools (math night, city-wide concerts) were also postponed or canceled.

Conway said any decision to close schools would be made with in consultation with state and local health officials. Missed days would be made up during April vacation or would be tacked on to the end of the school year.

If the school was closed for an extended amount of time, such as two weeks, the district would work with state education officials to determine how to meet the state law regarding 180 days of school.

“In preparation for a possible school closure, all students and staff are advised to take their belongings home each night (including laptops),” Conway said.

The district is also working on ways to teach online, should it come to it. Many Derby children rely on getting healthy meals at school. Conway said a plan is being developed to make sure that still happens should there be an extended school closure.

Click here to read Conway’s full letter.

SEYMOUR

Superintendent Michael Wilson used Facebook Tuesday to inform parents what the rest of the school year could look like should the district be impacted by COVID-19.

It was the second coronavirus message the district posted to Facebook in as many days.

“After being involved with the conference call from the state last evening, we have met as a team to discuss the possible what if scenario in light of the Covid-19 scare,” Wilson said. ​“As a result our team felt the need to communicate with the Board, staff, and community on a ​“what if scenario” as outlined in the attached communication. Please realize student and staff safety remain at the forefront of our thinking. While we hope this scenario does not need to be utilized; having a plan in place helps keep everyone informed and aware of what may happen.”

If Seymour schools were to close for 10 days, the last day of school would be June 25. If additional time was needed, the last day of school could be pushed to June 30.

If schools closed for 13 days or more, Seymour students would lose April vacation days and end school June 30.

If more than 18 days were needed, Seymour Public Schools would have to reach out to state education officials for guidance.

Wilson’s letter is available through this link. The majority of the letter is posted as an image below.

SHELTON

The Valley Indy previously reported on a detailed letter Superintendent Beth Smith wrote Tuesday afternoon. The full letter is available through this link.

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