Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he is extending in-school class cancellations until May 20. “That’s the earliest we’d reconsider opening anything,” the governor said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if the May 20th date gets extended as well.”
“We appreciate Governor Lamont’s response to the state’s ongoing public health emergency. The first priority must always be to protect the health and safety of our students, teachers, and communities,” said CEA President Jeff Leake. “We support the governor and the medical professionals who say keeping schools closed will help lessen the strain on our hospitals, and preserve more lives. That requires all of us to follow safety procedures, make sacrifices, and obey social distancing guidelines. Keeping schools closed until at least May 20, is just one of many actions required to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.”
“This decision has not been made lightly,” said Education Commissioner Miguel Cardona. “It was made following consultation with public health experts and education stakeholders to protect the lives of our students, dedicated staff, and healthcare workers. We will not resume any school activity unless it is determined it is safe for everyone involved. Until that time, distance learning should continue.”
Leake continued, “Our dedicated, passionate teachers will continue engaging students through distance learning, using their creativity and expertise to help students learn and thrive.”
Cardona added, “We know we may have to cancel school until the end of year, and we’re preparing for it.”
He assured the graduating class of 2020, “You will have a graduation. You deserve it, you worked hard for it, and you are going to get it. High school principals are already planning what it might look like if classes are canceled until the end of the year, and they’re getting input from students. You deserve your moment for your years of hard work.”
To school staff the commissioner said, “I know our current situation is truly difficult to digest. What you’ve done in the last month has never been done before and has by far exceeded our expectations. You demonstrate to the world why you got into this profession: for the students.”
Cardona said that 100 percent of districts in Connecticut are involved in some kind of distance learning, however, “Virtual teaching will never replace the love, laughter, learning, the smiles on students’ faces, and the aha moments that happen in actual classrooms.”
He added, “The quarantine is not a break for students and teachers, it is actually heart breaking. We will get through this together.”
