New Britain Schools Closed, Curfew Imposed

New Britain schools are being closed and public events are being delayed as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Mayor Erin Stewart is imposing a curfew on the city’s youth.

Schools Superintendent Nancy Sarra announced that schools would be closed for two weeks, starting Monday, March 16, 2020. Sarra said,

In an effort to keep all of our students and families free of COVID-19, the New Britain Public Schools will be closing all schools beginning Monday, March 16 – Friday, March 27.

Sarra said that the school district will let families know prior to March 30, 2020, “if we will open or continue with the school closures.”

The New Britain school district has made letters from Sarra available in English and Spanish with more information for city families.

In the letters, Sarra says that, “It is the expectation that our students are engaged in learning daily. The district has prepared student materials to be worked on at home. Materials are available online at www.csdnb.org.”

“Breakfast and Lunch will be provided for all New Britain Students beginning Monday, March 16, 2020,” Sarra says. “Meal Distribution Center hours are Monday – Friday: 8:30a.m.-10:00 a.m. AND 11:30-1:00. The expectation is that you bring your child with you for their meals. You may obtain both meals during each of the open hours so that you do not have to come twice per day.”

Sarra says that meals are available at five locations:

• New Britain High School, 110 Mill Street
• Pulaski Middle School, 757 Farmington Avenue
• Smalley Elementary School, 175 West Street
• Smith Elementary School, 142 Rutherford Street
• Food Truck at A.W. Stanley Park, Stanley Street

Sarra’s letter says that, as of yesterday, “For those families without internet or a device, teachers will be giving out materials,” adding, “If your child comes home without the materials, you must pick them up at one of the five Meal Distribution Centers.”

Meanwhile, the mayor’s office says that Stewart is imposing, “a city-wide curfew for unsupervised youth,” in the city, saying,

Unsupervised youth 16 and under will not be allowed out past 10 p.m. Officers who come across any youth in violation of the curfew have been instructed to perform a wellness check, investigate the incident, and assist in getting the child back to their home.

In addition to schools being closed, community events are being postponed, including,

• The New Britain PAL 5K run
• The Parks and Recreational Department’s basketball championship game
• The TRIAD breakfast.

At the New Britain Senior Center, “Lunch, the tax assistance program, and Dial a Ride for medical and grocery shopping purposes will still be available,” Stewart’s office says, but, “The Senior Center will be cancelling all recreational programs beginning Monday, March 16.”

“Everyone has to be involved in our efforts to suppress the spread of this virus,” Stewart said. “Everything we are doing is to stop the cycle – stay home, and think beyond yourself.”