Superintendent Announces Likely “Extended School Closure”

New Britain schools Superintendent Nancy Sarra has announced likely, “extended school closure,” after, “ongoing communication,” with state officials.

“After communicating with the State Commissioner of Education,” Sarra said, in a March 20, 2020 message to New Britain families, “it is likely we will continue to be at home beyond the original back-to-school date of March 30, 2020.”

In a written message, Sarra said that,

We will continue our Interim Academic Time for all New Britain students beyond the original March 27 School Shutdown. As you know we are following the lead of our Governor and the State Department of Education. Our top priority is ensuring you are all healthy. While I cannot tell you at this time what the expected back to school date will be, I can tell you that all New Britain Students and Staff will have their April Break beginning on Friday, April 10th to Friday April 17th. Interim Academic time will resume on Monday, April 20th.

Sarra said that, “all of our departments have been working very hard to roll out phase 2 of your child’s Daily Academic Learning time which is anticipated to go live on Monday, March 30, 2020.” Saying that more information would be made available, Sarra asked families to, “Please ensure your email address is current in Power School in order to receive future communications for your child and that your child is checking their district student email account daily.”

“We understand there are families without devices such as tablets, laptops, or Chromebooks after ongoing outreach through phone surveys,” Sarra said. “Beginning Monday, March 23 our building secretaries and our family school liaisons will be reaching out to those families who have not responded to ensure we make every effort to have a device for your child to use during the extended School Closure.”

“We will be engaging all of our students through Google Classroom within the next two weeks,” said Sarra encouraging families to visit the school district’s website or facebook page for updates.

Sarra also directed families’ attention to “Internet Essentials,” saying, “Xfinity WiFi Network Nationally is offering 2 months internet access for free. Also, Comcast announced additional steps to help ensure people stay connected to the Internet as they know more schools are remaining closed due to the Coronavirus.”

The website of the Internet Essentials program from Comcast says that it provides, “low‑cost, high‑speed Internet” for low income families, and that, “You may qualify if you are eligible for public assistance programs such as the National School Lunch Program, Housing Assistance, Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, and others.”

Sarra’s full message is available on the Consolidated School District of New Britain’s website in English, Spanish and Arabic.