CREC Schools Superintendent Update, September 15, 2020
Dear CREC Families,
In my discussion with the Parent Senate last evening I realized that I have made some assumptions about your knowledge of our practices as they relate to COVID. While a full explanation of every scenario would be too lengthy, there is some information that I should share with you. What follows is a list of terms you have likely heard, and an explanation of these terms.
Cohorts - All students who attend school in person are assigned to a cohort. That cohort will be treated as a unit in the event that there is a positive case in the school. In general (not always) if a member of the cohort test positive for COVID, the entire cohort will be sent home to participate in distance learning for up to 14 days. Students have at least one cohort for their academics, but may have others that include their bus or carpool, their before/after care group or their sports team. You should be prepared to have your child sent home for up to 14 days if someone in their cohort tests positive.
Hybrid - the hybrid model being used by many districts is designed to keep class sizes at manageable levels. Many area towns had a small percentage of families opt into distance learning and had to use a hybrid to keep classes small. CREC had 42% of families sign up for CDLA and was able to keep class sizes reasonably small without a hybrid. We now have some grades at some schools where multiple families are asking to return from CDLA to in person learning. These transfers will push in person classes past their safe limit and force us to shift to a hybrid model. We are trying to avoid the hybrid wherever possible, but may have to move some students to hybrid in the coming weeks. You will be notified if this is the case.
Department of Public Health (DPH) - Each town in Connecticut has an identified director of public health. Some towns share them, others have their own. That individual is responsible for making the health decisions in their community. They are the ones that we look to for decisions about COVID in our schools. They will tell us to open or close. They will decide who goes home for quarantine, and for how long. They do not give us a formula to follow, they want to explore the circumstances behind each case and make a decision based on that set of facts. What makes it tricky for CREC is that our schools are in 11 different towns and we have to consult with multiple DPH offices. While there is great consistency, it is possible that we will get different guidance from two directors given a similar set of facts.
Direct Contact - A direct contact is anyone who has been in direct contact with someone who has a positive test for COVID that has been confirmed by DPH. A consultation with a health professional will determine who is considered a direct contact. Generally people who were within 6 feet of someone for more than 15 minutes are considered a direct contact.
Contact of a contact - Other individuals may come in contact with someone who has not yet tested positive for COVID, but is a direct contact of someone who has. People who are around direct contacts are considered a “contact of a contact”. In many cases these individuals are not quarantined but are asked to monitor their symptoms.
The below graphic illustrates the relationship between a person who has Covid-19 (a “confirmed case”), a person who is a direct contact, and a person who is a “contact of a contact.”
Quarantine - Some members of our school community may be asked by health officials to quarantine. This request will require that those individuals not come to school. If a student who is supposed to quarantine arrives at school they will be isolated and they will need to be picked up and brought home. Staff and students who are home on quarantine should limit their exposure to everyone else (including family members) to the greatest extent possible.
Testing for COVID - In the event you are asked to have your child tested a link to testing sites can be found HERE.
I hope this information is helpful. We are partners in keeping our schools safer places for our students to learn. Please keep your child home if any of the following occurs:
- Your child exhibits any symptoms of COVID-19;
- An immediate family member residing in your home has tested positive for COVID-19;
- You had your child tested for COVID-19 and you are waiting for the results;
- Your child has had closed contact with a person outside of your home who tested positive for COVID-19
In each of these cases, please notify your child’s school and contact your healthcare provider for guidance.
CREC Schools Superintendent Update, September 3, 2020
Dear CREC Parents,
Our team has been busy all summer preparing for the opening of school on the 9th and 10th. We are excited to welcome back students, whether in person or virtually. I have been traveling to schools and I am confident that we can provide a safe and productive learning environment.
By now you should have received bus route information. I want to remind you that students who are learning in person and new to building should be arriving on September 9th. Students in the CREC Distance Learning Academy (CDLA) and students returning to the building will start on the 10th. If you are driving your child to school, expect an increase in traffic and possible delays as we work to welcome everyone back to campus safely. That week (September 9-11) will be half days and there is no aftercare so plan accordingly.
You should also be aware that I have instructed schools to pause the switching of students from CDLA to in-person learning. In order to properly plan, we need stable numbers. Your current selection is where you will start the year. More details can be found below by grade level.
Elementary Parents (PK-5th grade)
You are not allowed to switch to either CDLA or in person learning until September 14th. We need to finalize class lists and evaluate enrollment numbers by classroom. If you are happy with your current selection for school you do not need to do anything more. If you want to switch from in-person to CDLA you will need to wait for a class assignment (approximately 3 to 5 days), but you can choose to keep your child home if you feel the need to. If you are asking to switch from CDLA to in-person, we need you to stay home for now until we can see what class sizes and social distancing looks like in your school and grade.
Secondary Parents (6th to 12th)
You are not allowed to switch from CDLA to in person until at least September 14th. We need to assure that class sizes are not exceeding space maximums, and cannot allow your students back to school just yet. If you are in CDLA simply log into your class and follow along. If you are currently in-person and want to switch to CDLA, you can ask your school to send you the links so that you can follow along from home while you await the official switch.
Finally, I want to make you aware that we are following the advice of our medical team as we make important decisions. We recently cancelled the football season on the recommendation of Dr. Ziogas, and are making other adjustments to our plan as needed. I know that some of you are frustrated with the changes, but we will continue to make decisions that are best for our students, even if they require us to change course. Data and experience will be the drivers of these changes.
Enjoy the long weekend. I hope to see you and your children in the near future.
CREC Schools Superintendent Update, August 21, 2020
Dear CREC Families and Staff,
Below are several important updates about our reopening plan. I am aware that these adjustments and updates may feel overwhelming and frustration levels are high. We believe these changes and those that will follow are necessary to assure the best safe learning environment. We will continue to adjust throughout this school year as data and common sense prevail. I truly believe that while nothing is perfect, each of the items below makes us better than we were yesterday.
Masks for PreK and K
The state is changing its guidance for mask wearing for our youngest students. Previously, health experts were not recommending masks for students ages 3,4, and 5. That guidance has changed, and masks are now required. As a result we will be working with students to help them wear masks, even at this young age. No one should expect 100% compliance for students in grades PreK and K, but it is now our expectation that they will try to wear their masks in school. I know that some of you were worried about the social impact of masks. However, after consulting with our health team, we need to change our stance from recommending to expecting masks for this age group. We ask that you help prepare your child for wearing a mask, and you can be assured that our teachers will be working patiently with children on this difficult issue. If this will cause you to change your placement from CDLA to in-person or vice versa, please contact your school as soon as possible.
To help everyone prepare for mask wearing, CREC has prepared a video. The link to that video is below.
CREC Mask Video
Health Metrics
As promised you will find below a link to the health metrics for the week. These metrics will be used to help us determine which learning model we will use. As you will find, the data for Hartford County remains extremely positive with low case rates. The same is true for every county in the state. This data fully supports our return to in person learning on September 9th. This data is provided by the state. I assume the same link will be updated with new data every Thursday. If that is the case, I will send a reminder next week with the same link. Please save the link if you plan on checking the data regularly. You should also be aware that we are independently following data for the towns sending students to CREC. This will allow us to anticipate spikes in smaller clusters.
https://data.ct.gov/stories/s/CT-School-Reopening/ddy2-ijgu/
Elementary CDLA Teacher Assignments
We have good news and bad news. After reviewing the numbers in elementary schools for CDLA by school and grade, we are able to offer CDLA taught by school based staff to all students. This will mean that students will attend (virtually) with their friends and teachers, helping to strengthen social bonds during this isolating time. Students will also have access to their school’s staff for special education and related services, building on relationships already established, making our services stronger. The bad news is that students within schools did not magically appear on the CDLA roster in groups of 22. As a result CDLA class sizes will range from 16 to 31 in various schools and grades, and in rare cases may be outside of that range. While these class sizes are not ideal, we think that the connection with the school will be stronger and make for an overall better experience.
We have identified the need to add over 50 teachers to our rolls in order to accommodate the small class sizes for in-person learning and keep CLDA classes from overflowing. This means that some students will be assigned to substitute teachers to start the year. We will make every effort to have a certified teacher in as many rooms as possible, but cannot make that guarantee. There will be substitutes in both in-person classrooms and CDLA, with experienced certified staff in both as well. We are training substitutes and will support them, but there simply are not enough teachers to cover the choices we have offered parents.
CDLA Administrator
I would like to announce that Wanda Broaden has been appointed as the interim lead administrator for CDLA. Ms Broaden will work with school principals to coordinate logistics for students and families in CDLA. Under our models for both Elementary and Secondary schools your school principal will be responsible for your child’s education, but Ms. Broaden will be an additional set of eyes to make sure that things run smoothly. She will be reaching out to introduce herself in the coming week.
Schedules and Class Lists
The changes in enrollment numbers between CDLA and in-person learning has forced us to delay the building of schedules and class lists. We feel good about offering parents choice, but admit that it has caused a delay. The number of sections for in-person learning and CDLA in our elementary schools fluctuates as enrollment numbers shift. We are working to finalize staffing and class lists. We will have them out before the start of school on September 9th, but please be patient. We need time to balance class rosters so that all in-person classes can have as few students as possible in them. Building class lists during this time is quite complex.
We will continue to send updates as they become available. I am looking forward to getting the year started and trying to bring normalcy to our staff and students.
Thank you for your patience and understanding during these turbulent times for public education.
CREC Schools Superintendent Update, August 18, 2020
Good Day CREC Families,
We continue to monitor data regarding COVID infections and will use this data and the guidance of our health professionals to make decisions about reopening. I am writing to give an update on our current plan, but please be aware that adjustments may be made as we work to start school as safely as possible.
To provide additional time to operationalize staffing plans and organize school supply inventories, we have decided to push back the first day of school.
The first day of school will now be Wednesday, September 9 for students who are new to the building. All students will be welcomed back to class on September 10. CREC Distance Learning Academy will start with all students on September 10. The first week of school will remain shortened days where lunch will be served. This will give us a chance to review the procedures that we have in place and make adjustments as needed to make our schools as safe as possible.
Please be assured that we continue to work hard to make good decisions and will let data drive our plans.
We will continue to communicate regularly. Stay safe.
CREC Schools Superintendent Update, August 3, 2020
Good evening CREC Staff and Families,
We continue to monitor data regarding COVID infections and will use this data and the guidance of our health professionals to make decisions about reopening. I am communicating to give an update on our current plan, but please be aware that adjustments may be made as we work to start school as safely as possible.
Currently 3,000 of our 8,500 students have asked to start the year in the CREC Distance Learning Academy.
We have decided to add days for staff training to the start of the school year. Staff will report August 20th as planned and participate in training though August 28th.
If we are able to safely follow the current plan of opening school in person, the first day of school will be Monday, August 31st for students who are new to the building. All students will be welcomed back to class on September 1st. CREC Distance Learning Academy will start with all students on August 31st. The first week of school will be shortened days where lunch will be served. This will give us a chance to review the procedures that we have in place and make adjustments as needed to make our schools as safe as possible.
Please be assured that we are working hard to make good decisions and will let data drive our plans. No matter what we look forward to being back “in” school.
We will continue to communicate regularly. Stay safe.
CREC Schools Superintendent Update, July 19, 2020
Hello CREC Families,
This is Tim Sullivan, Superintendent of the Magnet Schools. I wanted to provide you with a preview of what will be an important week for you and your children.
We have spent the past several months working with area superintendents, state officials, CREC leaders, staff, student and parent senates to develop plans for the coming school year. We are going to share those plans with you this week.
On Tuesday, July 21st at 6:00 pm we will be releasing our plans for the fall. As you know our plans must include three levels (return to school, only use distance learning or a hybrid). Our plans will detail for you what the first option - in school learning - will look like. Using both the district and school based plans, you will be able to see the steps we are taking to make your children and our staff safer while in school. Based on that information, we are asking you to make a choice.
You can return to school in the fall at your CREC campus or you can stay home and access your learning through our CREC Distance Learning Academy. Details about CDLA will also be shared in our plan, and you should be able to decide which option is best for you and your family.
We recognize that nothing is perfect in these uncertain times, but we do have to move forward. Because we need to staff the buildings and CDLA for your return, we will need you to make a decision by the end of the day on August 2nd.
I am asking you to start having that conversation now and be ready to fill out the form being emailed to you on July 21st.
I know that some of you will want to wait to make your decision based on data and knowing what other school systems are doing. We will allow families to change their mind throughout this process, but you should understand that we need time to assign staff to teach. We really need an initial response from every family to make that happen.
Again you will receive the information we have available at 6:00 pm on July 21st. The sooner you fill out the form, the more prepared we will be for your classes this fall.
Thank you for your patience.
I will be hosting four zoom meetings on Wednesday to provide answers to questions that you may have. You should join the zoom meeting that aligns with your grade configuration. These meetings are limited to 1 hour and you can submit your questions into the chat. If you are unable to join the zoom meeting, you can send me an email. We will then add the questions and answers to our FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) so everyone can see them. Please expect to receive Zoom links in the emails being sent to you on July from your CREC school.
CREC Schools Superintendent Update, May 6, 2020
CREC Magnet Schools Families,
Due to yesterday's announcement by Governor Lamont, Connecticut schools will remain closed through the remainder of the academic year. While this announcement brings some relief to many in our community, it may also bring disappointment to staff, students and parents who were holding out hope for a return.
As a district, we will be developing procedures for students to access personal items that may have been left in desks, lockers, and classrooms. School administrators will be sending out further communication regarding this, as well as end-of-year activities, continued interim learning plans, and outreach efforts by our school counselors, social workers, and FACES team members. Each school will continue to follow their current schedule for online learning from now until the official end of the 2019-20 school year. CREC educators remain fully committed to teaching and connecting with students, now more than ever.
CREC is in the process of launching a new initiative this summer to offer students who are enrolled at CREC for next year the opportunity to participate in fun enrichment activities offered by CREC staff through virtual platforms. Activities will not replace a summer school course load or summer camp, but will instead offer students opportunities to connect with each other and engage in fun activities through 1 - 3 week long sessions, 4 days per week. A catalog of full offerings and registration will be shared with families soon!
As we look forward toward September, we fully expect to be open for business for the 2020-21 school year, whether through in-person or virtual platforms. CREC has created a committee currently working on plans and procedures for multiple scenarios, with the goal of ensuring the health and safety of our students, staff, and families, as well as access to quality education.
While the past few months have been taxing on all of us, I do remain hopeful. I believe that better days are in our future. We will suffer, and we will eventually recover. I am confident that we as a school district can and will respond as a community. We will pick each other up and forge ahead knowing that our strength comes from our ability to see past our differences and find the common good within us all.
Timothy J. Sullivan, Jr.
Superintendent
CREC Schools Superintendent Update, April 9, 2020
Dear CREC Families and Staff,
I hope this message finds you and your loved ones in good health. I’d like to begin by announcing the winners of the CREC Social Distancing Video Contest.
Of over 100 submissions, the following students are being recognized for their incredible talent and messages:
1st Place: Tiffany Sprague, Vernon Center Middle School - VIDEO LINK
2nd Place: Khalil Nulan, CREC Ana Grace Academy of the Arts - VIDEO LINK
3rd Place: Isabella Seery, CREC Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts - VIDEO LINK
Thank you to everyone who participated, helping us share the important message of physical distancing, and congratulations to the winners!
As a reminder, CREC Schools are not in session for April break, Monday, April 13 - Friday, April 17. Students are not expected to participate in the Interim Learning Plan during this time, and it is our hope that everyone enjoys a well-deserved rest over the next week.
We will continue to follow the Governor’s lead on the closure of schools. He announced that schools are now closed through May 20th.
I would also like to announce that we will be starting a “poster” contest. Prizes will be awarded by grade level with $100 each for PK-5th, 6th to 8th and 9th to 12th. The Overall Grand prize will get an extra $200 for a total of $300. The deadline for the contest is May 3rd. Full instructions and the submission form can be found at www.crec.org/c/c19postercontest.
Again, we appreciate your patience and understanding during this time of school closure. Please do not hesitate to reach out should you have questions, concerns, or suggestions. You can call us at 860-524-4096.
Important Dates to Remember:
Friday, April 10 - Good Friday, No School
Monday, April 13-Friday, April 17 - April Break, No School
Stay home. Stay Safe.
Timothy J. Sullivan, Jr.
Superintendent
CREC Magnet Schools Move to Online Learning Message, March 20, 2020
CREC Magnet School Parents and Staff,
I am contacting you today with more updates on our response to COVID-19.
I first want to thank you for your patience and understanding during this crisis. We are aware that families are under a lot of stress in these tough times, and we appreciate all that you are doing.
Secondly, I want to be clear that I am not aware of cases of COVID-19 in the CREC community. At this point we are encouraging all of you to take safety precautions and stay home as much as possible. I believe that the spread of the virus will be impacted by our decisions as individuals, and we should do all that we can to slow the transmission.
Lastly, I want to inform you that we are shifting our thinking regarding our response to the school closure. Initially, we intended to make up the days at the end of the year by staying in school through June 30th. Based on the information I am getting from the governor’s office, it is no longer possible to get 180 days in school. We do not know how long we will be out of school.
Despite our previous concerns about equity and the implementation of IEP and 504 plans, we have to make the transition to online learning, and do the best that we can. Starting next week teachers will begin supporting student learning through electronic mediums. It is our goal to engage every student at some level, realizing that high school students' experience will be different from students in PreK and Kindergarten, but we want everyone doing something.
We acknowledge up front that this will not be perfect. Distance learning is new to us. We cannot ensure that the technology will always work. Households - of both teachers and students - are busy and may create distractions. Family schedules may not align with learning time. Given that this format of teaching is new to most teachers they have a steep learning curve ahead of them. We can only ask that everyone do their best.
We continued to be concerned about students with an IEP, 504 plan, English Learner needs and those that lack technology. We will try our best to assist with those needs.
In the coming days more details will be sent to you. On Monday we hope to begin to have contact established between the school and the home. If someone from CREC calls your house, they will be calling from a blocked number since they are calling from their home - please answer. If anyone has questions or concerns you can call our main number 860-524-4096.
I am hopeful that we will all come together during this tough time and demonstrate patience, kindness and empathy for each other.
Timothy J. Sullivan, Jr.
Superintendent
CREC Magnet Schools Closed, Effective Monday, March 16, 2020
Good afternoon CREC Families and Staff,
In an effort to promote health and safety in light of the developing spread of the Coronavirus (CoVID-19), and in consultation with CREC Medical Director, Dr. Barbara Ziogas, we have decided that effective Monday, March 16th, we are closing all CREC Magnet Schools until further notice. CREC Magnet Schools will make up any missed days in June; please plan accordingly. All extra curricular activities, including athletics, are canceled during this time. We are aware that for many families this will create a child supervision issue, but given the health risk, we need to take this proactive approach to promote the wellbeing of our community.
CREC has put together extension activities and experiences that are designed to keep students engaged in learning while they are away from school. These activities are not a replacement for the school day and are completely optional, but provide young minds with ways to stay active. Please visit CREC Learning Extensions for these resources.
We will continue to update the CREC community with new information as it becomes available through direct messaging and on www.crecschools.org. Please continue to follow CDC guidance and practice frequent hand-washing and social distancing.
During this time, school staff will have limited access to voicemail and email. CREC staff will get back to you as soon as possible with responses to questions. For questions that require a more timely response during regular work hours, please use the CREC Magnet Schools hotline at 1-860-524-4096. We also recognize that schools are a main point of support for families. In addition to the resources that we will continue to share on our websites, please feel encouraged to reach out using the hotline should you need our support.
Anticipated Questions
How long will the schools be closed for?
We will be looking for state officials and our medical director to advise us on that, but it will be at least several days, if not weeks, so long term planning is a good idea.
I thought the governor waived the 180 day rule; why are we going to school until the end of June?
The waiver is only for distance learning. We will not be be using distance learning because we have many students who do not have access to either devices or WiFi and we cannot ensure that students with an IEP or 504 plan can access the supports they are entitled to.
Will graduations be impacted?
At this time, graduation dates will be rescheduled if needed. More information to come.
What will the impact of learning be on Student Services?
When we return to school we will review each child’s IEP or 504 Plan and if necessary convene a PPT/504 meeting and review the ramifications of the absence.and its impact on student learning.
Will April vacation be impacted?
April vacation will go on as planned.
Are conferences being canceled or rescheduled?
All conferences (including phone conferences) are canceled.
The wellbeing and safety of our community is dependent on our collective efforts, and I thank you for your cooperation and patience during this time.
Timothy J. Sullivan, Jr.
Superintendent
3/10/20 Coronavirus (CoVID-19) Update for CREC Community
Dear CREC Families and Staff,
The following provides our most recent update regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19), preventative steps CREC has taken to date, as well as the virus’ current state in Connecticut.
What do we know about the coronavirus (COVID-19)?
CREC’s Response
CREC Schools Superintendent continues to meet regularly with CREC executive leadership, review current guidance from the CDC, consult with CREC’s Medical Director, and monitor local and national news for current information and future planning.
Family-Teacher Conferences:The March 18-20 Family-Teacher conferences will now happen by phone. All teachers will contact families at their already designated appointment times. Please contact your school’s main office with questions regarding conferences or to ensure that you have current contact information in the school information database, PowerSchool.
School Cleaning Protocols: CREC has implemented and enhanced cleaning protocols in schools that include morning and afternoon disinfecting of classrooms and touch surfaces throughout our schools. CREC will continue these protocols until no longer necessary.
Hand washing: In addition to increased hand-sanitizer in all CREC schools, school nurses and classroom teachers will continue to remind students of proper hand-washing techniques. Increased signage regarding these techniques will also be posted.
Field Trips / Travel: All international and out of state field trips have been either canceled or postponed. All local field trips occurring before April 17 have been canceled or postponed. Attendance to all out of state professional learning conferences for employees have been canceled.
How will CREC respond to cases in Connecticut?
CREC will continue to follow the guidance of the CREC Medical Director as well as follow directives from state officials. School closures will not occur unless deemed necessary by the Department of Public Health. We have been assured that they will be providing CREC with guidance on this topic should school closures become necessary in the future.
Learning Extensions: In the event that schools are temporarily closed due to COVID 19, CREC fully intends to make up the time as we would snow days, at the end of the year. We have, however, put together extension activities and experiences that are designed to keep students engaged in learning activities while they are away from school. These activities are not a replacement for the school day and are completely optional, but provide young minds with ways to stay active. Visit our web page, Learning Extensions or ask your school for paper copies of these extension activities.
If necessary, CREC will extend the 2019-20 school year to as late as June 30, 2020 to make up any missed days. CREC will NOT cancel April vacation (April 13-17, 2020.)
Information Sources: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Connecticut Department of Public Health, CREC Medical Director, Dr. Ziogas, and CREC Leadership remain our primary sources of information relating to the coronavirus. Information changes with every news cycle (12 hours), but CREC is closely monitoring all updates and resources, and will share with the CREC Community in a timely manner through direct messaging and the CREC Schools website.
As a reminder, please consider the following key messages for the general public from CT Governor, Ned Lamont::
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People without symptoms should not be tested for COVID-19. Testing individuals with no symptoms is not recommended by CDC.
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If you were with someone who does not have symptoms, the risk of transmission is very low.
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There are many respiratory illnesses circulating in Connecticut, such as the flu and the common cold. Having respiratory symptoms does not mean that you have COVID-19.
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People are at higher risk for COVID-19 if they have symptoms of the virus (cough, fever, shortness of breath) AND if they were in contact with a positive case of COVID-19 (or have traveled to country with community transmission, such as China, Italy, South Korea, Iran, and Japan).
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Someone is considered a contact if they have had direct, face-to-face contact with a person with COVID-19.
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People who think they have COVID-19 should call their healthcare provider. These people should not go directly to a healthcare facility without first calling a healthcare provider (unless they are experiencing a medical emergency).
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If you haven’t already, get your flu shot and make sure the people around you do the same.
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Wash your hands thoroughly and often throughout the day. Use warm water and soap. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand gel.
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Cough or sneeze into your elbow. Viruses can spread by coughing or sneezing on other people or into your hands.
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Stay home from work or school if you are sick.
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Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs spread this way.
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Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious foods.
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Keep surfaces (especially bedside tables, surfaces in the bathroom, and toys for children) clean by wiping them down with a household disinfectant.
For the most up-to-date information from the State of Connecticut, as well as guidance and other resources, visit ct.gov/coronavirus. If you’re not already subscribed to receive press releases from the Governor’s office and want the most updated announcements in your inbox, you can sign up for their mailing list by visiting the governor’s website.
CREC will continue to share more information as it becomes available through direct messaging to families and on the CREC Schools Website. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this messaging, please feel free to contact my office.
Timothy J. Sullivan
Superintendent
03/07/2020 Press Release, State of Connecticut Governor's Office
Governor Lamont: Connecticut Launches Coronavirus Infoline for General Questions from the Public
Connecticut Residents Can Call 2-1-1 or text CTCOVID to 898211
(Hartford, CT) - Governor Ned Lamont today announced that the State of Connecticut is partnering with the United Way of Connecticut to launch an information hotline for questions from the public regarding issues related to the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). People who have questions can call 2-1-1 or text "CTCOVID" to 898211.
Answers to many of the questions people may have can already be found by visiting the state's coronavirus information website at ct.gov/coronavirus. People are encouraged to review that website for answers to their questions first before calling the hotline.
This information hotline is only intended to be used by individuals who are not experiencing symptoms but may have general questions related to COVID-19. Anyone experienceing symptoms is strongly urged to contact their medical provider to seek treatment.
"We understand people have specific questions but we want to stress that this call center is only intended for general information. Anyone looking for specific medical advice regarding symptoms they may be experiencing is strongly urged to seek medical treatment," Governor Lamont said.
The 2-1-1 hotline is available 24 hours a day. Multilingual assistanct and TDD/TYY access for those with a hearing impairment is also available.
Coronavirus (CoVID-19) Update from CREC Schools Superintendent
March 4, 2020
Dear CREC Community,
I am writing to provide you with an update about how CREC Magnet Schools is addressing the news and concerns about the spread of the coronavirus (CoVID-19). I continue to meet with CREC’s executive leadership, review the latest guidance from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), and consult with our medical advisor. At this time there is no evidence of the coronavirus (CoVID-19) in any of our schools. Influenza A and B (the flu) continue to be our biggest challenge.
CREC Magnet Schools is continuously monitoring the activities of local, state and federal health agencies, as well as reviewing our pandemic plans. Currently, there are no confirmed cases in the Hartford Region, or in The State of Connecticut.
I am holding frequent conference calls with CREC school principals, updating them on our current situation and future planning. Right now, we are advising all teachers and our families to continue operating as we do during any flu season. I’ve also directed the ordering of additional hand sanitizer for each school. The most important step in mitigating the spread of the coronavirus, the flu or most illnesses, is practicing the following healthy habits:
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Frequent and thorough hand-washing for at least 20 seconds
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Use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available
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Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
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Avoid close contact with people who are sick
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Stay home when you are sick and do not return to work or school until you have been fever- free without the use of fever reducing medication for at least 24 hours
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Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, and then throw the tissue in the trash
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Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
I also would like to share with you the following resources:
Connecticut Department of Public Health: https://portal.ct.gov/DPH/Public-Health-Preparedness/Main-Page/2019-Novel-Coronavirus
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website providing general prevention information: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention-treatment.html
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Information about COVID-19 available through state and localexternal icon health departments
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General CDC fact sheets to help staff and students’ families understand COVID-19 and the steps they can take to protect themselves:
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CDC Information on COVID-19 and children
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CDC information for staff, students, and their families who have recently traveled back to the United States from areas where CDC has identified community spread of coronavirus:
We are also closely monitoring and evaluating all field trips and will make decisions on a case by case basis. Your child’s school administration will continue to communicate with you about the status of all field trips.
I will keep you informed in the coming days and weeks through direct communication and on www.crecschools.org. Please monitor your children for any anxiety about the topic, and talk to them if they have questions. Suggestions for how to talk to your children can be found here https://store.samhsa.gov/system/files/sma14-4886.pdf. As always, the health and safety of our school communities is our top priority.
If you have any questions please contact my office at 860-509-3679.
Timothy J. Sullivan
Superintendent
Message from CREC Schools Superintendent to CREC Community
Friday, February 28, 2020
Dear CREC Magnet School Families,
The purpose of my letter is to provide you with an update about how CREC Magnet Schools is addressing the news and concerns about the spread of the coronavirus. I met today with CREC’s executive leadership, reviewed the latest guidance from the Center for Disease Control (CDC), and consulted with our medical advisor. At this time there is no evidence of the coronavirus in any of our schools. Influenza A and B (the flu) continue to be our biggest challenge.
I have directed the ordering of additional hand sanitizer for each school. The most important step in mitigating the spread of the coronavirus, the flu or most illnesses, is practicing the following healthy habits:
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Frequent and thorough hand-washing for at least 20 seconds
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Use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available
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Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
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Avoid close contact with people who are sick
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Stay home when you are sick
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Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, and then throw the tissue in the trash
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Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
We are also closely monitoring and evaluating all field trips and will make decisions on a case by case basis.
If you have any questions please contact my office at 860-509-3679.
Timothy J. Sullivan
Superintendent