In grades K-8, building principals are creating class lists and designing schedules that will create stable cohorts of students during the school day. The cohorts will be designed by grade level classes in grades K-4, and homerooms in grades 5-8. The cohorts will average between 15-22 students. The cohorts will not interact with any other cohort during the school day. The cohorts will stay put in a single room for the majority of the school day. Instead of students changing classrooms, all teachers will change classrooms. The “teacher on a cart” model will extend to all specials, electives, and core content areas. Cohorts will be allowed to go outside for mask breaks, physical education, recess, and to receive some instruction. Cohorts will remain intact and will not interact with other cohorts when they go outside.

In grades 9-12, it is not feasible to create stable cohorts the same way the cohorts are created in grades K-8. There will be some intermingling of students. To limit intermingling of students, the high school has revised the bell schedule to create instructional blocks. The high school is also modifying how students travel through the building and interact in various locations throughout the building.

Clubs, athletics, and before and after school activities will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Those activities that are able to engage in a distance format (e.g. Zoom or Google Meet) will be expected to do so. Those activities that require in-person engagement will be expected to do so in a socially distanced format with masks, hygiene, and sanitizing protocols in place. Those non-athletic activities that are unable to socially distance will not be permitted. All athletic programs will follow guidance articulated by the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Association and advice from state and local health officials.

The use of facilities by outside groups will be generally discouraged. Requests will be considered on a case-by-base basis. The district is going to make every effort to clear the buildings as quickly and completely as possible at the end of each school day so that the custodial staff can clean and sanitize.

Below is information about the district's approach to cohorting and the use of facilities.