Dear Families:

We hope that this message finds you and everyone you love safe and healthy, and you are enjoying the summer to the greatest extent possible. Now that the Governor and the Commissioner have released the "Adapt, Advance Achieve, Plan" for re-opening schools in the fall, we are working to design a plan for TPS that meets all the health and safety standards outlined by the State. In order to achieve this, we need some information from you and are asking that you complete this survey.  We need to know your child’s name and school so that we can create class lists and student schedules, and also know which students will be joining us in person and which students  will be learning from home. Thank you in advance for your partnership and support as we move forward in the best interest of all of Torrington’s students.

As Connecticut schools plan to reopen, the guidance and considerations outlined in the state document are grounded in the following six guiding principles:

1. Safeguarding the health and safety of students and staff;

2. Allowing all students the opportunity to return to school full time starting in the fall; (however, a distance learning option will be available as well)

3. Monitoring the school, students and staff and, when necessary, potentially cancelling classes in the future to appropriately contain COVID-19 spread;

4. Emphasizing equity, access and support to the students and communities that are emerging from this historic disruption;

5. Fostering strong two-way communication with partners such as families, educators, and staff; and

6. Factoring into decisions about reopening the challenges to the physical safety, social-emotional well-being, and the mental health needs of our students when they are not in school.

In order to maintain the health and safety of our students and staff as they return to our school buildings, the following will be mandatory:

Classroom:

1. Facial coverings/masks - mandatory for staff and students during the school day when inside the school building (except for students in the preschool program)

2. Social distancing-based on the square footage of each classroom

3. Frequent hand washing; sanitizers will be placed in classrooms without sinks

4. Enhanced cleaning and disinfecting throughout the school day

Buses:

1. Facial coverings/masks-mandatory for drivers and students at all times

2. Social Distancing, no more than 2 students per seat

Your input is very important to us and will help us plan the best educational experience for your child/children during this challenging time.  Please complete the parent survey by Saturday, August 1st.  Thank you for your time.