Bloomfield Update

BPS Update

Posted on 08/05/2021

Dear Bloomfield Public Schools family:

The safety of our children, staff and families remains the district’s highest priority as we protect our community from this evolving global health crisis, known as COVID-19 (Coronavirus).

Here is our update, as of Thursday, August. 5:

A Back to School Fun Fair will take place Saturday, August 21 – from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. - at the Alvin & Beatrice Wood Human Services facility, located 330 Park Ave. Free book bags and school supplies will be available, along with entertainment, food and drinks. To register, call 860-243-2923 or go online: https://www.bloomfieldrec.com

As we plan for a Thursday, September 2 start of the 2021-22 school year, we are reminding families that the State Department of Education is indicating, at this time, that all public school districts should be planning for a full return to school for all students. Health officials also advise that the most effective way to prevent transmission of COVID-19 in school districts is to have high vaccination rates within the schools.

When schools open in the fall, health and safety protocols will still be in place, specifically when it comes to masks and physical distancing. For example:

Masks will continue to be required in all schools and on buses for all staff and students, regardless of vaccination status.

Physical Distancing - Bloomfield will maintain a three-feet physical distancing standard (or more) whenever possible – including on school buses.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently categorized six of eight Connecticut counties, including Hartford, as now having “substantial” levels of COVD-19 transmissions.

The CDC is advising all people in those counties to wear masks in indoor public places. Unvaccinated people in Connecticut were about 17 times more likely to contract COVID-19 in July than vaccinated people, according to health officials.

As always, I am reminding you to stay steadfast with health and safety protocols to protect yourself and others. Remember the three Ws:

Wear a face mask, when and where appropriate.
Watch your distance. Practice physical distancing (up to six feet of separation where feasible)
Wash your hands often. Cover your coughs.

I will update you again, Monday, August 9. Enjoy the summer recess!

Dr. James Thompson, Jr.
Superintendent of Schools

Social and Emotional Supports

State of Connecticut COVID-19 Resources for Families and Educators

A Message from the Department of Children and Families

New “Talk It Out Line”, which is a Department of Children and Families’ initiative created to provide support and services to help parents and caretakers with the stress and increased needs resulting from caring for their children during the COVID-19 crisis. Parents and caregivers are invited to call 833-258-5011 and/or visitwww.talkitoutct.com to speak with trained professionals (in both English and Spanish) who will listen and discuss their concerns and, if additional help is needed, refer them to responsive services. The "Talk It Out Line" is available Monday-Friday from 8am to 8pm; and on weekends from 1 pm to 8 pm.

Free Webinar for Parents / TIps for How to approach Homeschooling During COVID-19

https://www.revolutionprep.com/webinars/homeschooling-during-covid-19/

National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement

Talking to Children About COVID-19 (Coronavirus) A Parent Resource

Effective Monday, March 16, 2020, Comcast is offering 2 months free to new Internet Essentials customers in response to recent and anticipated emergency measures associated with the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Click here for more details.

Announcement from the Governor for families with no Internet access.

Families experiencing a current housing crisis should dial 2-1-1 to get connected to supports that may be available statewide. Connecticut 2-1-1 can also help connect people with other services such as food, clothing, household goods, healthcare, and more.

Support Services Advisory

Dear Families,

I hope this communication finds all well and in good health. As we move into summer this notice is to inform parents of opportunities for continued learning for students with IEPs and 504 plans. After careful consideration of the guidance put forward from the SDE, Governor’s Office and in consultation with the Bloomfield/West Hartford Health District, Bloomfield has decided to continue with the Distance Learning model for the summer including Extended School Year (ESY) program. This will happen congruent to the description of district wide Early Start and BHS Summer Academy programs that are being offered to all students of Bloomfield. All special education and related services will be staffed and we will continue to be provided in accordance with each student’s IEP/504 to the greatest extent possible.

Safety for all continues to be the primary criteria driving all decisions. After careful review of opening guidelines provided by the SDE, the factors informing our decision was based on the complex nature of maintaining a safe and educationally sound on-site environment. Preparations will require time to plan for the alterations needed to the learning environment to provide the proper social distancing conditions, the market availability of PPEs and sanitizing products, and the implementation of the Governor’s Reopen Connecticut Task Force Draft Recommendations. These measures will require additional time and careful planning to ensure safety for all.

We will now have the summer to fully prepare facilities as well as the educational program in order to provide a safe beneficial re-entry model in the fall. As we put these required safety measures in place the district will continue to evaluate the possibility of face to face learning opportunities for our most impacted students over the summer. Again, we encourage all students to participate in our distance learning program in order to mitigate learning loss. To register for this Distance Learning Program please use the links below.

Early Start Prek-7 : https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdrfd93FdkRHiadlLQpZLOwJD2r3ny7Xa5QV_ikXVBojfhA1g/viewform?usp=sf_link

BHS Summer Academy 8-12: https://forms.gle/oFRcL3aKTuG9fR7MA

On an additionally important note, Support Services wants to take a moment to acknowledge these extraordinary historical times and the stress and trauma that so many are enduring. Heartfelt condolences to our families who have suffered an illness or loss of a loved one among all of the other difficult conditions this pandemic has caused. We also want to acknowledge the pain and trauma that so many are experiencing in response to current events regarding the tragic passing of George Floyd. It is with great hope that the world wide response and protest will support to bring about the change we so desperately need. Please know that our School Social Workers and School Psychologists are available to all to help support you and our students process these events. Please do not hesitate to reach out to them if there is a need for support or resources. Below is an article that may help support all parents in how to process these events with their children.

https://www.gse.upenn.edu/news/talking-children-after-racial-incidents

We will continue to provide resources for families and support on our website -- www.bloomfieldschools.org under Coronavirus Updates. We are here to support and help even during the next few summer months. Please do not hesitate to reach out.

Hope for health and peace for all,

Wendy Shepard-Bannish

Director of Student Support Services

wshepard-bannish @ blmfld.org

Bloomfield Public SchoolsRaising the Bar is Taking us Far