Good Evening,

I hope you and your loved ones are safe and healthy.  And I hope you were able to enjoy April Break. 

As I am sure you are aware, Governor Lamont has extended school shutdown in Connecticut through May 20th. He also committed to decide if we need to be closed for the remainder of the year sooner, rather than later. This means we have at least 4 more weeks of distance learning. 

We are so grateful for your partnership and patience with as we have shifted to distance learning.  We understand how challenging it can be to manage your children’s learning along with everything else you are doing. Please know we are here to support you. Our focus during this next month will continue to be on relationships with each and every learner. Our goal is for all children to feel connected with their school and good about themselves as they engage in this new learning environment. If your child is struggling academically or emotionally, please email your child's teacher, as we truly want to help in any way we can!

Technology repairs are now being conducted by appointment only. Please let your child's school know if you need a repair and the technology department will contact you directly to schedule an appointment 

Free meal distribution will continue at the same 11 sites throughout the closure from 11 am - 1 pm. 

Pick-up sites are located at:

• Naugatuck High School
• Southwood Garden
• Lantern Park
• Central Ave.
• Andrew Ave.
• Maple Hill
• Hop Brook
• City Hill
• Cross St.
• Western
• Salem

The high school will also be surveying families this week regarding graduation and other end-of-year celebrations. Report cards and grading will be revised so they appropriately represent learning during this statewide crisis and period of distance learning. Your principals will share more details with you about the grading and report card revisions in the coming weeks. We will also begin to plan for our eventual return.

I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your continued partnership as we navigate these uncertain times. 

Sincerely,

Superintendent Locke

Dear Families,

First and foremost, we hope this email finds you, your family and loved ones safe, healthy and in good spirits.  As the remote educational opportunities currently being provided due to the COVID-19 pandemic develop, it’s important to remember that we all must respect the privacy of our students.

Through NPS’s remote educational opportunities, students may be receiving group lessons through video or teleconferencing.   As a result, parents and guardians may see, hear, or be exposed to confidential and personally identifiable information about students other than their own child.  In an effort to maintain student privacy, we ask that all families and students agree and implement the following:

1. To whatever extent possible, make arrangements that students participate in video or teleconferencing lessons in a private space where, other than a parent/guardian, no other individual has access to or is present during the period of instruction.   Encourage student use of headphones or earbuds if possible.
2. Parents and guardians who may be present during video instruction should distance themselves from the lesson to avoid unnecessary access to confidential or personally identifiable information regarding other students (and their families).
3. Parents and guardians should not disclose any information concerning other students or their families that may have been incidentally discovered during any such observations of a  class or instruction.
4. As with school visits, electronic recording or video/audio taping by parents/guardians, and students of either students or teachers in our schools, in the classroom, or during remote instruction is not permitted.
5. Any such recording, release or disclosure of confidential information concerning other students or their families and any disruption to the delivery of instruction to any student may result in the suspension of virtual/remote learning privileges.

Continuing to protect student confidentially during this unprecedented pandemic is important.  Implementing the procedures outlined above will support student confidentiality and promote the success of the remote educational opportunities currently being provided.   Through participation in our remote learning program, parents and guardians are agreeing to the terms listed above.   If parents or guardians object to their child’s participation in any online virtual learning opportunities, please contact Christopher Montini, Assistant Superintendent, or Nicole Reichardt, Director of Special Services, by email.  If you are in disagreement, the virtual learning program will not be provided to your child and we will determine a different means by which to address your child’s educational needs. Please address any specific questions about our district’s remote learning plan with your school principal.

Now more than ever, we are thankful for the Naugatuck Public School and greater community, the strong relationships between our schools and families, and our amazing students (whom we miss very much).

In partnership,

Naugatuck Public Schools

March 17, 2020

Dear Naugatuck School Families,

Thank you for your patience, understanding, and flexibility during this unprecedented pandemic! Our priority is taking care of our community as we adapt to the changing circumstances.

As you may be aware, the Governor issued an executive order closing schools for two weeks. Guidance from the State Department of Education has shifted from short term closure to longer-term distance learning. It is likely that the closure will be extensive so we are shifting our plan to engage students and families in distance learning indefinitely. Distance learning days will count as regular school days. We will begin distance learning on Monday, March 23, 2020.

In the coming days, each school principal will communicate with families regarding the distribution of Chromebooks and the detailed plan for each school.  Call your child’s school as soon as possible if you do not currently have internet access or need any other accommodations. Please visit this page for information on how to get free internet for the next two months.

• Andrew Avenue Elementary: 203-720-5221 | lisa.lachance@naugatuck.k12.ct.us
• Hop Brook Elementary: 203-720-5231 | kathryn.taylor@naugatuck.k12.ct.us
• Maple Hill Elementary: 203-720-5236 | cheryl.kane@naugatuck.k12.ct.us
• Salem Elementary: 203-720-5242 | tiffany.deitelbaum@naugatuck.k12.ct.us
• Western Elementary: 203-720-5244 | brenda.goodrich@naugatuck.k12.ct.us
• Cross Street Intermediate: 203-720-5227 | melissa.cooney@naugatuck.k12.ct.us
• Hillside Intermediate: 203-720-5260 | johnna.hunt@naugatuck.k12.ct.us
• City Hill Middle School: 203-720-5250 | eileen.mezzo@naugatuck.k12.ct.us
• Naugatuck High School: 203-720-5400 | john.harris@naugatuck.k12.ct.us

Our goal is to be partners in this process to ensure that all of our students are engaged in meaningful learning during this period. We will need your support and your children will need your encouragement.  

This week we will be preparing and distributing Chromebooks.

The last day of school is now scheduled for June 11, 2020. 

While details of each school plan will be shared by the principals, here is the general outline for our plan: 

• This week: Preparing and distributing Chromebooks (K-12), supporting families who need access to the internet, and developing our virtual learning plan.
• March 23-27: Building capacity of staff, introduce learning plan and platforms to students, begin distance learning, and ensure connection with 100% of our students.
• March 30 - April 3: Increasing staff and student capacity to learn in a virtual setting. Ensure 100% student engagement.
• April 6th - until further notice: Continue strengthening our distance learning with 100% engagement.

We will communicate more information as it becomes available. 

This is from the governor's press release:

Governor Lamont, in consultation with State Education Commissioner Miguel Cardona, today announced that he soon plans to sign an executive order extending the date for which classes at all public schools statewide remain canceled until at least May 20.

“Out of the best interests of the health and safety of students, teachers, and staff, we feel this is the best approach at this time,” Governor Lamont said. “We’ll continue consulting with our public health experts and education officials in the coming weeks as the situation continues to change. I want everyone to know that this is done out of an abundance of caution, and our education officials will continue to speak with school districts to help amplify their learn-from-home initiatives during this difficult time.”

The governor plans to sign the order in the coming days.