The school day on December 14 will be a remote learning day for Newtown Public School students, as approved by the Board of Education December 7. Superintendent of Schools Dr Lorrie Rodrigue followed up with an announcement to parents the following day.

Before the school board voted on the decision, Rodrigue explained that board officials recently approved the use of two of the public school district’s 182 days to be used as remote learning days in lieu of snow days, when and if possible this school year.

“As you know, there has been a series of anonymous threats ... across Connecticut, and certainly following the tragedy in Michigan,” Rodrigue said. “This has shaken many schools.”

In light of growing concerns, Rodrigue proposed using one of the two approved remote learning days on December 14, instead of on a snow day.

The day before, on December 6, there was an incident at Newtown High School (NHS) that involved local police and NHS Principal Dr Kimberly Longobucco sending an announcement to parents regarding the incident, which reportedly involved a piece of paper referencing 12/14.

“It was not deemed a credible threat,” said Rodrigue.

The superintendent continued, “Dr Longobucco did an outstanding job, not only in her letter,” but also in responding to parents who called the school.

“We have responded to every parent via e-mail, and Dr Longobucco talked to many parents to describe the process,” said Rodrigue.

During part of the meeting’s public participation, resident Christine Wilford spoke about the recent threat at NHS. Wilford said though she sent e-mails asking what the piece of paper said, “No one will respond.”

Saying many have severe post-traumatic stress disorder from the events of 12/14, Wilford continued, “It is not up to the schools to decide whether or not there is a threat to my child. We have a right to know what this threat was, what this piece of paper says. Period. It is not right for that to be kept a secret.”

The Request

While Rodrigue highlighted the recent incident in her report to the school board, she also said she would have requested the use of a remote learning day for December 14 anyway.

“Three years ago, as you recall ... we had to evacuate Sandy Hook Elementary [School], and the reason for that is when you have kids in school, and I mean in school, and you have a threat on the anniversary, it was really horrific that day, I can tell you,” said Rodrigue.

The school district “has always opted to have students in school” for annual date of the shooting at Sandy Hook School on 12/14 to keep students engaged, the superintendent said.

“That said, it does create and retraumatize staff, students, and families, when they have to evacuate a building due to a threat,” Dr Rodrigue said. “And when they are in school, we can’t take that chance.”

This year, Rodrigue said she thinks the likelihood of something happening on “that day” is “far greater."

Board of Education members discussed the proposal before voting on it, and member Dan Cruson Jr pointed out that he thought it was important for people to know that there had been plans for extra security measures as well.

The school board unanimously approved the remote learning day.

The Superintendent’s Letter

Rodrigue then drafted and sent a letter to Newtown families and staff on December 8. The full letter is as follows:

Dear Newtown Families and Staff,

As you know, we are approaching the ninth anniversary of 12/14 and this day is always difficult for so many staff, students, and families. Aside from the emotion this day evokes, we often have to deal with calls or anonymous threats that raise levels of stress for the entire school community. In recent days, schools across the State continue to face threats following the tragedy in Michigan.

At last night’s meeting, I proposed that we move to a remote learning day on Tuesday, December 14. Three years ago, we evacuated Sandy Hook School due to a threatening call to the main office. Anonymous threats add to the level of anxiety, and our goal this year is to minimize the level of stress on students, parents, and staff given the current climate. We plan to use a “compacted” schedule, which will begin an hour later and dismiss an hour earlier. Details for the remote learning day (including when devices will be sent home) will be shared with you by your respective building principals tomorrow, Thursday, December 9.

When we have been in school on 12/14, we have included only age-appropriate messaging in remembrance of the day. At the lower levels, we have never discussed the anniversary with our younger students and have left that up to parents.

Therefore, our message should be simple for our younger students. The district has decided to use a remote learning day on 12/14 and students will be using their devices to practice their skills as digital learners for the first time this year. This will prepare them if we should use another remote day for a weather-related closure. For secondary students who may be well aware of the issues currently impacting school districts, our messaging will be that we have moved to remote learning to avoid any disruption or distraction to education on 12/14.

As we have always done for grades [seven to 12], the day will begin with a moment of silence. Should any questions or dialogue occur in remote classrooms regarding 12/14, teachers will be prepared to have private conversations with children and their parents, as appropriate. Private discussions and remembrances of 12/14 can still occur in the home as parents see fit.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the victims of 12/14. We know this is a very emotional time of year, and we hope that moving to a remote learning day will relieve some of the anxiety and stress that often accompanies this day.

Respectfully,

Dr Lorrie Rodrigue, Superintendent

Education Reporter Eliza Hallabeck can be reached at eliza@thebee.com.