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Bridgeport Schools Superintendent Michael Testani said on Thursday, Nov., 12, that although it was his desire to keep schools open, health and safety needed to come first.
Officials said that as of Thursday, there were 119 positive COVID-19 cases in the district including 89 students and 30 staff members at 34 schools.
In a letter to parents, Testain said that although the district had worked tirelessly to maintain in-person teaching the "consistent increase in positive cases of COVID-19 in our community is cause for great concern at this time, as it affects our ability to safely keep our schools adequately staffed and safe for in-person learning."
Testani made the decision after consulting with the Bridgeport Department of Public Health the district made the difficult decision to transition to full remote learning.
"We will re-evaluate the circumstances in three weeks and any necessary adjustments to our schedule," he wrote. "We believe this is the best decision for the Bridgeport Public Schools community at this time."
To help with the transition, the district has been working hard to make sure all students have access to the needed technology.
"At this time, all students have been provided with a device to engage in remote instruction," he said.
During the remote learning period, teachers will report daily to their school building to provide remote instruction to their classes.
The superintendent said it will take the community to stop the spread of the virus and encourage all to wear mask, limit large gatherings, especially during the holidays, and social distance.
"It will take a community effort to get us back to in-person teaching and learning for our children," he added.
During the school shutdown, all schools will provide grab and go meal service daily.
In addition to remote learning, all winter athletics have also been postponed and all extracurricular activities will be virtual.
Parents of students who need to pick up materials from a school must contact the building principal to work out a mutually agreeable time.
Staff and parents must continue to report positive cases of COVID-19 to their building principal.
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