After Long Hiatus, Students Return to Ellington, Somers Schools

ELLINGTON-SOMERS, CT — After nearly six months of relative isolation due to the coronavirus pandemic, students returned to school buildings in Ellington and Somers Tuesday morning under a hybrid learning plan.

The plan approved by Ellington school officials calls for high school students to be divided into two cohorts. The Purple Team attend classes in person on Mondays and Tuesdays, while the Gold Team will have in-school classes on Thursdays and Fridays. All other days, students will have remote learning.

Middle school students are grouped into 20 cohorts (five cohorts per team), assigned to a homeroom classroom and attend all classes together, with the exception of students receiving specialized instruction. These cohorts are assigned within each team, with students organized by their world language selection. Specific information about each town school is available here.

Board of Education Chairman Mike Purcaro said "it appeared everything went very well" on opening day, with "a high degree of compliance with masks and social distancing." He added bus and parent dropoffs seemed "flawless with lines long but manageable."

"Staff, students and parents want to get into a routine, and they want to be together," Superintendent of Schools Scott Nicol said. "[Opening day was] very calm; a few kids were nervous but that's to be expected."

Nicol and Purcaro agreed opening the academic year with the hybrid model was a good decision.

"Our schools are at the heart of our community, and our children get more than an education in our schools," Purcaro said.

Nicol said about 18.5 percent of students opted out of attending classes in person, selecting a full remote learning program instead.

In Somers, meanwhile, students are also divided into cohorts. Cohort A, consisting of students with last names beginning with A-J, will be on campus every Monday and Thursday. Cohort B, made up of students with last names starting with K-Z, will be on campus every Tuesday and Friday. Both cohorts will alternate Wednesdays for in-person classes.

Superintendent of Schools Brian Czapla said about 11 percent of Somers students chose to continue their education remotely.

To register for free Ellington and Somers news alerts and more, click here.