Wilton Public Schools

395 Danbury Road

Wilton, Connecticut

January 20, 2021

Dear Parents, Guardians, Caregivers, Students, and Staff:

Late yesterday, it came to my attention that several social gatherings involving members of the Wilton High School community were held over this past weekend.  One or more individuals associated with these gatherings began exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 and tested positive days later.  Since learning this information yesterday evening, we have been heavily engaged in contact tracing alongside the town health department. We know that at least three individuals connected to these gatherings are confirmed COVID-19 positive, and a number of others have begun to show symptoms. We are very concerned about the number of individuals who were involved in these events and are concerned about the potential for greater spread in our high school and community.

Wilton Health Director Barrington Bogle has directed Wilton High School to transition to remote learning beginning tomorrow, Thursday, 1/21/21 and remain in remote learning through Wednesday, 2/3/21. Additionally, all athletic and co-curricular activities will cease through 2/2/21.  Athletic practices can resume on Wednesday, 2/3/21, and Cohort B students can return to in-person learning beginning Thursday, 2/4/21. 

While we have been engaged in contact tracing, we have learned through officials at the health department that they are experiencing difficulty gathering the information necessary for this important process. We are asking all families who participated in any of these events to share that information so the town can contact trace thoroughly.  Please call the Wilton High School nurse’s office at (203) 762-0381 ext. 6227 or the Wilton Health Department at (203) 563-0174 or (203) 834-6260 (after hours) if you have information about these gatherings.  

Given how little is currently known about the potential impact of these events, Health Director Barrington Bogle is advising all high school students and staff to remain at home and carefully monitor for symptoms until contact tracing is completed. I will send out further correspondence when that process is complete.  Anyone who develops symptoms should quarantine immediately, consult with a physician, and contact the Wilton High School nurse or the Wilton Health Department. 

All students who attended these gatherings should quarantine immediately. Siblings and other family members who reside with students who are confirmed positive or are exhibiting symptoms should also quarantine.  Members of the household who are positive should isolate from others within the home to the greatest extent possible. 

Our district’s COVID tracker has been updated to note new positive cases in our school community today. Please note that the case at Cider Mill is, to the best of our knowledge, unrelated to the events in the Wilton High School community and did not lead to quarantine for other members of our community.  Our new cases today are listed below. 

• Wilton High School - 1
• Cider Mill School - 1 

I understand that the announcement of our school closure may surprise and disappoint many of you, but I know that you understand our commitment to prioritizing everyone’s health and safety at this critical time.  I also want to highlight the fact that we wish to continue to partner with all members of our community, without judgment, to make the best decisions possible to keep our community safe.  Thank you for your support.  

Sincerely, 

Kevin J. Smith, Ph. D.

Superintendent of Schools