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I am writing to support the Board of Education budget as proposed which includes a change for healthy school start times for all our children.
I am the mother of four children, a 15-year-old New Canaan High School freshman, an 11-year-old in 5th grade at Saxe, a 5-year-old in kindergarten at South and a 3-year-old enjoying another year at home with me. I will be in the New Canaan public school system for 14 more years.
This past fall I transitioned three children to three new schools. Like many of us, I am regularly dealing with changes to schedules; having children in quarantine, attending school in person, remotely, morning kindergarten, hybrid 2-day a week schedule, hybrid 75% schedule, every other Wednesday, half day Wednesdays, it has been quite the year for all of us. I actually say that last sentence with a big smile on my face, because, thanks to [Superintendent of Schools] Dr. [Bryan] Luizzi, my children have enjoyed a significant amount of in-person full time learning this year. Something many of my friends in other places can only wish for. My children are surviving the pandemic, and actually all are thriving at school thanks to the work of Dr. Luizzi and all the NCPS staff. The mitigation strategies in place at our schools, following CDC guidelines and best medical advice are working.