CT Reopens Adapt, Advance, Achieve | Page 3

ii Adapt, Advance, Achieve: Connecticut’s Plan to Learn and Grow Together 1. Acknowledgments The Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) and members of the State Board of Education would like to express our sincere gratitude to everyone who contributed to this document. This work reflects the input of classroom teachers, school counselors, principals, superintendents, parents, students, and facilities leaders across the state of the Connecticut. Their input was instrumental in the development of this document. Specifically, we would like to extend our appreciation to: • The voices of thousands of parents and students who participated in surveys • Connecticut PK–12 Reopen Committee • Reopen Regional Advisory Teams • Learn from Home Task Force • Office of the Governor • Connecticut Office of Policy and Management • Connecticut Department of Public Health • Connecticut Office of Early Childhood Education Additionally, the leadership of the CSDE would like to acknowledge the incredible work of the entire department staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. The creation of the materials compiled in this document would not have been possible without the contributions of each member of the CSDE team. We also recognize that this pandemic will forever change the way public education looks in our state and across the nation. The success of our districts going forward will depend directly on the work of our dedicated leaders and staff. State of Connecticut Ned Lamont, Governor Connecticut State Department of Education Dr. Miguel A. Cardona Commissioner of Education Desi Nesmith Deputy Commissioner Charlene Russell-Tucker Deputy Commissioner Laura J. Stefon Chief of Staff Communications Office Matthew J. Falconer Editor Andrea N. Wadowski Graphic Designer Connecticut State Board of Education Allan B. Taylor, Chairperson Dr. Estela López, Vice Chairperson Erin D. Benham Bonnie E. Burr Milan Chand Sophia H. Chin Erik M. Clemons Dr. Karen Dubois-Walton Elwood Exley Donald F. Harris Martha Paluch Prou Awilda Reasco Malia K. Sieve Mark E. Ojakian, Ex-Officio Robert J. Trefry, Ex Officio The Connecticut State Department of Education does not discriminate in any employment practice, education program, or educational activity on the basis of age, ancestry, color, criminal record, gender identity or expression, genetic information, intellectual disability, learning disability, marital status, mental disability/disorder (past or present history thereof), national origin, physical disability (included but not limited to blindness), race, religious creed, retaliation (for complaining of conduct believed to be discriminatory), sex (including pregnancy, sexual harassment, and workplace hazards to the reproductive system), sexual orientation, or any other basis prohibited by Connecticut state and/or federal nondiscrimination laws unless there is a bona fide occupational qualification excluding persons in any of the above protected groups. Inquiries regarding the Connecticut State Department of Education’s nondiscrimination policies should be directed to: Levy Gillespie Equal Employment Opportunity Director/Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator Connecticut State Department of Education 450 Columbus Blvd., Hartford, CT 06103 860-807-2071 [email protected]