The first day of school for pupils at Clinton Public Schools is Wednesday, Sept. 1. While the 2020-’21 school year was anything but normal due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with students were shuffled between being in school and learning remotely and sports and other extracurriculars affected, this year administrators are hopeful that school will more resemble a normal school year while also taking precautions to keep students and staff safe.

As per the recommendation of the CDC and as the result of an executive order signed by Governor Ned Lamont, masks will again be required for all students, staff, and visitors upon entering school. Masks can be removed during recess, eating or drinking, when outdoors, and for mask breaks.

Social distancing measures will be taken in the classrooms, handwashing and sanitation encouraged, and changing classrooms will be done in orderly manners to reduce chances of transmission.

In the event of a positive COVID test, that person will need to quarantine. A person who is a close contact but is fully vaccinated and not showing any symptoms will not need to quarantine.

School sports, clubs, and extracurricular activities will be back this year as well.

As has been the case for virtually everything related to the virus, the guidelines are fluid and subject to change based on Centers for Disease Control & Prevention and Connecticut Department of Public Health guidelines.

The latest updates for Clinton public schools can be found at www.clintonpublic.net.