Rolling responses to COVID-19 at regional schools

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Region One schools switched to distance learning on March 17, with the last day of in-person instruction on March 13.

Gov. Ned Lamont issued an executive order closing the state’s public schools on March 15. That order was subsequently extended until, on May 5, Lamont ordered the schools closed for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year.

The six K-8 schools in the Region One towns of Cornwall, Falls Village, Kent, North Canaan, Salisbury and Sharon held scaled-down eighth-grade graduation ceremonies outside, with masks and social distance. Housatonic Valley Regional High School’s graduation was held in drive-through fashion at the racetrack at Lime Rock Park.

The schools reopened in August with in-person learning at the K-8 schools, and a hybrid model of in-person and distance learning at the high school. Families had the choice of participating or sticking with distance learning.

Region One Superintendent Lisa Carter (who was interim superintendent until she was voted in by the school boards as superintendent in December) maintained a steady stream of updates regarding positive COVID-19 tests in the various schools, and what if any measures were being taken in mitigation.

Things came to a head in December, however. On Dec. 7, the high school switched from the hybrid schedule to an all-distance schedule, expected to end on Tuesday, Jan.19.

At an emergency meeting of the Region One Board of Education on Dec. 3, Carter said contact tracing for exposure to COVID-19 had become increasingly difficult and complicated; at the same time, more students and families were opting for distance learning anyway. 

With the Thanksgiving break over and the Christmas break approaching, Carter said that it was a good time to go to distance learning for “a short period of time” (roughly six weeks).

And on Dec. 20,  with several middle school teachers at Lee H. Kellogg school in Falls Village out with illness, the decision was made to switch to distance learning for the entire school, starting Dec. 21 and with a planned return to in-person learning on Jan. 5, and later extended to Jan. 19.

Students arrived wearing masks to Salisbury Central School for the first day of in-person classes  in the Region One School District. Photo by Patrick L. Sullivan

Housatonic Valley Regional High School met the spring’s unusual circumstances by holding graduation as a drive-through event held at Lime Rock Park in June 2020. Photo by Patrick L. Sullivan

Students arrived wearing masks to Salisbury Central School for the first day of in-person classes  in the Region One School District. Photo by Patrick L. Sullivan

Latest News

Blues and bloodlines: The Devon Allman Project at Infinity Hall Norfolk

Devon Allman

Venla Shalin

On Friday, Aug. 15, The Devon Allman Project will play Infinity Hall in Norfolk. As the son of the legendary musician Gregg Allman, Devon carries on the family tradition while stepping out on his own.

“We’re honored to keep the tradition alive,” said Allman. “But I don’t play my records and try to compare them to records from 50 years ago. I try to write songs that mean something to me, and hopefully they’ll resonate with other people.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Peggy Ann McEnroe

AMENIA — Peggy Ann McEnroe, 60, a lifelong area resident, passed away surrounded by her family on Aug. 4, 2025, at Vassar Brothers Hospital in Poughkeepsie, New York.Peggy Ann was the owner and operator of Peggy’s Sweet & Savory café in Amenia, New York (formerly known as Back in the Kitchen).

Peggy had a passion for food and travel and her creativity and generosity knew no bounds. Born on Dec. 10, 1964, in Sharon, Connecticut, she was the daughter of the late William Thomas McEnroe and Caroline Ann McEnroe.She was a graduate of Our Lady of Lourdes High School and received her Bachelor of Arts degree from SUNY Purchase.

Keep ReadingShow less
Evelyn Ann Moody Lamberti

WASSAIC — Evelyn Ann Moody Lamberti, 87, passed away July 13, 2025, in Barre, Vermont.

Born on Dec. 13, 1937, in Hartford, Connecticut to Hazen and Helen Moody, she spent her early years in Wassaic, New York and graduated from the first graduating class of Webutuck Central High School in 1955. She attended New Paltz College and then worked for the Dutchess County Supervisors Office in Poughkeepsie, New York.She married David Lamberti on Oct. 10, 1959, in Wassaic and moved to Vermont.

Keep ReadingShow less
Caroline (Lynn) P. Chase

SOUTHFIELD, Mass — Lynn Chase of Southfield, Massachusetts, passed away on July 30, 2025, at Berkshire Medical Center after a courageous seven-month battle with an aggressive cancer. Despite the challenges, Lynn continued to inspire those around her with her strength and determination.

How do you begin to talk about the extraordinary life of Lynn Chase?

Keep ReadingShow less