Thursday, September 24, 2020
www.plainvillecitizen.com
Volume 19, Number 33
Free school meals through Dec. 31
Library adapts to new protocols
Plainville Community Schools students will receive breakfast and lunch at no cost each school day through the end of 2020, according to district Food Services Director Ashley Onion.
The Plainville Public Library fully reopened July 27 after implementing many changes to maintain the building’s health, but patron visits are still far fewer than pre-pandemic times.
“During this challenging time, Food and Nutrition Services is delighted USDA temporarily extended breakfast and lunch at no charge to all students until Dec. 31. It is extremely important for students to have access to healthy and nutritious meals on a daily basis,” said Onion, who came to Plainville this year after serving as Food Services Director in Watertown. Through the free meal program, Plainville students – both those attending school onsite and those participating in remote learning –receive one breakfast
Superintendent Steven LePage noted, ”Students need to have their basic needs for food and nutrition met in order to be fully available and ready for learning. When one’s stomach is growling, it is difficult to focus on other things, such as learning. We are grateful for this opportunity to extend food and nutrition options to all students who need it.” For questions regarding the free meals program or the food service program in general, contact Ashley Onion: 860-793-3234; oniona@ plainvilleschools.org. — Press Release
According to library Director Trish Tomlinson, the library never considered itself to be “closed” as staff continued to See Library, A17
The Plainville Public Library fully reopened on July 27, but Library Director Trish Tomlinson said most people continue to use the curbside pickup option rather than coming inside. Plainville library, Facebook
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
It’s a fourth-and-long situation By Greg Lederer Record-Journal staff
For the state football community, the news came swiftly last Wednesday. A day earlier than they had originally scheduled to meet, the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference Board of Control came together and decided for the second time to cancel 11on-11 high school football this fall. “My son texted me that he saw the news on Twitter,”
said Platt coach Jason Bruenn. “It is frustrating. You can probably run the whole gamut of emotions at this point.” The decision ended an extensive back-and-forth process between the CIAC and state agencies. In July, the CIAC came up with a gradual plan of playing football amid the coronavirus pandemic, but the Connecticut Department of Public Health and Governor Ned Lamont both recommended that the
sport be moved to next year when more medical information would be available. The CIAC originally canceled tackle football on Sept. 3, but after players staged a statewide rally on Sept. 9 in Hartford, Lamont asked the organization to meet with DPH and state officials two days later at the state capitol. The CIAC presented mitigating strategies like different equipment and rule changes See Football, A12 R233461
The United States Department of Agriculture recently made the announcement, which extends meals at no charge for all Plainville students age 18 and younger.
and one lunch per-student, per-school day. On in-school learning days, meals are available at each school. On remote learning days, meals can be picked up between 9:15 and 9:45 a.m. at Plainville High School. Breakfast and lunch is distributed at the high school entrance near the flag pole. Only students, parents or guardians can pick up the meals.
By Faith Williams Special to The Citizen