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Parents in Oxford react to delayed start of school

The decision was made earlier this week to delay the start of the academic year to after Labor Day, at the earliest.

OXFORD, Connecticut — An unexpected extension to summer for students in Oxford is throwing a wrench in parents’ plans. 

Next Wednesday was supposed to mark the first day of school for students in Oxford, but due to unsafe road conditions and minimal bus routes that date has been postponed.

While some are welcoming the delay, parents have expressed concerns over what this will mean for their kids later in the school year. 

“I don’t think that the kids should have to be impacted by it in the sense that it adds on to the end of the year or takes away any of the vacations because this is an unfortunate situation that nobody planned for,” said Diana Kowalski, who has two children attending Oxford Public Schools.

“My daughter’s really happy it’s pushed back now, but I don’t think she realizes she’s not going to be happy when she’s in school until July,” added another Oxford parent, Emily Paloian. 

Paloian has three children enrolled in Oxford Public Schools, two of whom have special needs.  

“They require aids on the bus, and we’re right on Little Punkup, you know, right where 34 is out, so [I don't know] how they’re going to get the van to us or how I’m going to get one on the bus, the other on the bus. I work from home; leaving my computer is difficult,” said Paloian.

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Parents have praised school officials for communicating and including them in the solution process. A survey has been sent out to gauge which form of transportation would work best for families.

“Bringing our kids ourselves, community drop-offs. I think that a lot of parents will probably feel the most comfortable with bringing their kids directly to school. I think community drop-offs will cause a lot more confusion, but whatever helps to start the school year for these children is a positive,” said Kowalski.

Dr. Robert Miller, superintendent of Oxford Public Schools, said the district is doing all it can to assist families. 

“We’re trying to work with our before and after school organization that provides childcare at our elementary schools, just see if they can provide additional coverage to those families that are in need. And we’ll continue to provide whatever support we can to help the families here,” said Miller.

An exact date for the first day of school has yet to be announced, but it would be after Labor Day at the earliest.

RELATED: Congressman Himes holds town hall meeting with Oxford residents in wake of flooding damage

RELATED: Damaged roads, extended closures impacting dozens of businesses in Oxford

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Kaelee Collins is a multimedia journalist for FOX61 News. She can be reached at kcollins@fox61.com. Follow her on X, and Instagram.

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