WESTPORT — Owing to the surge in COVID numbers, Supt. of Schools Thomas Scarice has extended winter break for students to include Monday, Jan. 3, when teachers and staff will instead meet to discuss the situation.

“We believe the professional day for preparation and scenario-planning is prudent,” said Lee Goldstein, Board of Education chair. “Our priorities are the health and safety of our community and in-person learning.”

Scarice wrote in an email to families and staff on Friday afternoon that their staff time Monday will offer a chance to “work collaboratively to develop a range of responses to the changing conditions over the coming weeks.”

“This fluid situation requires thoughtful consideration and this additional day on Monday provides a measure of time to continue planning and assessing actual staffing levels,” he wrote .

Scarice noted that the region is “experiencing infection rates unlike any time since the start of the pandemic,” with more than 300 new cases reported in Westport this past week.

“As the conditions rapidly unfold, guidance from our partners at the state Department of Education and Department of Public Health remain delayed … With limited guidance from the state level, we will work at our local level to develop approaches in the event conditions warrant further interventions and modifications,” he wrote.

Scarice said further information on developments and responses could be expected over the weekend.