After fierce public backlash, Jersey City Public Schools to begin reopening on April 29th

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After facing fierce public backlash for announcing that the Jersey City Public Schools would continue remotely via a Sunday robocall, Superintendent of Schools Franklin Walker announcing this evening that schools will being reopening on April 29th.

The Jersey City Board of Education Headquarters at 346 Claremont Ave. Photo via Google Maps.

By John Heinis/Hudson County View

“When The District made the difficult decision to remain closed, that decision was guided by science and the realities of safely staffing a district of 30,000 students for in-person and remote learning simultaneously,” Walker wrote.

“I recently met with Members of the Board and the Teachers’ Union Leadership to further discuss reopening schools. The increased concerns of parents, especially those with young children, have made us reconsider the decision. Starting Thursday, April 29, 2021, we will welcome the students from PK to third grade who selected in-person learning with a 12:45 dismissal.”

Furthermore, students grades 4 through 12 are tentatively scheduled to return on May 10th.

Students that choose to attend class in person will be in school on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, with Wednesday being utilized to clean the schools.

“In terms of making this possible, the superintendent, myself, and union leadership sat down together to figure out the logistics to make the best decision possible for the students of Jersey City,” said Board President Mussab Ali.

Walker had initially said on Sunday’s robocall that schools would not be able to reopen due to a lack of adequate staffing.

That decision drew the ire of teachers, parents, students, staff, local elected leaders, and even Gov. Phil Murphy (D), who said he was “very disappointed” with the situation earlier today.

A parent protest had been planned in front of the BOE headquarters on Claremont Avenue for tomorrow morning, but that will now likely no longer be necessary.


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