The Jersey City, Guttenberg, Secaucus, and West New York Public Schools are sticking with remote learning next week as COVID-19 cases continue to be on the upswing in the region.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“As educators, our district affirms the parents’ sentiment that in person learning is best, it is best for children … The current New Jersey Department of Education guidelines requires a 10 day quarantine,” Jersey City Deputy Superintendent Dr. Norma Fernandez said in a YouTube video posted last night.
“Since the CDC has not applied the recent isolation and quarantine time frames for the K-12 schools, for us pre-K to 12, this reality makes it necessary for students to remain with virtual instruction next week from Monday through Friday.”
Guttenberg Superintendent of Schools Michelle Rosenberg said on the BOE website that remote learning via Google Classrooms will continue next week due to high COVID-19 positivity rates.
Secaucus Acting Superintendent Daniela Riser said in a message to families that high positivity rates among students and staff have lead to significant faculty shortages that will make virtual learning essential next week.
“The principals and administrators have been covering classes and, often, combining them in large available spaces in order for the school buildings to operate. I feel that this is neither a sustainable practice going forward, nor is it educationally sound,” she wrote.
“Although I do believe these infection rates are community-driven, and few, if any, are contracting COVID-19 in our classrooms through our ‘no mask removal’ procedures this week, we are struggling to operate our schools in a safe and effective manner when they are not adequately staffed.”
In West New York, Superintendent of Schools Clara Brito Herrera wrote to parents and guardians that after consulting with their health department, high COVID-19 rates will keep students home one more week.
The four districts added that the current plan is to return to in person learning on Tuesday, January 18th, since the prior day is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
As of this writing, the Bayonne, Harrison, Hoboken, and East Newark Public Schools, along with the Hudson County Schools of Technology, will resume in person learning on Monday.
