Add Union City and West New York to the list of schools that will resume class via virtual learning next month after Gov. Phil Murphy (D) announced school districts could do so under certain circumstances.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“Due to continuing concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, and after careful consideration of the feedback from all of you, our staff, and the community, we have made the difficult decision to not open the Union City Public Schools for in-person learning in
September and to move to entirely virtual learning for the beginning of the 2020-21 school year,” Union City Superintendent of Schools Silvia Abbato said in a letter to parents posted on the school district’s website today.
“This decision is based, as always, on our primary mission: protecting the health and well-being of our students and staff, while still providing an excellent education to our students.”
She continued that “grab and go” meals will still be accessible for students that purchase breakfast and for lunch, that the plan is to continue to a hybrid learning plan as soon as possible, and that anyone with further questions can call 201 271-2289 – extension 1.
In her own letter, West New York Superintendent of Schools Clara Brito Herrera said that they will also be erring on the side of caution and beginning the scholastic year remotely.
” … We will be temporarily adjusting our reopening plan for all West New York students to begin the year remotely. We have provided the community with a comprehensive reopening plan that will now be phased in throughout the school year,” she wrote.
“As more guidelines are released from the State, we will ensure that West New York is in full compliance.”
The West New York Board of Education approved a multi-faceted learning plan that was criticized by the local teachers union since they felt it was too soon to consider returning to the classroom, as HCV first reported.
Since last week, the Jersey City, Bayonne, and North Bergen Public Schools have all announced that their students will utilize virtual learning until at least October 1st.
Murphy said this week that in order to begin the year with all remote programs, schools districts must show they can meet all health and safety standards upon the return of students and staff, along with an anticipated date to return to the classrooms.
