Bernards Twp. Schools To Have 'Firm' Reopening Plan By July 23

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Bernards Township School District is currently working on a plan to physically reopen schools in September amid the coronavirus. Superintendent Nick Markarian is hoping to have firm recommendations for a reopening plan by the next Board of Education meeting set for July 23.

"I know it's an aggressive timeline but we want to give parents, as well as the staff, time to prepare," Markarian said at the previous board meeting.

The district has already sent out surveys to teachers, staff, and parents to get an idea of where they stand about returning to school in September.

Of the 545 teachers and staff members who responded to the survey a total of 84.4 percent said they intended to return to work in the school, while 15.6 percent said they would work remotely.

Looking at the parent's survey, 80 percent said they will be sending their children to school in September while 19 percent said they would not send their kids to school. And 0.3 percent of parents said they would be withdrawing their child from the Bernards Township School system.

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Markarian pointed to the district's instructional goal, "to return students and staff members to Bernards Township Schools for as much 'in school' instruction as can be safely implemented."

During the July 8 meeting, Markarian introduced some examples of Blended Learning plans the district was looking into. These plans are a combination of in-school and virtual instruction.

Here are some of the possible scenarios proposed:

Grades 6-12 (William Annin Middle School and Ridge High School):

• Students would be split into two groups and alternate days when they went to school. One group of students would be in school Monday and Thursday while the second group did virtual instruction. The second group would then be in school on Tuesday and Friday while the first group had virtual instruction.
• Wednesdays would be completely virtual for both groups.
• A third group encompassing "students with the greatest need for in-person" instruction would be allowed to go to school every day in small groups. These students include those studying vocational skills, special needs, English learning, etc.
• The school day includes a 9-period day.

The state has also suggested swapping the two groups by going to school every other week or every two weeks in school and two weeks virtual. Marakarian said the district is leaning more towards alternating days during the week.

Kindergarten - Grade 5:

Option 1:

• Elementary AM and PM session all students coming every day.
• AM session 3+ hours
• 1+ hour: cleaning and lunch
• PM session 3+ hours.
• Class is divided in half, students follow AM/PM schedule equally

Option 2:

• Similar to Option 1, students would be divided in half where one group comes in on Monday and Thursday and the other group comes in on Tuesday and Friday. On days the students are not in school there would be virtual instruction.
• Wednesdays would be virtual for both groups.

Option 3:

• Similar to Option 2. Split the students into 2 groups and have alternate days. Additionally, Wednesdays would be alternated with in-school instruction every week between the two groups.
• There would be an early release. Students would leave before the Middle and High School students, roughly about 2 hours earlier.

A firm recommendation for a reopening plan is expected to be presented at the next virtual Board of Education meeting set for Thursday, July 23 at 7 p.m.

To view the July 8 meeting discussing the above plans check out the video below:

• Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know
• See more stories about New Jersey's coronavirus recovery.

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