Berkeley School District Plans For Maximal In-Person Return

BERKELEY, NJ — The Berkeley Township School District will plan for a "maximal attendance, in-person return," according to Superintendent Dr. James D. Roselli. As officials develop the reopening plan, Roselli says students and staff will be required to wear masks during the school day.

Officials will share details of their plan on or before Aug. 3, Roselli wrote in a letter to parents and guardians.

Roselli asks that parents send their child to school each day with a mask that covers their nose and mouth. The district is seeking donations from businesses but currently only has a limited supply of disposable replacement masks.

In the meantime, parents should prepare their children by doing the following, Roselli said:

• Have your child practice wearing a mask for extended periods of time.
• Remind your child to wash their hands before putting on a mask.
• Teach your child about the importance of social distancing.

Central Regional officials will the school district's reopening plan to students and parents starting Aug. 1, Superintendent Dr. Dr. Triantafillos Parlapanides told Patch last week.

The district must submit its proposal to the DOE by July 30. Then officials will announce the plan to students and parents starting Aug. 1. Parlapanides will hold meetings in person and through Zoom. Read more: Central Regional, Berkeley Schools Weigh Options For Fall

Governor Phil Murphy has issued a list of rules and guidelines for reopening schools this fall amid the coronavirus outbreak. He's said that, right now, he favors going back to school, but he could "flip the switch" if there is an uptick in cases. Read more: Gov. Murphy Issues NJ School Reopening Rules Amid Coronavirus

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Patch sent a non-scientific poll to its New Jersey readers on school reopenings. Of the nearly 27,000 responses, 54.7 percent said it's "too soon" to return students for in-person learning this fall. Nearly 34 percent had the opposing opinion, saying students should return.

Those who responded were split on this question: Will you send your own children back to school?

Of the nearly 27,000 responses, 34.8 percent suggested they plan to send their children back to school, but it would depend on how coronavirus cases are trending in New Jersey. Nearly 34 percent said they won't send their children back no matter what, while nearly 32 percent said they will. Read more: Should NJ Schools Reopen? Here's What Nearly 27K Residents Think

Murphy did announce on Monday that New Jersey will offer a remote-learning option for schools amid the coronavirus outbreak. Read more: NJ To Offer Remote-Learning Option For Schools Amid Coronavirus

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