40 Percent Of Bridgewater Parents Choose To Keep Kids Home

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — 40 percent of Bridgewater-Raritan parents have chosen to opt-out of in-person instruction and elect to have their child remain at home for virtual learning.

Parents had until last week to make a final decision with the majority of the more than 8,000 students chose to return to school in September.

Here is a breakdown of the results, according to the Bridgewater-Raritan Regional Board of Education:

• 4,988 - In Person
• 3,361 - Virtual
• 8,349 - Grand Total

For parents who opted out of in-person learning, students can not return to in-person instruction until Nov. 13.

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The district released its reopening plan two weeks ago, which includes two options: fully virtual or a hybrid model.

The hybrid model splits students into groups and divides the week into a mix of in-person learning and virtual learning days.

The schedules presented consist of the following, according to the district:

Grades PreK-8

• Four-hour in-person day and virtual instructional hybrid day
• AA/V/BB schedule - this schedule will divide students into two groups (cohorts) within each school. Group A will attend school in person on Monday and Tuesday while Group B will attend virtually on the same days. Group B will then attend school in person on Thursday and Friday, while Group A attends virtually. Both Groups will attend school virtually on Wednesday.

High School Grades 9-12

• Based upon previous data received from surveys, it was the district's intent to keep all schools on the same schedule; however, the HS population exceeds the number of students who can be accommodated in two groups. In order to maintain safety for students and staff, the HS will have a three-cohort group rotation as defined below:
• Groups 1, 2, & 3. Rotation as follows 1-1, 2- 2, 3 and 3, 1-1, 2-2 - the population of HS students who elect to attend an in-person/virtual hybrid day will be divided into three groups. Each group will attend school for Periods 1-4 or 6-9 rotating daily for all three groups. There will be no period 5. For example:

1. Week 1: On Monday, Group 1 will attend in-school, periods 1-4 while Groups 2 and 3 attend virtually from home.
2. On Tuesday, Group 1 will attend in-school, periods 6-9 while Groups 2 and 3 attend virtually from home.
3. On Wednesday, Group 2 will attend in-school, periods 1-4 while Groups 1 and 3 attend virtually from home.
4. On Thursday, Group 2 will attend in-school, periods 6-9 while Groups 2 and 3 attend virtually from home.
5. On Friday, Group 3 will attend in-school, periods 1-4 while Groups 1 and 2 attend virtually from home.
6. Week 2: On Monday, Group 3 will attend in-school periods 6-9 while Groups 1 and 2 attend virtually from home, and so on.

Distance Learning only

• BRRSD is prepared to provide students with an authentic and engaging virtual/remote learning experience. There will be a combination of synchronous (live instruction) and asynchronous (independent work at various times) opportunities that will allow students to explore and engage in meaningful learning experiences that are aligned to the curriculum and connected to standards.
• Students will meet with their classroom and related-arts teachers for meaningful interactions that include time for learning and social engagement.

For special education students, Individualized Education Plans will be used to drive program decisions for each student to meet their goals and objectives. The delivery of that instruction will mirror the general education program for students to the greatest extent possible.

Additionally, the district will be taking precautions inside the buildings including:

• Every classroom is set up with desks set six feet apart to maintain social distancing;
• All hallways will be clearly marked as either one-way, or two one-way lanes;
• Hand sanitizers will be available in every classroom, isolation rooms will be discreet and private for symptomatic students;
• Student bathroom facilitates will be monitored to control the number of students using the facility at a time and water fountains will be turned off with water filling stations remaining available for students or staff who have their own refillable container;
• Thorough cleanings of schools will take place each afternoon and on Wednesdays in schools housing the pre-k 8 students;
• Buses will also be cleaned daily.
• Students who require one-on-one aides cannot be kept six feet away from their aide; therefore, appropriate PPE including masks, face shield, gowns and gloves will have to be worn by staff when six feet apart cannot be maintained.

See below to view the entire reopening plan:

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