Bridgewater Increases In-Person School Days, Reduces Cohorts

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — The Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District is increasing the amount of in-person instruction days for students by eliminating or reducing the number of cohorts. Changes are expected to begin on Monday.

"From the summer to the present, the district’s goal has been to move prudently toward a full day of instruction as well as more in-person instruction for those families who choose it," said the district in a letter on Tuesday.

The hybrid schedule changes include:

High School

Beginning on Monday, the high school will move from three in-person cohorts (A/B/C) to two in-person cohorts (A/B) without compromising any of its safety protocols.

Kindergarten

Beginning on Feb. 15 and March 1, Kindergarten will move from two in-person cohorts (A/B) to one in-person cohort.

"Some steps will need to happen before this change can be made effective and for that reason, it is planned to begin in mid- to late February," according to the district.

In-Person Wednesdays

Beginning the week of March 1, students participating in the PreK-8 hybrid schedule will move from virtual Wednesdays to in-person instruction. There will also be no extension of virtual instruction into the afternoon.

This change to in-person Wednesdays will affect deep cleaning at the district as it used to be conducted when students and staff were virtual.

Currently, the district used electrostatic backpack sprayers to disinfect spaces when a person in that room tests positive or becomes symptomatic. In order to accommodate the transition from virtual Wednesdays to in-person Wednesdays, more of these electrostatic sprayers will be in each school and used in every room to disinfect each classroom in the evenings between cohorts.

Quarantine Statistics

The district noted that from October when the schools reopened for in-person instruction to present there has been gradual depression of cases since the holidays.

"It is our hope that with the continued vigilance of all stakeholders, this downward trend will continue. Please note that our spikes have come almost immediately after periods of time when people tend to gather and socialize, beginning with Halloween celebrations through the holidays. Recognizing that the Super Bowl traditionally presents another opportunity to gather, we encourage all individuals to continue to practice safe measures so that our opportunity as a school district to remain open is optimal," said the district.

Here is the latest breakdown of the cases listed by school and the number of cases since all schools reopened for in-person learning on Oct. 12:

• Adamsville - 14
• Bradley Gardens - 4
• Crim - 12
• Hamilton - 8
• Kennedy - 8
• Milltown - 7
• Van Holten - 3
• Hillside - 13
• Eisenhower - 18
• Middle School - 33
• High School - 89
• District Support Staff - 11

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