Bridgewater-Raritan High School Switches To Virtual For 2 Weeks

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — All students at Bridgewater-Raritan High School will be switching to virtual learning beginning Wednesday after two positive coronavirus cases were reported, school officials said.

"After working with the local and state health department officials to analyze the facts and circumstances of these cases, we have decided to move all students at Bridgewater-Raritan High School to all remote instruction for 14 days effective Wednesday," said Dr. Thomas Ficarra, interim superintendent of schools in a letter to the community Tuesday.

In addition, all athletic and extracurricular activities are also canceled for the next two weeks. All other district schools will remain open.

The high school only just reopened for in-person learning on Nov. 9 after previously switching to virtual for two weeks. The two new cases were reported at the high school within this past week.

Ficarra cited the New Jersey Department of Health Guidance which states that a school building should be closed for 14 days when two or more cases are identified within a 14-day period that occurs across multiple classrooms and a clear connection between the cases cannot be easily identified.

These most recent cases meet this criterion, Ficarra said.

Since Nov. 14, the district has reported the following positive COVID-19 cases: 2 at Adamsville, 1 district staff employee and 2 at the high school.

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

• Adamsville - 3
• Bradley Gardens - 1
• Hamilton - 1
• Kennedy - 2
• Milltown - 2
• Hillside - 2
• Eisenhower - 6
• Middle School - 7
• High School - 26
• District Support Staff - 7

Ficarra is encouraging parents, students, and staff to continue following the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) promoted safeguards, such as:

• Staying home when you are sick;
• Washing hands often with soap for at least 20 seconds;
• Covering coughs and sneezes and properly disposing of tissues;
• Limiting close contact with people who are sick and not sharing food, drinks and utensils;
• Practicing social distancing (staying at least 6 feet apart);
• Wearing a face covering while in school; and
• Continuing to monitor your health for symptoms.

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