Bridgewater Schools To Close For 2 Weeks, Start Alternate Plan

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — All Bridgewater-Raritan Regional Schools will close through March 27 and implement a distance learning plan due to new coronavirus concerns, school officials announced Thursday night.

All schools are already off on Friday. Beginning on Monday all school buildings will be closed and the district will be implementing a distance learning plan through Friday, March 27. All field trips, school events, and activities are also postponed, effective Monday.

"We will evaluate the situation each week and, if necessary, extend our distance learning program," BRRSD Superintendent Russell M. Lazovick said.

More information on the district's distance learning program will be sent out to families in the coming days. The new program includes supporting families with technology needs as well as maintaining programs, including free and reduced lunch and special services.

"Our first priority continues to be the health and well-being of our students, teachers, and staff members. As you know, we have been proactively preparing to continue delivery of instruction through distance learning since the NJDOE indicated, last week, that if we have a plan in place for consistent home instructional services while closed, such days would count toward our 180-day requirement," Lazovick said. "Public health officials continue to advise that social distancing is the most effective strategy to prevent the spread of COVID-19. We recognize that school closures will create challenges for our families and our community, but we also recognize our responsibility to address this public health concern."

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Warren Township, Watchung, Green Brook and Watchung Hills Regional High Schools also made a similar announcement. These schools will close through April 13 and also implement distance learning. (See Related: Warren Schools To Close Through April 12, Start Alternate Plan)

The school closure announcements follow an update on Thursday that a Bridgewater resident was among six new presumptive positive cases of the coronavirus, state officials announced. This would be the first case in Somerset County. (See Related: Bridgewater Man Could Be 1st Somerset County Coronavirus Case)

The six new cases bring the total number of cases statewide to 29 who have been diagnosed with the coronavirus in New Jersey as of 2:3o p.m. and health officials say the virus may be "community-spread" in the state. Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

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