Schools In Caldwells Getting Closer To Coronavirus Reopen Plans

CALDWELLS, NJ — Three public school districts that serve students in Caldwell, North Caldwell and West Caldwell are getting closer to a big decision: what will school look like in the fall when classes restart amid the coronavirus pandemic?

Here’s where the Caldwell-West Caldwell, North Caldwell and West Essex Regional school districts stand as of Monday.

• See related article: NJ Issues School Virtual-Learning Rules, But Big Changes Possible

CALDWELL-WEST CALDWELL

The Caldwell-West Caldwell school district will hold a virtual parent input session via Zoom on Monday, July 27 at 7:30 p.m. See login info here.

On July 16, Caldwell-West Caldwell Superintendent James Heinegg shared the district’s plans for reopening, which he said may change if there’s a spike in COVID-19 cases.

“Per the New Jersey Department of Education directive, we are aiming to complete our plans by August 11, four weeks prior to the first day of school for students on September 8,” Heinegg wrote in a letter to parents and guardians.

Read his full statement here.

According to Heinegg, while final plans are still up in the air, it’s “extremely unlikely” the district will begin the school year with a “normal full-day, in-person instruction for all students.” Instead, there will likely be a mix of remote and in-person classes.

Other changes that students and parents should expect include:

• Mask wearing by all staff and students in the building, except when medically excused
• Partial days with no cafeteria lunches for at least the first few weeks. Lunches will be served by our food service provider on a “grab and go” model
• Continuation of social distancing and deep cleaning/disinfecting of facilities according to recommended protocols

“With over 2,600 students in our district, no plan is going to be ideal for every family,” Heinegg wrote. “We recognize that there will be continued challenges for everyone, and remain committed to making this work as best as possible for all of our students.”

NORTH CALDWELL

In the North Caldwell Public School District, the board of education plans to make a decision on a reopening plan Monday evening.

“The Board of Education will determine which option our school district will follow this fall in light of COVID-19 and social distancing restrictions,” its members stated in an email. “Members of the community will have an opportunity to ask questions and comment on the options. The Board encourages parents to attend the meeting.”

A link for the livestream of this meeting is posted on the district website.

District administrators have been grappling with the return to class, holding a virtual meeting on the topic earlier this month. Links to the PowerPoint presentation and the recording of the public forum are posted on the district website.

Watch a discussion of reopening plans in the district at the school board’s recent meeting below.

WEST ESSEX REGIONAL

The West Essex Board of Education will hold a special meeting on Monday, July 27 at 7:30 p.m. to present the district's reopening plan.

Join the virtual meeting via Zoom here.

During the board’s meeting on July 15, its members discussed reopening plans, noting that the district has launched a task force on the issue. See a presentation from the meeting here.

“The New Jersey Department of Education recently provided guidance to school districts to assist in the process of reopening schools,” Superintendent Damion Macioci wrote on July 2.

“This set of standards provides strategies and safety measures so school buildings can open in some capacity for in-person instruction and operations in the fall,” Macioci stated. “We must also recognize the need to prepare for any adjustments in our educational plan should guidelines change as we get closer to the start of school.”

“With that said, we will begin the process of creating a plan to reopen schools in collaboration with community stakeholders, including faculty, staff, parents, board of education members and students,” Macioci continued. “Together we will work diligently to establish a plan that best fits the needs of our school community.”

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