UPDATE Cranford Superintendent: We'll Revisit Graduation Plans

CRANFORD, NJ — Cranford Superintendent of Schools Scott Rubin said in an email to the school community on Wednesday evening that in light of Gov. Phil Murphy's new executive order allowing public gatherings in cars, the district will "revisit its plans for end of year celebrations in partnership with local law enforcement and emergency management as well as parents/guardians, students, and faculty."

Earlier in the week, Rubin had said that school graduation celebrations would be virtual, in light of vague directives Murphy's administration had given over the weekend. But on Wednesday afternoon, Murphy issued an order allowing graduations and other gatherings that respect social distancing.

"I am happy to share that this afternoon Governor Murphy signed Executive Order 142," Rudin wrote on Wednesday night, "which in part allows gatherings in vehicles, under very specific conditions, for end of year celebrations, including high school graduation ... The additional flexibility from the state will allow the district to make end of year celebrations special and memorable."

Specifically, the order permits the resumption of non-essential construction, curbside pickup at non-essential retail businesses, and "car gatherings for the purpose of drive-through and drive-in events."

The construction and non-essential retail provisions will take effect at 6 a.m. this coming Monday, while the car gatherings provision will take effect immediately.

Rubin said in his Wednesday letter, "We will update the community very soon on high school graduation plans as well as end of year celebrations for other traditionally celebrated grade levels. We are so proud of our students and will continue to work tirelessly in partnership with the community to provide them with the recognition they have earned and deserve!"

Previously, Rubin had written on Monday that at the high school level, "Mr. Cantagallo, the CHS principal, will work with students, parents/guardians, and community members to create a virtual graduation ceremony that will take place on June 18."

In the previous letter, Rubin had added, "The State Director of Emergency Management recently released guidance on graduation ceremonies ... please know that we will work hard to create a very special and memorable virtual experience of which our senior students, parents / guardians, and community members will be proud."

New Jersey continues to see high rates of coronavirus cases and deaths. On Tuesday, Gov. Phil Murphy said the state had confirmed 898 new cases of the virus, and 198 more people had died since the day before. The state death toll is now 9,508.

But the rate is lower than Thursday, April 30, when the state reached an all-time high death rate. That day, Murphy had said that 460 New Jerseyans had been lost to the virus in 24 hours, or one person every three minutes.

Officials are reopening facilities in the state cautiously so as not to cause another spike in cases.
The governor said Tuesday that in order to start reopening, the state is planning to trace people who've had contact with patients, and institute other measures. READ MORE.

In early May, Murphy said New Jersey schools will be closed for the rest of the year. After discussing with the New Jersey Interscholastic Athletic Association, the governor said that spring sports will not resume for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year.

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