East Brunswick Schools To Combine Hybrid Learning Groups

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ — The East Brunswick school district announced Tuesday evening it was planning to combine hybrid learning groups in secondary schools.

Beginning Nov.17, secondary school students in the hybrid learning model will attend in-person classes two days a week, be virtual two days, and repeat the cycle during the same window of time.

School Superintendent Victor Valeski said this will double secondary students’ face-to-face time in the hybrid learning model, but still preserve the sibling alignment built into the structure, so older siblings can be home with younger siblings.

However, plans to combine secondary groups will be put on hold if the school district reports an increase in positive COVID cases among the school population. The plan will also be deferred in case of any person-to -person COVID transmission within the school communities, two weeks before Nov. 17.

“All other features of our instructional day, Grab-and-Go meals, as well Early Morning Program and After School Kids offerings remain unchanged,” said Valeski.

Currently, secondary hybrid students attend two days and are virtual for six days.

The district opened access to the learning model selection form on Tuesday evening. Parents and guardians who wish to change the student’s current learning model – from hybrid to remote or vice versa – can do so now on Parent Access.

Here are the schools and groups that will be combined:

• Hammarskjold Middle School - Teams 1 and 3, Teams 2 and 4
• Churchill Junior High School - Teams 1 and 3, Teams 2 and 4
• East Brunswick High School - Teams 1 and 3, Teams 2 and 4

The model will be effective Nov. 17, which is the beginning of the second marking period.

Some important upcoming dates in the East Brunswick School District:

• Oct. 20 - Learning Model Selection Forms will be reopened (If you are not making a change at this time you do not need to do anything).
• Oct. 27 - Learning Model Selection Forms will be closed at 9 AM.
• Nov. 10 - Communication regarding assignment of students moving from remote to hybrid will be sent to families.
• Nov. 17 - Second marking period begins with combined secondary teams 1 and 3, along with combined secondary teams 2 and 4, if the rate of positive COVID cases remains minimal and contained from spread within EBPS.

Have a correction or news tip? Email sarah.salvadore@patch.com

Get breaking news alerts on your phone with our app. Download here. Sign up to get Patch emails so you don't miss out on local and statewide news.