Metuchen Plans To Begin School Year Remotely

METUCHEN, NJ — The Metuchen School District announced on Friday that it plans to begin the 2021-22 school year fully remote. Superintendent Vincent Caputo informed the school community of the decision in an email.

Classes begin Sep. 6, and all teachers are required to report in-person beginning Sep. 1. Teacher will teach from their classroom, while students' study remotely.

In his letter, Caputo said he wrote to the county superintendent, seeking permission to begin the year remotely. He said since the air-conditioning in all four of the district's schools have been limited in keeping with safety guideline, it would be difficult for students to study while wearing masks.

In an earlier survey conducted among parents, more than half voted to send their children to in-person classes, said Caputo.

The district hopes to move to a hybrid model in October, when the weather is better. Caputo informed parents that the building management system is currently being upgraded to ensure all room are functional before they pivot to the hybrid model by Oct. 1.

The district is also trying to help students who can’t stay home, by bringing them back to school buildings in September, in a phased manner.

A board meeting is scheduled for Aug. 25 to further discuss the school year, and provide more details to parents.