Hillsborough School Overnight Trips Still Not Allowed Due To COVID Risks

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — While some school activities have resumed to pre-pandemic standards, others such as overnight field trips continue to be prohibited in Hillsborough due to COVID risk factors.

Hillsborough School Superintendent Dr. Lisa Antunes reiterated the district's decision during the Nov. 22 Board of Education meeting.

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"I've said this many times over the course of the last several months so the fact that I am not approving overnight field trips at this time ought not to come as a surprise. However, it seems important for me to reiterate that overnight field trips are not being approved at this time," said Antunes.

Antunes said she has been receiving letters from parents and staff asking for overnight field trips to be approved.

"I believe it to be irresponsible for a team of students which may raise the risk of potential exposure to others," said Antunes.

Overnight trips will not be approved until minimally after the holiday season per the Hillsborough School District's physician recommendations, said Antunes.

"I do understand the gravity of the decisions. I do understand the disappointment and fear. I do understand that we all want what we want. I also understand that this is just not possible right now. If we are going to keep the priority as keeping schools open," said Antunes.

Parents and students in the theater and musical field also recently challenged the district over the decision not to allow in-person performances. Some even suggested a bias towards one activity, such as football, over another. Read More: Outcry Over Halting Of In-Person Hillsborough School Performances

"The perception is there is a bias against them or they are not cared about," Dina Albanese previously said at the Nov. 8 BOE meeting. "Sports are allowed to have people there even football games people are shoulder to shoulder outside and packed in there."

Antunes has said that every decision is made on an individual basis and weighs heavily on the district.

"While there are some who believe one event or activity is favored over another, this is simply not the case," said Antunes.

"We know that these decisions do not make everyone happy and I understand while it may seem inconsistent every situation is truly looked at individually. What is consistent is the promise to weigh and adjust decisions as time continues to move ahead," said Antunes.

The school district has been working with the New Jersey Department of Health, local Department of Health, and the district physician which have predicted the number of COVID patients will increase throughout the holiday season before stabilizing during the winter.

"We continue to see the increase of COVID-19 cases, especially after extended days off from school or following holidays," said Antunes. "This trend is expected to continue throughout the upcoming holiday season."

Antunes reminded parents that the board members carry "the weight of every decision we make each and every day for the 1,400 staff members and 7,300 students."

"We absolutely must remain vigilant and allow the process to unfold based upon the situation at the moment of decision making. High-risk behavior of several increases the risk of potential exposure to many," said Antunes.

Since Nov. 1, Hillsborough Township Schools have reported 45 positive COVID-19 cases. The schools saw a total of 27 cases in October and 19 in September.

Here is a breakdown of the cases in November:

• Hillsborough High School - 8
• Hillsborough Middle School - 2
• Auten Road Intermediate School - 13
• Amsterdam Elementary - 5
• Hillsborough Elementary - 0
• Sunnymead Elementary - 4
• Triangle Elementary - 5
• Woodfern Elementary - 5
• Woods Road Elementary - 2
• Transportation/ B&G Office/ Central Office - 1

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