Holmdel Schools To Delay In-Person Return Amid More COVID Cases

HOLMDEL, NJ - The Holmdel school district has reversed its decision to resume hybrid learning on Monday in light of more positive COVID-19 cases, according to school officials.

In a Dec. 4 announcement (per TAPInto Holmdel), interim superintendent Dr. Lee Seitz alerted district families that classes will remain virtual through Dec. 11 amid 32 students and staff members from all four schools testing positive for COVID-19.

The latest statistics include 18 positive cases at Holmdel High School, five at W.R. Satz School, five at Indian Hill School and four at Village School.

All extracurricular activities remain suspended at this time.

“In reviewing these most recent number of individuals who tested positive for Covid 19 since November 20, 2020, consulting with the Monmouth County Department of Health and, following the guidelines from NJ Health and the CDC, specifically page 15 (NJ Department of Health), we will need to continue full virtual instruction at all four of our schools,” Seitz wrote. “The High School, Satz, Indian Hill, and Village will continue virtual instruction for another week; from December 7th through 11th.”

Teachers and support staff will continue to report to school buildings and provide virtual learning from classrooms, Seitz added.

The district initially planned to return from the all-virtual schedule (which began Nov. 18 amid 87 students and 37 staff members in quarantine) on Monday, Dec. 7, with full-day sessions to follow on Dec. 14 for some students.

Related: Holmdel Students To Start Full-Time As Hazlet Students Go Virtual

Monmouth County is located in a designated “high risk” zone, according to the COVID Regional Risk Assessment. On Dec. 4 alone, the county reported more than 390 new positive COVID-19 cases. Since the pandemic began, Holmdel has reported 565 cases.

“We will continue to review this decision throughout next week to determine when our students can return to in-person school and when we can move to a full day instructional program; either in person or virtually,” Seitz wrote Friday.