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

HOLMDEL-HAZLET - After nearly six months of remote and partially-remote learning, Holmdel students are prepared to return to full-time in-person instruction this month. On Dec. 14, elementary school students can expect full days in class, while pupils at W.R. Satz School and Holmdel High School may begin full time with morning in school and afternoons remote, according to TAPInto Holmdel.

12/4/2020 UPDATE: Holmdel Schools To Delay In-Person Return Amid More COVID Cases

But just north of the Garden State Parkway, the neighboring Hazlet school district tells a very different story: with word of six new positive cases in four schools over the course of 90 minutes one afternoon, the superintendent announced Tuesday that a districtwide in-person class closure is in order.

“At this point, with [Middle Road School] already teaching virtually and four additional schools … having met the Department of Health protocols for transitioning to virtual learning as well, the indication that the uptick in numbers will continue is significant. Additionally, as staff quarantines increase, we are struggling to cover all classes each day as well,” Ridley wrote.

The Tuesday night notice came after a string of case reports throughout the week. Middle Road School suspended in-person classes on Nov. 30 after three cases were reported around the same time, according to the district website. At least one case of the virus was reported at all but two district schools this week.

“It is expected that the number of cases will continue to rise in the immediate future and Hazlet will remain proactive in protecting our staff and students through all scenarios,” Ridley wrote in a Dec. 1 update.

Meanwhile, Holmdel schools are gearing up to reopen their doors less than a month after extracurricular activities were cancelled and in-person classes were suspended across the district. Read more: Holmdel Schools Go Virtual; 87 Students, 37 Staff In Quarantine

"The impact on our staff has made it difficult to properly staff our classrooms. Due to this significant increase in COVID-19 cases throughout the District, and after consultation with the Monmouth County Department of Health, we will shift to full virtual instruction for all students effective Wednesday, November 18, 2020," wrote interim Superintendent of Schools Dr. Lee Seitz last month.

Holmdel and Hazlet are both in Monmouth County, a designated high risk zone according to the COVID Regional Risk Assessment. As of Dec. 2, Holmdel has 551 cases, a number Hazlet reached about two weeks ago. Hazlet now has 661.

Compared to respective numbers last month, Holmdel has seen a 39.16 percent increase in cases while Hazlet has seen a 48.52 percent increase.

The Hazlet school district will be virtual until 2021, when students return from winter recess.

“We understand that this decision will cause some disruption to established routines, but these numbers are real, relevant, recent and likely to continue,” Ridley wrote Tuesday.

“As such, as long as we choose to prioritize health & safety and monitor the pandemic landscape, we will meet this challenge and emerge on the other side stronger and in a better place.”