Full-Day, In-Person Learning For Lawrence Schools Next Week

LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ — Lawrence Township Public Schools will return to full-day, in-person learning next week, the district announced Thursday.

“Based on today’s numbers and cases, we plan on having all students back for a full day of in-person learning with lunches served next week beginning Tuesday, January 18,” Superintendent Ross Kasun said in a letter to parents and guardians.

Lawrence schools went virtual the first week of January, as COVID-19 causes staffing shortage. Read More: COVID Spike Forces Lawrence Public Schools To Go Virtual

The following week, the school district opted for a half-day schedule due to transportation issues. Read More: Lawrence Public Schools Opt For Half-Day Schedule This Week

Between now and Jan. 18, if COVID-19 cases increase among staff and students, the district will switch to Plan B. Under this plan, Pre-K through grade 3 will have a full day of in-person learning at their regularly scheduled times. Grades 4-12 will have in-person learning with early dismissal, so no lunches will be served. Students will connect with teachers in the afternoon for continued learning.

“There is no "option or choice" to keep children home and receive remote instruction. With the shortage of available COVID tests, we continue to recommend anyone who has symptoms and waiting for a test to stay home,” Kasun said. Only students who have to quarantine have the option to attend classes via Zoom next week, Kasun said.

On Tuesday, Gov. Phil Murphy extended the K-12 mask mandate due to the growing number of COVID-19 cases.

Murphy declared another public health emergency in New Jersey on Tuesday, citing the extremely high numbers of COVID positives. Read More: NJ Public Health Emergency Extended To Fight 'Omicron Tsunami'

By declaring the state of emergency, Murphy is able to unilaterally extend a number of his emergency executive orders, all of which were set to expire at 11:59 p.m., this includes the mask mandates.

From Jan. 7 to 13, the Lawrence school district reported 85 positive cases according to their COVID-19 dashboard.

Here’s the breakdown by school:

• Lawrence High School: 33
• Lawrence Middle School: 22
• Lawrence Intermediate School: 16
• Elementary Schools: 14

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