Lawrence Schools Take Emphasis Off Grades Amid Outbreak

LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP, NJ — The Lawrence Township Public School District has discontinued parent and student access to its online Genesis system to cut down on stress amid the coronavirus outbreak, the district announced.

“At this time, we do not want to focus on grades and grading and instead want to focus on providing remote instruction and a balance between schoolwork and shelter-in-place family life,” Lawrence Superintendent of Schools Ross Kasun said on Monday. “It is incredibly difficult to assign grades or focus on scores while in this remote learning environment. Learning and instruction do not require grades. If we are out beyond April 14, 2020, we will reevaluate and determine what will best support our students' learning.”

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The New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) has not yet provided guidance as far as grading or credits is concerned. There is a lot to consider, and the state said it will respond to districts when it is able to, Kasun said.

“Once again, thank you for your patience and flexibility,” Kasun said. “I'm proud of our staff and their hard work as they have responded on short notice as various demands surfaced. They, just like you, are dealing with their family environment while also working to do what's best for our students. We're in this together and hope that you understand our decisions are made based on what we feel to be the best direction at the moment. Together, we will get through this.”