Remote Learning Plan Discussed At Long Valley Board Meeting

LONG VALLEY, NJ — Members of the Washington Township School District recently discussed the implementation of the new mandated virtual/remote instruction plan, which all schools would have to follow if implemented.

According to Superintendent Peter Turnamian, the remote learning plan would be implemented only in the event of a pandemic or a severe weather event that would force schools to close.

"It's meant to be used after three days of being closed for some type of event, whether it's a pandemic or some storm-related event, we would then have the ability to go to a remote plan so we can continue to use some of our school days," Turnamian said.

The plan outlines the structure of virtual learning for each grade band in the district. For example, children in kindergarten through second grade would have live sessions at least three times per week for half an hour per content area for general education.

Alternatively, in grades 6-8, they would have synchronized and asynchronous daily sessions, with all assignments posted electronically and submitted electronically by students.

Accommodations would be made for students who require additional needs and assistance, according to the district plan, which was revised and finalized on Sept. 13 and approved by the New Jersey Department of Education.

The district would ensure that students who do not have internet access are monitored and that the service is provided via Wi-Fi/internet access mobile hotspot devices or an alternate method of continuity of instruction.

Families would not be charged for any "hotspot" devices provided by the district.

During the public comment portion of the evening, local resident John Oldmixon spoke out about the new plan, expressing concern that it could be used to eliminate the need for snow days.

"This isn't something that you know we have remote learning in case of bad weather or something like that because I know that two years ago, there were a couple of days when we had snow and instead of coming into school they opted to do remote, which I think was not appropriate," Oldmixon said.

In response, Turnamian reinforced the idea that the plan could only be implemented if the weather caused a three-day closure of the schools. "It's not meant to replace snow days. It's not meant to be used in lieu of snow days."