Manchester Schools Seek Parents For Reopening Planning Committees

MANCHESTER, NJ — Manchester Township parents who would like to have input into the school district's plans for the fall are invited to volunteer for one of the committees that will be helping to create the plan.

Superintendent David Trethaway said the district is establishing a Return to School Committee to oversee the process of returning students and staff to the buildings in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

In addition to the district committee, there are several subcommittees focusing on specific topics. They are:

• Health and Safety
• Facilities & Cleaning
• Scheduling & Staffing
• Curriculum & Instruction
• Social Emotional Learning
• Technology
• Transportation
• Athletics & Before and After School Activities
• Funding and Food Service

If you would like to join one of these committees, please email your child’s building principal.

Parents who want to offer comments or express concerns should send emails to parentinput@mtschools.org, which has been set up specifically for the reopening plans.

"While providing in-person instruction to our students will be a positive step, unfortunately, it will not be a typical September school opening," Trethaway said. "I fully understand that no matter which plan is eventually adopted, it will not be without hardships for each of our Manchester Township families."

Trethaway said the district appreciates the input from parents.

"We will do our best to develop a plan that best meets the needs of our students, parents and staff, however, our plan has to follow all of the health and safety requirements set forth by the Governor in his report, The Road Back: Restart and Recovery Plan for Education," he said. "It is important to understand that the health and safety of our students and staff will be the primary factor in developing this plan and must be balanced against other areas such as instruction, transportation, and child care issues."

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