Safe Return Plan Updated For West Morris Mendham High School

MENDHAM/CHESTER, NJ — With students in the West Morris Regional High School District set to return to the classroom on Aug. 24, the district recently presented its plan for a safe return to school this fall.

The board stated that this plan will be revised based on feedback and consultation with the District's Safe Return Planning Committee, which consists of teachers, administrators, school nurses, and counselors, with the goal of ensuring that the resulting plan is consistent with CDC guidance.

Regarding mask-wearing requirements for faculty, district personnel, and high school students, the district will follow CDC and New Jersey Department of Health guidelines.

The updated plan states that there will be no changes to the current COVID-19 policies, which means that students and staff are not required to wear masks while inside or on school buses, but they may do so voluntarily.

Although students and faculty may resume normal activities, changes to practices in physical education classes and at lunch may be made based on local COVID-19 activity data.

Following no changes from last year, the district requires that all eligible teachers, educational staff, contracted employees, vendors, volunteers, providers and any other individuals working in the schools where regular visits to the schools are part of the individual's job duties be fully vaccinated.

Unvaccinated eligible teachers, educational staff, contracted employees, vendors, volunteers, providers, and any other individuals working in schools must be tested weekly for COVID-19.

The West Morris Regional High School District is made up of two high schools. Mendham High School serves the towns of Mendham Township, Mendham Borough, Chester Township, and Chester Borough. Washington Township residents are served by Central High School.

In the fall of 2022, approximately 2,150 students are expected to attend the two high schools, according to school officials.

To read the full updated safe return plan, click here.