Millburn May Return To On-Site Learning Oct. 5 For PreK-4

MILLBURN, NJ — In an unprecedented school year in which several school districts changed from a hybrid to all-remote learning model in the past few weeks — including Millburn — Superintendent Christine Burton said Friday that the she is hoping to transition some students back into the classrooms sooner than expected.

In a letter Friday afternoon, Burton wrote, "In acknowledgment of the academic and social needs of our youngest learners, we are now planning to transition our Pre-K through Grade 4 students to in-school learning (Hybrid model) anticipated to start October 5. We want to share the details on the Hybrid model and schedules, along with the survey link for parents to designate the option for PreK to Grade 4 students."

Last week, a parent started a petition against the all-distance learning model (read more here).

The letter begins:

<blockquote>

Dear Parents/Guardians:

Our virtual start of the school year has provided our students with a remote experience, and we have garnered valuable information about how our procedures, protocols, and technology have worked in the virtual model. We are now in the process of scheduling the next phase of our reopening plan.

As we continue to strive toward our goal of providing for the health and safety of all staff and students to return to the Millburn Schools, we have been coordinating with our Local Department of Health to finalize the health and safety logistics in our buildings. In acknowledgment of the academic and social needs of our youngest learners, we are now planning to transition our Pre-K through Grade 4 students to in-school learning (Hybrid model) anticipated to start October 5. We want to share the details on the Hybrid model and schedules, along with the survey link for parents to designate the option for PreK to Grade 4 students. We will do our best to place siblings in the same AM or PM session, but please understand that there may be extenuating circumstances where this is not possible.

PreK to Grade 4 Schedules

Hybrid: The schedule for PreK to Grade 4 students who opt for the Hybrid (in-school/at home) will be 2 ½ hours in school for an AM or PM session, with a dedicated focus on Reading, Writing and Math, followed by lunch and remote learning at home, with 2 ½ hours of lessons in Science, Social Studies and Related Arts.

In-Home/Full Remote: Students who opt to remain fully remote will receive 5 hours of learning at home. One area of focus will be on the core subject areas of Reading, Writing and Math, with a dedicated teacher to the remote grades/classes, followed by lunch and remote learning with 2 ½ hours of lessons in Science, Social Studies and Related Arts.

</blockquote>

The letter goes on to discuss special education classes, a parent survey, and more.

Burton said that regarding the middle school, "We are working to bring students in with the Hybrid A day/B day plan by November 9."

More health precautions will be discussed in future weeks.

Regarding childcare, "Due to social distancing within the buildings, we may not be able to offer space for full-day childcare programs in the elementary buildings once students return for in-person learning. We are working with SAM and AlphaBest to find alternate locations to be able to continue to provide childcare for those families who need it.

"We look forward to beginning the transition back to in-school teaching and learning with our PreK to Grade 4 students at the beginning of October. We are working toward having all grades in school by the beginning of November."

Nearby districts and students with coronavirus

Other districts have had to contend with students testing positive for the virus in the first weeks of school.

Summit Superintendent of Schools Scott Hough announced Thursday night that a Summit Middle School student tested positive for coronavirus. The Summit schools reopened for students on Sept. 1.

On Thursday, Chatham announced its schools would have to go all-virtual for the rest of the week after a case was reported. East Brunswick had to announce on the first day of school that a student was exposed to coronavirus and his contacts — and their siblings — would have to isolate for 14 days.

In New Jersey, 388 districts are opening with hybrid plans where students can attend part of the day, 238 are all remote, and only 60 are offering full-time in person.

While most children who test positive for coronavirus will recover from it, they can spread it to others. Some have lost a parent, both parents, teachers, or siblings.

Coronavirus statistics

• More than 190,000 Americans have now died of coronavirus, and more than 5.6 million have tested positive.
• More than 900 health care workers have died of the virus nationally. Others are simultaneously fighting misinformation as they try to fight the virus.
• A viral social media post was removed from Twitter last week that misstated that only 9,000 people died from the virus. The confusion stemmed from the fact that people who died of the virus also were confirmed to have died from pneumonia caused by the virus, and other factors.

Here are statewide coronavirus resources:

• NJ COVID-19 Information Hub: https://covid19.nj.gov/
• General COVID-19 questions: 2-1-1
• NJ COVID-19 hotline: (800) 222-1222

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