Millburn Schools To Close Thursday For Coronavirus Preparations

MILLBURN, NJ — After the state of New Jersey asked school districts last week to prepare for the continued spread of the novel coronavirus, Millburn Superintendent of Schools Dr. Christine Burton sent a letter out Monday afternoon saying the district will close for the day on Thursday, March 12.

They will use the day to prepare lessons students can do at home via "distance learning."

In addition, she wrote, "We will also be using this day to intensify our cleaning regimen during the day without students present."

Regarding distance learning, she said, "Creating this plan will take a great deal of coordination with our teachers and administrative staff. We need time with our teachers without students present."

Some other area districts, like Cranford, have already announced they will close for a day to prepare.

As of Monday afternoon, the state of New Jersey had announced a total of 11 cases, up from six the day before.

The superintendent's letter reads:

<blockquote>

Dear Millburn Parents/Guardians,
New Jersey schools have been asked to prepare for the possibility of distance learning in the event of a school closure due to the COVID19 virus. The State Department of Education has said we must have an instructional plan in place and they will count our distance learning days towards the 180 days “in school.”
Creating this plan will take a great deal of coordination with our teachers and administrative staff. We need time with our teachers without students present.
Therefore, we will be closing school for students on Thursday, March 12.
This Thursday will be a Professional Development day for teachers and staff. There will be no school for students.
We will also be using this day to intensify our cleaning regimen during the day without students present.
Please note for Thursday, March 12:

• There will be no before or after school care
• Afterschool activities will be canceled with the exception of athletic events at Millburn High School.
• Transportation will be provided for those who go to school outside of the district.

Next week, Wednesday, March 18 will remain as our scheduled early dismissal for all students, for staff Professional Development.
We hope we will not need to implement these plans, but the time off this week and the half-day next week will allow us to be prepared in case this unprecedented event occurs.
We appreciate your understanding.

</blockquote>

Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that include the common cold as well as much more serious diseases. The strain that emerged in China in late 2019, now called COVID-19, is related to others that have caused serious outbreaks in recent years, including severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). The first confirmed case of COVID-19 in the U.S. was on Jan. 21.

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