Parent Reaction: Millburn Schools Finalize On-Site Learning Plans

MILLBURN, NJ — Millburn parents with students younger than fifth grade were able to send their kids back to the public school buildings starting Oct. 5, but plans have shifted a few times regarding the schedules for the older kids to return on Nov. 9.

Superintendent of Schools Christine Burton released an update to those plans on Friday evening.

She also said that the board will hold a "Town Hall" meeting as part of the Oct. 26 school board meeting to "provide additional information and a chance for parents/guardians to ask questions."

The update to the plans for grade 5 and up can be found here: Superintendent's Update - Reopening of Washington & Secondary Schools

Over the weekend, a parent expressed frustrations. She said she hopes more issues are resolved after the town hall meeting.

She noted that all of the older students have to be at school at 8 a.m., making it difficult for parents with kids in more than one school.

She also said that in some classrooms, kids will be learning from a teacher on the computer screen, who is teaching from home. (The superintendent has said that at least 79 teachers wouldn't return to the buildings, because of health reasons, family leave, or other challenges. The district, like many others, is looking for substitutes.)

"Parents should also be informed ahead of time if their child will be in a classroom where the teacher is live-streaming from her home," said the mom. "If my kids are still viewing teachers on a screen then they might as well view them from the comforts of their home. "

"They need to figure out how to get these kids in school," she added, "perhaps with two cohorts alternating full days. There is a safe way to have these kids eat lunch and stay in school."

Millburn students started the year remotely in early September.

A number of petitions were started by parents about the plans, with some pushing for the district to switch to on-site learning and others saying the schools needed to do a better job on remote learning.

If you have comments, post them below or email caren.lissner@patch.com.

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