Millburn Superintendent: Three Possibilities For School In Fall

MILLBURN, NJ – In her virtual learning update on Friday evening, Millburn Superintendent of Schools Dr. Christine Burton said she is a member of the New Jersey Department of Education’s Leadership & Planning Working Group, and that the group expects to release "broad guidelines" this week for how to approach school in fall.

Meanwhile, in Millburn, the district has a “Return to School Committee," Burton noted, and they are considering three options.

She wrote, "In addition to the ideal scenario of being able to return to traditional, in-person school, we know that there are several options that most school districts are considering, depending on the health conditions."

The three main options are:

• Virtual plan (revised distance learning)
• Blended plan (portions in school and virtually)
• Intermittent plan (for when schools need to close again)

To see a graphic representation once the superintendent's latest update is posted online, click here.

Burton said that in Millburn, "Subcommittees are looking at all aspects of our operations, from academics to schedules, transportation, facilities and health and wellness. All planning is dependent on the determination of the governor as to whether schools can open, while following the CDC guidelines for schools."

She noted, "We would like to get a sense of what families are thinking, at this moment in time, about sending your children to school in the fall. We know there is much uncertainty of where we will be in September, but we also need to have data to plan enrollment and staffing for the 2020-2021 school year."

The parent survey can be taken here.

Burton said the district will send more surveys in summer.

Regarding high school graduation, Burton noted, "With the news that the number of people allowed to participate in outdoor activities will soon be increasing to 500 people, planning is underway by the high school to possibly hold in-person commencement ceremonies after July 6. They are in the process of surveying students and working with class officers and the Senior Celebration Committee to assess preferences. In the meantime, the Virtual Graduation Ceremony is in production, and will be posted on Wednesday, June 24. More details to come."

Last week, Gov. Phil Murphy expanded his limits on indoor and outdoor gatherings, with social distancing and other regulations still in effect.

Day cares and camps can reopen, with restrictions, starting June 15.

Some people are hoping that schools for special needs students reopen soon too.

For recent coronavirus updates in Millburn, including statistics and testing, click here.

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