Moorestown Friends To Start Remote Learning Due To Coronavirus

MOORESTOWN, NJ — With new coronavirus becoming a bigger concern in New Jersey, Moorestown Friends School will move to a remote learning system effective March 19, school officials announced on Thursday.

The last day of in-person learning will be Friday, Head of School Julia de la Torre said in a letter to parents. This is the last day for students to take home any books, materials, supplies, athletic gear or essential items that they will need to work remotely from home for the foreseeable future.

“Teachers can provide students with guidance, if they have questions about what to take home,” de la Torre said. “Lower School families can take these items home when they come for conferences today or tomorrow.”

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On Monday and Tuesday, teachers and staff will participate in professional development to prepare for the remote learning environment. Emergency childcare will be provided from 8 a.m. to 3:10 p.m., but the school is asking parents to only sign up for this service if they absolutely need it, as they would like to limit the number of students on campus. No bus service or lunches will be provided.There will be a virtual check-in at 1 p.m. on Tuesday for students in the Middle and Upper schools.

“Contact your child’s divisional office on Monday if they have forgotten any essential items,” de la Torre said. “Access to campus will be restricted once we move to Virtual MFS.”

Wednesday will be an orientation day, and virtual classes will run from March 19-25, followed by spring break from March 26 through April 5. The school will be in touch on or before April 1 with information on it plans to resume learning, athletics and other activities after the break.

“All of us at MFS recognize the burden that these changes may place on you and your family,” de la Torre said. “We did not make this decision lightly and appreciate your support as we come together as a school community to stay healthy and safe. Moving to Virtual MFS won’t be perfect, and we will all learn about what it means to create community and learn in a virtual way. I hope we can extend patience and grace to each other as we make this change.”

Moorestown Friends is among a growing list of school districts that are holding half-day or in-service days to prepare for a disruption due to coronavirus. Read more here: Update On NJ Coronavirus School Closures: Here's The Latest

Also on Thursday, Gov. Phil Murphy gatherings of more than 250 people should be canceled. Read more here: Gov. Murphy: NJ Should Cancel Large Gatherings Due To Coronavirus

“All institutions in our country have spent the past weeks figuring out how best to respond to changing information, expert advice, and community fears. There will always be a range of opinions on whether we should wait or act. I believe that we as a school should move from responding to crisis to leading through this experience in a way that makes us stronger,” de la Torre said. “Speaking of leadership, I’d like to personally address our seniors, the Class of 2020. You, more than most, have experienced incredible disappointment in these past few days. What you thought the end of your senior year would look like is going to look completely different, and where things are headed still remains unpredictable. You have complete permission to be disappointed, sad, and perhaps even mad at the world around you right now. I’ve had those moments, too. I hope you will join me at some point soon in refocusing on the things we can control. We are all facing a challenge ahead of us, and this is our collective challenge as leaders of the school to bring people together and to support each other. I have full faith in all of us--students and staff alike--as we greet the challenges of the coming weeks and months.”

The New Jersey Department of Health has partnered with the New Jersey Poison Information and Education System to open and operate a call center (1-800-222-1222) for public use regarding questions, concerns, and other information related to coronavirus spread in New Jersey. More information is also available on the state's coronavirus webpage.

See related: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know