Moorestown Schools Go Full-Remote Due To Coronavirus

MOORESTOWN, NJ — Moorestown Public Schools will enter into a full-remote learning model until Dec. 4, the district announced on Friday. The change was made based on new guidance concerning the coronavirus from the New Jersey Department of Health, Superintendent Scott McCartney said in a letter to the community.

“The new guidance, derived from the New Jersey Department of Health, expands contact tracing and quarantine to now include those that are symptomatic and not just those that have tested positive,” McCartney said. “It also includes restrictions on activities that bring cohorts together, such as in-person sports, clubs and programs (including Extended Day Care).

“To that end, I regret to say that the Moorestown Township Public Schools will transition to its Full-Remote model beginning Monday, November 23 through Friday, December 4. All in-person activities will be cancelled as of today. Principals will send out additional information regarding the Full-Remote Schedules later today.”

Earlier this week, McCartney said that a benchmark for shutting down schools was if there were 2-3 cases, and that many of Moorestown’s schools were on the brink. Read more here: Moorestown School Board Discusses Complex Quarantine Process

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“During this time, we will ask you to continue to fill out the daily health forms, so we can assess the data within our school community to make informed decisions around our objective to return to in-person school on Monday, December 7,” McCartney said. “I recognize the challenge this brings to many and remain committed to doing our best to keep instruction and support to your student and our school community moving forward. It is important to note that while we are in full remote, please continue to do what you can to contain potential spread. Working together, we can hopefully limit the duration of this Full-Remote period and move back to our in-person models sooner rather than later.”

As of Friday morning, there had been 605 cases of the coronavirus and 64 deaths in Moorestown since the beginning of the pandemic. Seven new cases reported Thursday night pushed the township beyond the 600-case mark.

Countywide, there have been 12,022 cases of the coronavirus reported since the beginning of the pandemic. Burlington County has seen 503 confirmed deaths and 54 probable deaths due to the virus.

“I know it may be hard to see some days, but I remind myself daily that I have much for which to be thankful,” McCartney said. “Now more than ever, we have to focus on the positive and the things we can control. Please continue to be safe and have a Happy Thanksgiving.”

See related: First 5 Coronavirus Cases Identified At Moorestown Schools