Moorestown Students Discuss Adjusting To Remote Learning

MOORESTOWN, NJ — Gov. Phil Murphy announced Monday that schools will close for the rest of the academic year because of the coronavirus outbreak. The announcement came one week after seniors in the Moorestown Public School District expressed their despair at missing time during the final year of their high school career.

“There are some good days and some bad days,” a student representative told the Board of Education during its April 28 meeting that streamed live on Zoom. “ … There’s sadness about losing some senior traditions we’ve looked forward to for four years.”

One of those traditions is the senior prom, which was to have taken place May 15 at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. Others said they would miss the sense of community that comes with high school graduation, and others simply missed their teachers, friends and the simple act of just being in school.

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Murphy announced during his press conference on Monday that remote learning will continue through June. Private schools that have a longer academic year will remain closed until at least June 30. Read more here: New Jersey Schools Closed For Rest Of Academic Year: Gov. Murphy

Spring sports are also cancelled for the year, but some athletes said their coaches have been communicating with them throughout what would have been the spring season.

“My softball coach has been posting workouts and scenarios online, and we’ve been having Zoom meetings,” Claire Hurren told the board.

Hurren is also in the choir, which meets twice a week using the a cappella app and audio recordings. Another student spoke about the lacrosse coach meeting with the team virtually to discuss the sport and life lessons.

Colin DiPasquale said his crew coach has put the team on an exercise schedule, and he is also performing virtual shows for seniors as part of a senior serenades group. Read more here: Moorestown Teens Perform Virtual Show For Quarantined Seniors

On the academic side, Cara Petrycki told the board the work load was manageable, and she’s happy about the changes in AP testing.

“I was worried that the workload would be overwhelming,” Petrycki said. “Our teachers have done a good job communicating with us.”

She also likes the shorter time for AP testing, which has been reduced from 3.5 hours to 45 minutes.

“Our students always impress me with their ability to speak and share their feelings,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Scott McCartney said. “Thank you for your perseverance.”

District officials also said they are developing surveys about re-entry to schools, including how transportation, arrival/dismissal, lunch and recess, among other things, would be handled.
The next board meeting is scheduled for May 19.

Murphy previously said he would make a decision on schools by May 15, but he moved up the timetable.

Last week, a coalition of education organizations around New Jersey sent a letter to Murphy with one request: Don't reopen the schools this year. Read more: Keep NJ Schools Closed, Education Groups Tell Gov. Murphy

Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know