Ocean City Schools To Close Tuesday Amid NJ Coronavirus Spread

Update, 4:15 p.m.: The Ocean City School District will release students early Monday and close Tuesday. The district will determine whether a longer closure is needed.

Superintendent Kathleen Taylor announced the update Sunday in a letter to the school community. Students and parents will continue to receive information about plans for remote instruction and food-service programs.

Read Taylor's announcement below:

There are no confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Cape May County as of Sunday afternoon. Governor Phil Murphy announced 31 new cases in the state Sunday, bringing New Jersey's total up to 98. Read more: NJ Coronavirus Update: Gov. Murphy Considers Curfew, 31 New Cases

"This decision was not taken lightly, and we understand the impact this has on families," Taylor wrote, "which is why the Cape May County School Districts have come together to close our schools starting Tuesday, March 17th."

The district set up a webpage of cancellations and postponements. Pre-school sessions and open houses, the Pi Day Run and SAT test have been indefinitely postponed so far.

The school district submitted its remote-learning plan to the County Education Department, Superintendent Kathleen Taylor wrote Friday in a letter.

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Murphy announced Saturday the second death in the state due to the coronavirus: a woman in her 50s who was treated at CentraState Medical Center in Monmouth County. Read more: 2nd Death Due To Coronavirus In New Jersey

Many nearby school districts also announced closures. Several nearby districts released a joint statement Saturday to announce from Monday through March 30. Mainland Regional High School, Charterneck High School for the Performing Arts, Northfield, Linwood and Somers Point made the announcement.

Ocean City's school district has taken several enhanced cleaning protocols, including the following:

• In addition to regular custodial cleaning, all high-touch areas are being cleaned with EPA approved disinfectant chemicals on a daily basis.
• Clorox Total 360 Machines are deployed in each school and are being utilized daily.
• Odorox units are in service in the nurses’ offices and wellness rooms.
• Bathrooms are being disinfected daily.
• Clorox disinfecting wipes have been distributed in classrooms throughout the district. These were provided in the event staff would like them available to supplement the cleaning plan already in place by our custodial staff.

Additionally, the Ocean City Free Public Library will visit the Primary and Intermediate schools to ensure every student has a current library card. The cards will give students access to resources besides the ones the district has provided.

If your child leaves an item at school, email their principal or call their school's main office and leave a message. The school will coordinate retrieval.

Murphy has called closing all New Jersey schools "inevitable" but has not announced a statewide closure.

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