Ocean City Schools Weigh Options For Fall Return

OCEAN CITY, NJ — The Ocean City School District has important decisions to make before in-person learning, in some capacity, returns this fall. The district's Return to School committees continue to work out details for the reopening plan.

The district must submit their plan to the New Jersey Department of Education for review before it advances to the Board of Education in early August.

"Within the next few weeks, we will present to families our proposed remote and in-person plans," Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Taylor wrote in a letter Friday to the school community. "At that time, families will also receive a survey for selecting the best available option for your child."

The district sent a survey to parents, which revealed 87 percent of respondents feel "somewhat to very comfortable" having their child physically return to school for some portion of the day or week.

As schools prepare to return for fall, the coronavirus pandemic has made it difficult for districts to strike a balance between safety and education. Related article: Should New Jersey Schools Reopen This Fall? Take Our Survey

Governor Phil Murphy announced June 26 that New Jersey schools would reopen in fall. The state provided additional guidelines that include face coverings and placing students 6 feet apart. Each district must develop a plan to reopen their schools that meets New Jersey's guidelines.

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"Both health and education experts share our frustrations in determining how to give students the best possible education — and OCSD certainly knows how to do that — but to also keep them, staff, and communities safe," Taylor said.

Read Taylor's letter below:

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

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