Princeton Schools Plans For Multiple End-Of-Year Possibilities

PRINCETON, NJ — Princeton Schools Superintendent Steve Cochrane says the district is continuing to plan for multiple end-of-year possibilities following Gov. Phil Murphy's announcement that school closures will be extended through May 15.

"In extending school closure until at least May 15, Governor Murphy is helping us hold out hope for a possible return to our buildings before the end of the year. I am grateful for that. At the same time, however, his decision accentuates our uncertainty," Cochrane said on Friday.

If schools were to reopen in four weeks Princeton would have to implement a myriad of logistical and health related changes in order to bring the thousands of students and adults back into schools safely, Cochrane noted.

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"The governor's announcement places us in the position of needing to plan for that possible re-entry as well as for the still more likely scenario that schools will remain closed through June or beyond," Cochrane said. "As a District, we will continue to plan for multiple possibilities. And as a superintendent, I will continue to be incredibly grateful for the creativity, flexibility and resiliency of our students, staff, and families."

Additional planning is also needed for many end-of-year activities and events such as prom and graduation.

Administrators at Princeton High School are already meeting with student and parent representatives to consider how to make those events most meaningful should they be postponed or held virtually, Cochrane said.

Planning is also being done for moving-on ceremonies at the elementary and middle schools, and for events such as field days or end-of-year concerts.

The district is also offering help to families in need due to the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic.

If a family's economic circumstances have changed, and they believe their children may qualify for the federal breakfast and lunch program, they can find an application and income guidelines here.

A week's worth of breakfasts and lunches are distributed every Tuesday to more than 500 of Princeton students through school buses parked in neighborhoods throughout town.

In addition, beginning next Tuesday, Princeton Schools will be distributing a week's worth of dinners for families whose children meet the federal guidelines.

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

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