5 Ridgewood Schools Go Virtual As Coronavirus Cases Continue

RIDGEWOOD, NJ — The list of schools in the Ridgewood Public School district closed due to coronavirus cases briefly shrunk to four on Monday after George Washington Middle School returned to in-person learning.

Then another school, Orchard Elementary, shifted to remote learning that afternoon.

So it goes in Ridgewood, where, as of Monday, five of the district's 10 schools have shifted to remote learning due to positive coronavirus cases.

Those schools include Orchard Elementary, Hawes Elementary, Willard Elementary, Benjamin Franklin Middle School and Ridgewood High School.

Somerville Elementary and Travell Elementary also have an active coronavirus case, according to a Sunday letter from the district.

These schools — excluding Somerville and Travell, which remain open — closed throughout the course of the last week, and have varying reopening dates set. On Monday, it was announced by retiring Superintendent Daniel Fishbein that the high school, originally scheduled to reopen Dec. 9 will now reopen the following day, Thursday, Dec. 10.

Here's when other schools are set to return:

• Orchard Elementary — Tuesday, Dec. 15
• Hawes Elementary — Thursday, Dec. 10
• Willard Elementary — Thursday, Dec. 10
• Benjamin Franklin Middle School — Wednesday, Dec. 9

When asked if the district would consider switching to a fully remote model, Superintendent Daniel Fishbein offered this statement:

"All decisions regarding the transition to remote learning are made in consultation with the Village of Ridgewood Health Department on a case-by-case basis according to the guidelines set forth by the New Jersey Department of Health and current public health data for our region."

This comes as Ridgewood, much like the rest of the state, has seen an increase in coronavirus cases since October. From Oct. 30 to Nov. 18 Ridgewood has reported an additional 100 cases.

Last week, it was announced the coronavirus activity level has risen from "moderate" to "high" in 18 New Jersey counties, including Bergen, according to the state Department of Health's "COVID-19 Activity Level Report."

READ MORE: Coronavirus Risk Rises To 'High' In Bergen County

There is also another transition underway in the district, where, after 12 years, Fishbein will retire. On Monday, the district announced that Ridgewood High School Principal Thomas Gorman will step in as acting superintendent, effective Dec. 11.

"I am humbled and honored to be part of this transition and appreciate the Board of Education's confidence in me," said Gorman. "These are very challenging times, and we have a lot of work ahead of us. But this district, with its faculty, staff and students, is second to none. I look forward to working with the Board of Education, our outstanding educators, and the entire community to accomplish our district's goals."

READ MORE: Ridgewood Board Of Education Names Acting Superintendent

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