Glen Rock Schools Return To In-Person, But Prepare For Virtual

GLEN ROCK, NJ — Public school students returned to class on Monday, in-person, just like they have been all year.

The post-winter break return came amid rising cases of COVID-19, COVID-19 testing shortages, and concern about the omicron variant. However, district officials said they feel confident they can continue in-person instruction uninterrupted.

In a letter to the school community, Superintendent Brett Charleston committed to full-day, in-person instruction, and also provided a few updates on quarantine protocols and school lunch.

He also hinted that, although his commitment remains, circumstances may change, and the district is prepared for a shift to remote instruction.

"We are committed to the continuation of full day in-person instruction," said Charleston.

"However, we are also prepared to pivot based on local COVID-19 data and/or Department of Health guidance or if we receive direction from Governor Murphy or the Department of Education."

According to Charleston, the only instance in which the school will close a school building is due to staffing shortages. He doesn't anticipate that being a problem at the middle school or high school, as he said those locations have "adequate staff for substitute coverage."

Here are a few of the protocols the district is following upon the return from winter break:

• Those who have received a booster vaccine won't need to quarantine following an exposure to COVID-19
• Middle school students can leave the building for lunch during the week of Jan. 3, and the district will revisit the policy weekly
• Elementary parents can sign their child out for lunch
• Student athletes won't be tested for COVID-19, but this policy will also be revisited regularly

Patch recently asked our readers what they thought about an in-person return to school, or whether they believed a virtual option was mandatory. Here's what they had to say: Virtual Option For NJ Students In COVID Surge? Readers Respond