Parents To Rally To Open Scotch Plains-Fanwood Schools

SCOTCH PLAINS/FANWOOD, NJ — Parents will be rallying to open Scotch Plains-Fanwood Schools on Tuesday after the district announced of Friday it would begin the school year completely virtual due to the coronavirus.

"We can force change or at least get our voices heard trying! Spread the word and hope to see you there!" wrote Danielle Prussin Wildstein on the Scotch Plains & Fanwood community Facebook page.

The rally will be held on Tuesday at 4 p.m. at Park Middle School, 580 Park Ave. Participants are asked to bring a sign and a mask.

New Jersey Coronavirus Updates: Don't miss local and statewide announcements about novel coronavirus precautions. Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters.

The rally flier points to a number of reasons to gather parents and residents of Scotch Plains and Fanwood including:

• How it is detrimental to children's educational and social development by having them stare at a screen all day;
• Not having a reduction or reimbursement in property tax payments for virtual educational services;
• And expecting parents to give up employment and pay for additional child care to be able to manage at home learning.

The Scotch Plains-Fanwood Regional School District announced on Friday they are reversing its plan to have an all virtual plan for its reopening. The first day of school will also be pushed back to Monday, Sept. 14. Read More: Scotch Plains-Fanwood To Reopen With All Virtual Learning Plan

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Joan Mast sent out a letter to the community citing the district's buildings are not ventilated to the level required to contain the spread of COVID-19.

The district's change in plans follows the release of recent guidance from the NJ Department of Health on Thursday. Read More: Here's How The Coronavirus Could Close Any NJ School

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

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here. Don't miss local and statewide announcements. Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters.