Scotch Plains-Fanwood To Reopen With All Virtual Learning Plan

SCOTCH PLAINS/FANWOOD, NJ — The Scotch Plains-Fanwood Regional School District will now have an all virtual plan for its reopening. The first day of school will also be pushed back to Monday, Sept. 14.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Joan Mast announced the change in the reopening plan on Friday following the release of recent guidance from the NJ Department of Health. Once approved by the County Superintendent, the district will start school in September using the At Home Virtual learning model.

"For the last six months, we have all navigated the ever-changing landscape that the coronavirus pandemic continues to create. Throughout, the health and safety of our students and staff have been our top priority. As we face the start of a new school year, health and safety must remain at the forefront of our concerns," Mast said in a letter to the community Friday.

The DOH on Thursday released its own recommended health and safety protocols for parents, teachers and school nurses to follow if schools that have in-person instruction experience even one case of the coronavirus. Read More: Here's How The Coronavirus Could Close Any NJ School

For example, it could take just two coronavirus cases — even if they were detected in separate classrooms — to shut down a school building in September, according to the long list of rules provided by the NJDOH.

Mast also noted a few factors that contributed to the district's decision to update its reopening plan.

Mast pointed to New Jersey, which remains in the moderate zone for the spread of the Coronavirus disease, and that the district's buildings are not ventilated to the level required to contain the spread of COVID-19.

With an all-virtual plan, students would follow a set schedule, that is similar to the one for the hybrid model. The structure will include real-time interaction between students and teachers.

Along with the plan update, the district is delaying the start of the school year for students until Sept. 14 in order to give the administration and staff members four days to prepare, and will also help to ensure that all students are equipped with the technology they need to participate in the virtual instruction.

"I am confident that together, we will continue to successfully educate our children in the months ahead. We must protect the future by standing united as a community of parents, students, teachers, administrators and Board of Education members. This pandemic will eventually end and what will matter most, is that we move forward through this time united in protecting our community," Mast said.

A series of virtual information sessions will be held the week of Aug. 24 with Mast and the administration to listen to parents' questions and concerns.

Scotch Plains-Fanwood is not the only district to switch gears to an all-virtual plan. In Union County, Elizabeth and Plainfield schools will reopen with an all-virtual model. Additional schools across the state to go virtual include: Bayonne, Freehold Township, Jersey City, Montclair, New Brunswick, Toms River, and Willingboro.

See below to view Mast's full letter to the community:

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