South Brunswick Schools Get New ‘Expected’ Reopening Day, Feb. 4

SOUTH BRUNWICK, NJ – After the nor’easter delayed return to in-person classes in the hybrid model, South Brunswick schools has now set a tentative date — Feb. 4.

“This is now our expected return to in-person learning and a move to our new hybrid schedules. In other words, Thursday is the new Monday,” school superintendent Scott Feder said in a message to the school community.

South Brunswick School District was scheduled to welcome students back for in-person learning on Monday, Feb. 1. But the "major" nor'easter hit New Jersey on Sunday evening, continuing into Monday. It left much of the state covered in snow Tuesday morning.

As of Tuesday morning, the township received 11.5 inches of snow.

Students got a snow day on Monday, with Tuesday being an early release virtual school day (4 hour).

The district decided against reopening on Wednesday as they have concerns over clearing up snow in time.

“In speaking with our Building and Grounds and Transportation Departments, we will err on the side of safety as this storm is scheduled to continue through the night and into tomorrow,” Feder said Monday night.

Feder said Wednesday will be a virtual school day for students before they could return to school buildings on Thursday.

“We are making this decision in order to be able to provide the safety we need to have on our first day back for in-person learning and with all of the arrival protocols that are in place and the additional cars that we expect,” he said.

Meanwhile, the petition on change.org urging district officials to changes the hybrid schedule for high school students has garnered around 640 signatures.

Started by high school senior Emily Peterson, the petition asks officials to let high school student continue their class timings of 9 a.m. instead of the new 7: 30 a.m.

"Such a radical change in schedule, combined with so much work has made learning not conducive for the virtual setting," the petition said.

The new timings, which will come into effect on Thursday, was made to accommodate in-person and virtual students, as well as consider busing schedules.

District officials have not indicated of any changes to the new schedule.

Beginning Thursday, high school students will start classes at 7:30 a.m., and Middle school students at 8:05 a.m.

For more questions on reopening Thursday, the school district has asked parents and guardians to contact their child’s teachers or school.

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