Summit High School Is Remote 14 Days; On-Site Reopens In 42 Days

SUMMIT, NJ — It was just on Nov. 19 that Summit High School students returned to school from two weeks of remote education. Now, thanks to coronavirus, they're about to go remote for another two weeks — which takes students to winter break, which means they'll be back at school on Jan. 19, 2021.

On Tuesday night, Superintendent Scott Hough wrote in a letter, "The district has been notified that an individual from Summit High School has tested positive for COVID-19. Our Nursing Department, in collaboration with the Department of Health, conducted contact tracing for this case."

He noted, "Potential close contacts at the school have been identified and notified. Based on recommendations from the Westfield Regional Health Department, we are closing Summit High School for in-person instruction for 14 days."

Instruction will be remote from Dec. 9 leading right up to winter break.

All district schools will be remote from Jan. 4 through Jan. 19, the day after Martin Luther King Day. Families have been asked to return to New Jersey by Jan. 3 so as to quarantine after possible holiday exposure.

"In yesterday’s COVID-19 notification letter, we mentioned updated guidelines from the state’s Travel Advisory," Hough wrote. "Per the CDC, local health authorities make the final decisions about how long quarantines should last, based on local conditions and needs. Our local Department of Health is recommending a 10-day travel quarantine for travelers and residents who are returning from states and territories beyond the immediate region. We will adhere to their 10-day quarantine recommendation and continue to follow guidance from our local health experts who are dedicated to our local needs."

He said, "If you learn that your child has tested positive for COVID-19, immediately contact the building principal, school nurse, and covidreporting@summit.k12.nj.us if notifying after school hours. The timely notification will allow us to immediately begin contact tracing."

Members of the Summit High School community can expect additional communications from Principal Grimaldi with specifics on instruction, scheduling, and returning, Hough said.

School sports were canceled two weeks ago because of the virus, and specifically because Union County is in a "high risk" zone for transmission.

Coronavirus in Summit

• For a story about recent Summit coronavirus statistics and where to get tested, click here.
• The city said this week that there were 59 new cases in a recent three-day period, and 13 of those were 18 and under.

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