Summit Schools To Expand On-Site Learning Next Month

SUMMIT, NJ — The Summit Public Schools announced last week that they will expand in-person learning for grades six and up to five days a week in mid-April, as long as certain precautions can be implemented in time — particularly installation of 2,000 dividers that have been ordered to help students social distance.

"We are excited to announce that we are able to increase in-person learning opportunities," said a message from the Superintendent's Office on Friday. "We will be ... welcoming students in grades 6-12 for in-person learning five days a week on a single session schedule, with remote instruction in the afternoon."

The changes will take place after Spring Break (see the school calendar here). Parents must register in advance.

The schedule is:

• April 12: Grades 8 and 12 return five days per week
• April 15: Grades 7 and 11 return five days per week
• April 19: Grades 6, 9, 10 return five days a week.

The change is subject to the installation of additional protective equipment, said the superintendent, including the installation of the dividers to help with distancing.

"Both local and statewide trends indicate that school is a safe environment for students and staff," said the message. "Community conditions continue to trend in a positive direction ...
It is not our intention to alter these plans. However, if our community sees a spike in COVID-19 cases, we will collaborate with the DOH to evaluate any changes to this model."

The Middle School and High School principals will send additional information to their school communities, said the message. Middle School and High School principals will also hold remote Q&A forums for families.

The district said it has been in communication with Overlook Hospital to help staff get the COVID-19 vaccine. Teachers are now eligible to receive the vaccine. READ MORE: NJ Teachers Now Getting COVID Vaccines

See the district's website here.

Want to be the first in your neighborhood to get breaking news alerts, or a daily morning newsletter of news in your town? You can sign up for Patch alerts and/or a free a daily digest of news here: Sign up and choose your preferences.

Got news? Email caren.lissner@patch.com. Got photos? Please include express written permission from the photographer for us to use them. To be the first to get free news alerts with breaking stories in your town, or to get a free local newsletter each morning, sign up for Patch breaking news alerts or daily newsletters.