Warren Schools Are 'Full Steam Ahead' For In-Person, Hybrid Plan

WARREN, NJ — Warren Township Schools will be sticking with its reopening plan to offer an in-person, hybrid plan along with a fully virtual option for parents as the new school year begins in September.

Superintendent Dr. Matthew Mingle said the district had already submitted its plans for approval to the County Superintendent when Gov. Phil Murphy announced last week that school districts can to choose to go all-remote when school restarts in September. Read More: NJ In-Person School Instruction To Start; Districts Can Go Remote

"We have already been approved, showing we can comply with the state guidelines for health and safety. So we are still full steam ahead with our plans for the hybrid reopening with full distance option," Mingle said at Monday night's Board of Education meeting.

Warren's decision to stay on course aligns with the majority of parents in the district who opted for in-person learning.

Warren Township Schools currently has 1,572 students enrolled for the 2020-2021 school year. At this point, 18 percent have opted for full virtual learning while 82 percent have opted for the hybrid model, according to school spokeswoman Shannon Regan.

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.

Warren Curriculum Director William Kimmick shared with parents a presentation on how distancing learning will be conducted in the district. Additionally, he noted some differences students may expect who plan to return to schools in-person.

Some examples include the removal of classroom rugs and no more hugs from teachers.

He also added that the middle school will look more like an elementary school in terms of how the school day will be organized.

"It will be harder for middle school kids because they look forward to changing classes and using lockers. That's not what will take place this year," Kimmick said.

Instead, students will remain in their homeroom pods throughout the day while teachers will be the ones to switch classes.

"That is dramatically different," Kimmick said. "This way we can adhere to guidelines to reduce the mixing of students."

While Warren remains committed to in-person, hybrid learning plans more and more districts in New Jersey are switching gears to go all-virtual for the start of the school year. There are about 60 school districts choosing an all-virtual school year start including Scotch Plains-Fanwood, Hillsborough, Flemington-Raritan, Elizabeth, and Plainfield.

• 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.