Wayne Schools 'Expect' To Stay Open After Winter Break

WAYNE, NJ — As more school districts around New Jersey plan closures because of rising coronavirus cases, Wayne Township Public Schools "expect" to reopen after winter break, Superintendent Dr. Mark Toback said Thursday.

The district may face staffing issues because of the surge in cases and quarantines, but officials are "well-prepared to deal with a variety of scenarios," Toback said.

The state hit record-highs for case totals for two days straight. The New Jersey Department of Health reported 9,711 new cases Wednesday and 15,482 on Thursday. State officials also announced confirmed 61 new COVID-19 deaths in the past two days.

A growing number of schools have temporarily switched to virtual instruction or plan to do so after winter break. Nearby, Haledon schools closed for four days of remote learning Monday. Paterson schools will go virtual after the break and return Jan. 18 to in-person learning.

But Toback also relayed news that could prevent some quarantine periods. New Jersey may soon have a "test and stay" option in which students identified as close contacts could be able to stay in school with regular testing.

Students would take rapid tests over several days before entering the classroom. The option could become available in January, state officials said.

Wayne schools will also increase in-district testing options as New Jersey faces heightened demand for COVID-19 tests. Starting Jan. 11, the district will offer voluntary testing for students two days per week — 2:30-5 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays in the Environmental Center behind the cell phone tower (50 Nellis Dr.).

New Jersey schools haven't been immune to state's recent surge in cases. Last week, 12.05 of every 1,000 school employees and 7.8 of every 1,000 students tested positive for the virus. In the last week of November, 4.3 staff and 2.66 students per 1,000 came down with cases.

Next month, Wayne schools will report cases each week under the district website's "COVID Updates" tab.

Read Toback's full letter to the Wayne school community.

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