Wyckoff Public Schools Delay In-Person Start

WYCKOFF, NJ — Wyckoff students will have to wait at least 10 days into the school year before heading back to the classroom, the district announced this week.

In a letter to parents, Superintendent Kerry Postma said that in-person instruction would resume on Thursday, Sept. 24, stating that delays in construction projects and uncertain delivery timelines for necessary supplies and equipment forced the district's hand.

According to Postma, renovation projects at two Wyckoff elementary schools are facing unexpected delays, but are expected to be completed in early September.

Additionally, Wyckoff, like other districts around the state, has been playing the waiting game on important personal protective equipment, which, Postma said, should be delivered within the first two weeks of September.

A massive uptick in PPE orders have caused delays in districts receiving PPE, so Wyckoff is not alone in the waiting game.

New desk shipments have also been delayed, but are expected to come in sometime in early September. The district will then need to provide time for assembly, installation and distribution to classrooms and isolation rooms.

"We need to make sure that we have what we need and are ready to serve our students and provide the best possible educational experience and safest environment for our students," said Postma.

With this announcement, the district has made changes to the middle school schedule, instituting a minimum-day schedule rather than a full day schedule. This will be in effect from Sept. 24 to Oct. 23.

"This decision was made based on two factors: collective feedback from parents and staff expressing concern regarding the risks associated with large gatherings of students despite measures taken to mitigate such risk by moving dining outdoors and a series of logistical issues that arose when planning for in-person dining," the letter read.

Middle school students within the hybrid model learning system will now attend in-person classes in the morning, and learn virtually during the afternoon.

The district has also extended the deadline for parents and guardians to choose a learning model for their students, in correspondence with the delayed in-person start.

Parents now have until the end of the day Sunday, Aug.30 to submit their decision.

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