Superintendent Allows Virtual Learning For Quarantining Students

ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NY — The subject of COVID-19 was up for discussion for the Rockville Centre Board of Education.

While the amount of cases connected to the omicron variant eclipses 20 percent on Long Island, many parents want remote learning to get reenacted temporarily. However, Acting Superintendent Robert Bartels made it clear at Thursday's meeting that was not on the horizon.

"Students belong in schools where they can get the best possible instruction," Bartels said.

There is one adjustment to receiving an education from home; as Bartels pointed out, due to the rising number of students testing positive and quarantining, the school district is allowing logging on while waiting for results.

Aside from a quarantine, Bartels is confident in students remaining in school, as he said the Nassau County Health Department and the school district did not find any transmission of the virus within the schools.

"I know there are a number of parents who would like it to be a parent choice, but we believe students who can attend should be in school," Bartels said.

The superintendent said this as the number of cases is steadily decreasing from up to 70 quarantines in the first week of January to below 20, as of Jan. 13.