Ocean City Schools Moving Forward With Reopening Plan

Ocean City NJ

20 August, 2020

12:12 PM

Description

OCEAN CITY, NJ — Despite changing state guidelines and the option to begin the school year all-remote, the Ocean City School District will move forward with its reopening plan. Eighty-nine percent of parents in the district said in a survey they would like their child to return to in-person learning, according to Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Taylor. Students in those families will participate in a hybrid education plan in which they physically attend school two days per week. New Jersey families can also for their child to learn completely remotely. "I want to reassure you that in Ocean City, we have worked through those health and safety standards, followed the CDC's Health Guidelines and Considerations for Schools, and consulted exhaustively with our County Health Department to develop our Return to School Plan," Taylor said Thursday in a letter to the district. County officials have reviewed the school district's plan and determined it meets all elements of the New Jersey Department of Education's Reopening Document Checklist. See the outline here. Governor Phil Murphy announced last week that districts can choose to begin the school year with all-remote learning. At least two-dozen districts — mostly in North and Central Jersey — have chosen this option. New Jersey Coronavirus Updates: Don't miss local and statewide announcements about coronavirus precautions. Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters. The New Jersey Department of Health also offered its own guidelines Thursday for keeping schools open in the fall. The guidelines lists scenarios in which the DOH would recommend school closures, including identification of two or more cases within 14 days across multiple classrooms. Read more: Here's How The Coronavirus Could Close Any NJ School State officials confirmed Wednesday that at least 139 school districts want an all-remote start of the school year. Read more: NJ: 139 School Districts Want All-Remote Start Amid Coronavirus Read more: NJ Coronavirus, Reopen Updates: Here's What You Need To Know Click here to get Patch email notifications on this or other local news articles or get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our app. Download here. Follow Ocean City Patch on Facebook. Have a news tip? Email [email protected].