By MADDY VITALE
Gov. Phil Murphy announced Monday that New Jersey's schools would remain closed in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic for the protection of students, faculty and families, although virtual learning will continue through the end of the 2019-2020 school year.
According to the governor's news release, while the prohibition of in-person instruction will be maintained through the end of the school year, public schools will continue to provide remote learning for students to allow districts to meet the state-required minimum of 180 instruction days.
All statewide schools closed as per the governor's order by March 18.
This is a difficult decision and I know that many students, parents, and staff would like to be able to return to school, Murphy said in the release. However, I have been unwavering on the message that we need to make decisions based on science, not emotion. And while New Jersey is making great strides in mitigating the spread of COVID-19, science tells us that at this point, we can't safely re-open our schools.
Ocean City Schools Superintendent Kathleen Taylor said in a statement after the governor's address, which was streamed on his Facebook page, We understand the need for Governor Murphy's decision today to keep our doors closed for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year.
Ocean City's district consists of a high school, intermediate school and primary school. In addition to Ocean City students, students from Sea Isle City, Upper Township, and Longport,and Corbin City in Atlantic County attend the Ocean City school district as part of sending/receiving relationships with the school districts. Approximately 58 Margate students attend through the school choice program.
Taylor emphasized that the district is keeping the students engaged and that the students, staff, educators and the community are coming together during this challenging time.
As a school community, we will continue to provide the best virtual environment possible for students to stay involved, engaged and encouraged to the best of our abilities, she said.
The high school graduation is scheduled for the second week of June. But in recent weeks, with social distancing restrictions still mandatory to lessen the spread of COVID-19, and an increase in positive cases and more deaths throughout the state, it became clear that schools would remain closed.
But it did not make the announcement Monday any easier. Not when milestones, such as high school graduation, would not be held the traditional way, where graduating seniors and their families and friends attend the ceremony at Carey Stadium outside of the high school, Dr. Taylor noted.
It is upsetting that we will not be able to hold end-of-year events on-site in our schools, particularly for our graduating seniors, she said. Collectively, we know and sympathize with all of our students, faculty, and families, as this is not the year that any of us dreamed of or could have anticipated.
Ocean City High School students from the Class of 2019 toss their caps in triumph at Carey Stadium.
Taylor expressed her gratitude to all involved in the school community.
We thank all of the students, faculty, and families for their continued commitment in the success of our OCSD community through these challenging times, she said. Please keep connected by visiting our School District website at oceancityschools.org, through our district and individual school Facebook pages, and our twitter pages.
Like Taylor, New Jersey Education Commissioner Lamont O. Repollet, who was the keynote speaker at Ocean City High School's 2019 graduation, said that he supported the governor's decision to keep schools closed.
I commend Governor Murphy's thoughtful, deliberative approach that takes into account the concerns of school administrators, teachers, and other stakeholders in the education community, Repollet said in a statement. However, the most compelling factor guiding today's decision is the health of New Jersey's students and educators, and their families.
In the weeks leading up to Murphy's order to close schools statewide March 18, the Department of Education required school districts to develop Emergency Preparedness Plans that addressed critical issues, such as the delivery of remote instruction, special education services, and food security.
Murphy's administration will call on school districts to revise their schoolwide emergency preparedness plans to address the extension of school closures through June 30.
