New Jersey Schools To Reopen In The Fall With Mask & Social Distancing Rules
State officials have announced that all New Jersey schools are set to reopen in the fall for the 2020-2021 school year with strict mask and social distancing rules for students and faculty.
The Department of Education shares the news in a 104-page reopening guide that leaves many decisions up to the individual school districts. The takeaways are that students must remain six feet apart in classrooms and on buses, with staggered lunch and recess times, and screening and masks required for all in-person instruction. Hours and days are not specified.
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Additionally, the guide let’s the district determine how they will create alternate schedules to combine remote and in-person instruction as all students can’t properly social distance while returning at the same time. Gov. Phil Murphy says, “This is an unprecedented time for our students and educators, but we are pleased to announce that we anticipate the return to our classrooms in some capacity this fall. The return to school will pose challenges, but we are confident that New Jersey’s school districts can move forward in a way that best serves the needs of their district while also achieving a safe environment for students and staff.”
Check out the full guidelines below, then leave us your thoughts in a comment via Yappa after
- Social distancing must be followed in classrooms and should be done on buses. Students should sit 6 feet apart, but if that is not possible barriers should be installed between desks or desks should all face one direction.
- Face coverings are required for teachers, other staff and visitors, unless they have a medical reason they are unable to wear them. Students are strongly encouraged to wear masks and must wear them if they can’t distance.
- More cleaning, disinfecting and handwashing procedures must be implemented for buildings and buses.
- Screening policies must be adopted by districts to detect if students and staff have symptoms or have been exposed to the novel coronavirus. State officials said that can include observation and temperature checks, which are preferred. Anyone who has symptoms must be isolated.
- If districts continue to use shared cafeterias, meal times must be staggered to allow for social distancing and cleaning between groups of students. Districts must stop self-service or buffet style lunches, opting instead for grab-and-go meals, for example.
- Recess must be staggered to limit the number of children, and playground equipment must be disinfected between groups. Schools should consider closing locker rooms, but physical education classes should continue.
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