NJ - Please get our children back to school full time
Parents know what is best for their children and they should have the choice of whether they want to send their kids back to full time in-person learning or distance learning.
Many private schools have been fully open this year. This means that only families that can afford private school tuition will receive a high quality education, if public schools continue with hybrid learning.
Schools should determine, in collaboration with state and local health officials to the extent possible, whether and how to implement each of these considerations while adjusting to meet the unique needs and circumstances of the local community. Implementation should be guided by what is feasible, practical, acceptable, and tailored to the needs of each community.
What schools can do
To stay safe, there are a number of steps schools should take to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. They include:
American Academy of Pediatrics recommends desks 3 to 6 feet apart,
Physical distancing. The goal for students and adults is to stay at least 6 feet apart to help prevent the spread of the virus. However, research has found that spacing desks at least 3 feet apart and avoiding close contact may have similar benefits--especially if students wear masks or cloth face coverings and do not have symptoms of illness. Teachers and staff should stay 6 feet apart from other adults and from students when possible.
- If there is an apparent
conflict between recommendations set forth in the American Academy
of Pediatrics (AAP) standards and CDC guidelines, which set of
standards should districts abide by?
Districts should comply with those provisions identified as anticipated minimum standards in the Department’s reopening guidance, which was developed in consultation with the NJ Department of Health. All other resources referenced throughout the guidance, such as the AAP standards and CDC guidelines, are designed to support local decision-making and consultation with local health officials.
From <https://www.nj.gov/education/reopening/faqs/index.shtml>