Bernards Twp. Schools Going Remote For A Week After The Holidays

BERNARDS TOWNSHIP, NJ — The Bernards Township School District will go remote for the week after winter break. Superintendent Nick Markarian told the school community that he doesn't want to risk a staff shortage when school gets back in session.

Bernards Township schools have seen success so far in minimizing the spread of the coronavirus, according to Markarian. But things get a bit more complicated after holiday breaks.

"Looking back on the week after the Thanksgiving holiday, we recognized that we were touch and go and came close to needing to close schools," he wrote. "Being able to adequately staff buildings, find substitutes, and still provide quality educational experiences has been a challenge throughout the fall, but especially following the holiday."

In-person schooling would proceed Jan. 11. Markarian wants people to dedicate Jan. 1-10 to staying healthy and taking care of their families.

Read Markarian's note below:

The school district has provided daily notifications on new cases within its facilities. So far this year, officials have identified 28 cases among students and 20 among staff.

Somerset County officials have reported 615 cases and 42 coronavirus deaths in Bernards Township since the pandemic began.

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