Berkeley, Central Reg. Continue Work Toward School Reopenings

BERKELEY, NJ — The Berkeley Township and Central Regional School Districts could finalize plans for their next steps in reopening during the coming weeks. But both districts face different challenges and, because of that, potentially different timelines.

Both school systems began the year with a hybrid model. The Berkeley district is working on plans to open schools five days per week with four-hour sessions, Superintendent Dr. James D. Roselli told parents and guardians in a Friday letter.

"Our return plans cannot be accomplished without following these basic principles," Roselli said. "Students and staff must be seated at least 6 feet apart. Students and staff must wear a mask at all times. Student desks must face the same direction in the classrooms."

The district will finalize plans after the November break, which takes place this week. If the new schedule changes a child's placement in remote or hybrid learning, parents may contact their child's building principal by Nov. 12.

"Please keep in mind these proposed plans may be revised based on any directives from Governor (Phil) Murphy or the Department of Education," Roselli said.

Central Regional, meanwhile, will finalize its plan at Nov. 19's board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Triantafillos Parlapanides told Patch. Their next step will increase in-person learning while following guidelines and restrictions from officials.

But five-day, in-person schooling is still "a ways away" because of requirements from the CDC and Murphy's restrictions, according to Parlapanides.

"Each school district is different, and the plan has to follow the strict guidelines of the governor and the CDC," he said.

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 has reported three coronavirus outbreaks in Ocean County schools this fall. Publicly available state data does not clarify in which schools outbreaks have occurred.

"Outbreaks" indicate two or more laboratory-confirmed cases among students or staff within a 14-day period. They must be epidemiologically linked in the school setting, not share a household and not identify as close contacts of each other in another setting.

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 Berkeley Patch on Facebook. Have a news tip? Email josh.bakan@patch.com.