Why Berkeley, Central Staff's Kids Can Go To School 4 Days A Week

BERKELEY, NJ — The Berkeley Township and Central Regional School Districts have allowed children of staff to attend school four days per week, both superintendents confirmed. Students in both districts have been physically attending school two days per week through their hybrid models.

Social media posts about arrangements for children of staff have prompted criticism from some parents who say their children should be able to attend school full-time too.

But each district allowed children of staff to attend school in-person four days per week to prevent teacher shortages, officials said. This became part of the back-to-school plans that stakeholders began discussing in the spring and summer.

The arrangement for children of staff was "used to avoid a teacher shortage and it is always better educationally to have the actual teacher in the classroom rather than a substitute," said Central Regional Superintendent Dr. Triantafillos Parlapanides.

Seven children of Central Regional staff attend school in-person four days per week. Berkeley Superintendent Dr. James Roselli says 36 of his district's 429 employees bring their children to school four days per week.

More Berkeley staff take advantage of the opportunity because the school district serves younger children, according to Berkeley Superintendent Dr. James Roselli. The Berkeley district hosts elementary schoolers and feeds into Central Regional, which has a middle and high school.

Officials said they understand parents' frustrations. Both districts will meet next Thursday to determine whether they can safely let more students return.

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The districts originally each planned to return to school with maximal in-person attendance. But state officials updated regulations as the summer progressed, making those plans more difficult for the districts.

Parlapanides said parents can discuss matters by contacting him at 732-269-1100 ext. 3206 or tparlapanides@centralregion.net. But he says Governor Phil Murphy's restrictions have limited the district's options.

"I am frustrated, and I understand the parents 100 percent," Parlapanides said. "But they need to focus on the problem, and that is the governor. All complaints about schools and businesses being limited in their capacity should go directly to the governor."

Currently, Central Regional students with last names beginning with letters A-L attend in-person classes Mondays and Tuesdays. Students with last names M-Z go to school Tuesdays and Fridays. All students learn remotely Wednesdays. The Berkeley district split students up into similar cohorts and schedules.

Although some parents have pushed for schools to allow more in-person learning, Roselli thinks things have gone well so far. Kids have done well with the mask protocols and are happy to see their friends again.

"The opening was amazing," Roselli said. "To see the kids all dressed up — the little girls with their dresses on and the boys with their haircuts and sneakers — they were happy."

Read more: NJ Coronavirus, Reopen Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

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