Brick High School Shifts To Remote Instruction Amid COVID Spike

BRICK, NJ — Brick Township High School is switching to fully remote instruction beginning Tuesday after more cases of the coronavirus were reported, the school district announced Monday.

Last week, Superintendent Thomas Farrell announced the district was postponing its plans to move to expand in-person classes after there were more than a dozen new positive cases of the coronavirus reported.

Letters from Farrell and Brick Township High School Principal William Kleissler posted on the district's website did not say how many new cases were reported at the high school. The decision was made in consultation with the Ocean County Health Department, the district said. Brick High School students will remain on remote instruction through Dec. 11.

Ocean County has moved to "High Risk" on the state's COVID-19 Regional Risk Matrix, and surpassed 20,000 cases as of Sunday, with 20,300 as of Monday, up from the 18,621 on Nov. 21. Brick Township has nearly 300 new cases in that time, from 1,944 on Nov. 21 to 2,237 as of Monday, according to the Ocean County Health Department.

"This action is necessary due to the increased number of confirmed cases, data still outstanding, and the movement of the county to 'High Risk' status on the NJ COVID-19 Regional Risk Matrix," the letter said. "The decision to place Brick Township High School on full remote was not arrived at lightly, but at this time, the district believes this is the best decision to ensure the health and safety of our students and staff."

The hope is to return to the hybrid schedule of two days in person, three remote on Dec. 14 but the district will give an update the week of Dec. 7, officials said.

In addition to students and staff moving to remote instruction, the district will be limiting access to Brick Township High School to staff only while classes are remote.

Anyone who experiences symptoms related to the coronavirus should contact the Brick High School nurse and Kleissler.

Students who are not physically in school can pick up five days' worth of meals on Mondays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. or Fridays from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Brick Memorial or Brick High School. Follow the

instructions below to order meals at www.schoolcafe.com

Brick High School students who attend classes at the Ocean County Vocational Technical Schools are on remote instruction until Dec. 8, the district said in an update from its initial announcement.

"Please remain vigilant and adhere to the guidance from the CDC and the Department of Health," officials urged.

The Brick Township High School football team was shut down last Monday, before its final game, after a coronavirus case connected to the team was reported. Read more: Brick High School Football Ends Season Due To Coronavirus Case

This article has been updated to reflect a change in information for vocational students.

Click here to get Patch email notifications, or get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our app. Download here. Have a news tip? Email karen.wall@patch.com Follow Brick Patch on Facebook.