New Start Date For Cherry Hill Hybrid Learning After COVID Cases

CHERRY HILL, NJ — In-person learning in Cherry Hill public schools will begin sooner than previously anticipated following a spike in the number of coronavirus cases among students.

Hybrid learning will begin next week in the Cherry Hill Public School District, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Joseph Meloche announced on Wednesday.

Students in Cohort A will begin in-person learning on Tuesday, and students in Cohort B will begin in-person learning on Wednesday.

Special Education students in Cohort A/B will return on Tuesday, and attend from Tuesday through Friday each week.

Students in Cohort A will attend on Tuesdays and Thursdays, while students in Cohort B will attend on Wednesdays and Fridays, and Monday will serve as an all-remote day. The school district has the full schedule laid out on its website.

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In-person learning was set to begin this week, but that was delayed after about three dozen new coronavirus cases were identified among students throughout the district. Read more here: COVID Spike In Cherry Hill Kids Delays Hybrid Launch In Schools

Hybrid learning was pushed back to a Nov. 30 start date, but the Camden County Department of Health told Meloche on Tuesday that students could return to the buildings. Thus, the new dates were set for Nov. 17 and 18.

“Over the weekend, we had an influx of new cases from Cherry Hill,” Camden County Health Officer and Public Health Coordinator Dr. Paschal Nwako said in a letter to the district on Wednesday. “The influx of new cases were investigated, and close contacts were identified. No links were found that would impact the district returning to a hybrid schedule.”

Nwako said the recommendation from the health department the previous day was based on the department looking at the trends and determine where the influx of large cases was coming from and if they are linked. After looking at those trends, no link was found, Nwako said.

“We found that the influx of cases is not connected, and the cases can be excluded from the school if the school district had resumed in-person instruction today,” Nwako said.

It was one of the letters Meloche shared with the community to explain the situation on Wednesday.

“Like many of you, the educators of the Cherry Hill Public Schools have been on an emotional roller coaster with these directives,” Meloche said in a letter to the community on Wednesday. “We all wish the path through this pandemic were predictable and easy to navigate. Our reality is quite the opposite. With the decision to transition to the Hybrid Learning Model next week comes the possibility that we may receive guidance not to do so, if the community health status changes. We will remain in contact with Camden County Department of Health and will communicate as soon as possible any changes in our plan. One thing that remains steady is our schools’ and staff’s preparedness and eagerness to welcome back our students. With patience and grace, focusing on what is best for children, we will continue to move forward.

“Our ability to bring students back successfully rests with everyone’s commitment to taking all appropriate measures to minimize the spread of the virus as directed by the Camden County Department of Health, Gov. Phil Murphy, and the CDC. Parents, please continue to screen your children every day and please adhere to the recommended mitigation practices. We all want the very best experience for our students, under the safest possible conditions.”

Meloche directed parents to the frequently asked questions concerning hybrid learning and the coronavirus on the district’s website.