Half-Days This Week As Collingswood Schools Prep For Coronavirus

COLLINGSWOOD, NJ — The Collingswood Public School District will have an early dismissal on Thursday and Friday as the district prepares for the possibility of home-based learning due to coronavirus.

On Thursday and Friday, elementary school students will be dismissed at 12:30 p.m., while middle school and high school students will be dismissed at 1:04 p.m. Elementary school conferences scheduled for Thursday will be rescheduled by the teacher. The Oaklyn K-5 school is included in this early dismissal schedule.

Collingswood is among a growing list of school districts that are holding half-day or in-service days to prepare for a disruption due to coronavirus. Read more here: Update On NJ Coronavirus School Closures: Here’s The Latest

“Teachers and other professional staff will use this time to take part in training and develop lesson plans for immediate implementation should the school districts be ordered to close,” Collingswood Superintendent of Schools Scott Oswald said in a statement. “With plans in place, we hope to be able to complete a “test run” with students next week to ensure that they can access all available resources. The district is currently making plans for students who may not have online access, those who require special services, and those who are eligible for free or reduced breakfast and lunch. We will share those plans at a later date.

“Now is the time for you to plan, as well. If schools are ordered closed, it may happen suddenly. No one has any idea how much lead time will be available nor for how long school may remain closed. Now is the time to review your work schedule, speak with your relatives, friends, and neighbors, and make plans for child care. One of the goals behind closing schools will be to keep children separated. As such, it is unlikely that schools will be used as a place to care for children.”

Three cases of new coronavirus have been reported in the region. On Tuesday, the first two presumptive positive cases in Burlington County were reported. On the same day, Camden County said the condition of the Cherry Hill man who had been diagnosed had been upgraded.

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The New Jersey Department of Health has partnered with the New Jersey Poison Information and Education System to open and operate a call center (1-800-222-1222) for public use regarding questions, concerns, and other information related to coronavirus spread in New Jersey. More information is also available on the state's coronavirus webpage.

See related: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know