Cranford Schools Chief: We Want Kids In School Every Day In Fall

CRANFORD, NJ — Exactly six months before the start of September, Cranford Superintendent of Schools Scott Rubin sent out a message to district families Monday with a goal for fall: To have all kids back in school buildings full-time every day, and still safe.

"I am writing to update you on our ongoing planning efforts for this coming September," Rubin wrote in what he said was the first in a series of updates to come. "The Cranford Public School District is working towards this goal: For all students to have the opportunity to safely attend school in-person, full-time, every day starting in September."

[Gov. Phil Murphy made an announcement Tuesday; read more: Expect All NJ Schools To Reopen By Fall, Gov. Murphy Says]

He noted:

"We have not yet received information from the state about any forthcoming parameters governing the fall return, so plans may have to be adjusted accordingly. We will provide you with periodic updates on our progress as well as opportunities for community input. We will share any updates we receive from the state regarding this matter."

He thanked those who helped open the schools this year and said, "We are one of the few districts that was able to develop a plan that enabled elementary school students to attend school every single day. Since the percentages of middle school and high school students who attend in-person are so high (approximately 75 percent), we must continue to provide the hybrid in-person style of instruction in order to comply with current safety guidance."

He noted, "We have had many districts reach out to us for information / tour our facilities to help inform their district plans. We are very fortunate to have these collaborative and mutually beneficial relationships with other districts.

"You may have read the recently released CDC reopening plans as well as other recent plans from districts trying to provide more in-person opportunities as of late. Every district has their own unique set of circumstances and obstacles to overcome. It is wonderful to hear that more and more districts are finding ways to provide more in-person instruction safely."

What about graduation?

"You will also be receiving correspondences directly from your respective principal as the district continues to work with its safety professionals to plan in-person activities and end of year events," Rubin said. "Although they may look different than they have in the past, we are confident that we can provide safe and memorable experiences."

He also thanked a series of groups and said they'd help plan for fall:

• School-based pandemic team: principal, PTA president, CEA representative, nurse, school counselor, child study team member, paraprofessional, custodian, secretary, teacher.
• District Leadership Pandemic Team: the entire administrative team, the PTC president, PASE president, CEA leadership, a building representative from each school.
• Community Pandemic Team: Office of Emergency Management, Cranford Police Department, Cranford Fire Department, Township Health Officer, the Mayor, nurse, Pomptonian Food Service, administrative team, Board of Education, early child care representative.

Other school news

• The Cranford public schools will go remote for the four days after Spring Break ends in April.
• Teachers will be eligible to be vaccinated in New Jersey on March 15. READ MORE: Coronavirus Vaccine Eligibility to Extend To NJ Teachers.
• In the next proposed state budget, Cranford will tentatively gain $475,000 in school aid, or a 16.12 percent increase, for the 2021-22 school year. The district is set to get a total of $3.4 million.

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