Fair Lawn Schools Reverse Course, Will Start Year Remote

FAIR LAWN, NJ — Superintendent of Schools Nicholas Norcia knows that instituting a remote learning model for the start of the fall semester won't be easy for parents. He knows this because he is one.

In a letter to Fair Lawn parents and guardians dated Aug. 17, Norcia announced that the district would be making the decision anyway, however, despite their best efforts to find a solution for in-person learning for all students, including his daughter, who will begin Kindergarten this year.

"The Central Office Administration and the Board of Education have decided, reluctantly, that we will be moving forward with an all-virtual start to the school year for students in Pre-K through the 12th grade, delaying the start of any in-person option," he wrote.

"We know how disappointing this decision is. We know many of you are and will be frustrated and angry. We know this decision will create hardships for a significant number of you. But based on all of the factors involved, we believe this is the best course of action at this time," he said.

Norcia said the district will now target Oct. 19 as the date for the reopening of schools, when the district will “phase in live instruction.”

“Ideally, we would like to provide an in-person learning environment beginning this September; however, we are facing a situation that is far from ideal,” said Norcia. “We prefer to err on the side of caution and begin the year virtually, albeit with significant improvements to our distance learning model.”

That model, he added, will include more “live instruction, student-teacher engagement and closely resemble a traditional, full school day.”

There were a number of factors that led to this point, Norcia said, not the least of which being the sudden change of heart from Gov. Phil Murphy, who last Wednesday announced that districts would have the option to begin the year fully remote.

Until that point, Fair Lawn and districts across the state had already made plans for hybrid or in-person learning models. Many had already submitted them to state boards for approval.

Some Fair Lawn parents had already made the decision to enroll their children in a full-remote learning model, however.

According to Norcia, approximately 25 percent of the district's families had submitted responses to the district's "Opt Out Preference" form, choosing to have their kids learn from home.

Staff members were also opting out, as Norcia added that medical leave submissions and accommodation request had been received by the district, citing health concerns.

The concerns of teachers also played heavily into the decision to institute remote learning, Norcia added.

On Aug. 11 a group of influential state education leaders released a joint statement calling on Murphy to institute a statewide remote school opening directive.

The statement was issued by Dr. Richard Bozza, executive director of the New Jersey Association of School Administrators, Patricia Wright, executive director of the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association and Marie Blistan, president of the New Jersey Education Association.

"For months, New Jersey educators and administrators have been working tirelessly to find a way to safely bring students back into school buildings in September. Now, with less than a month remaining before schools are scheduled to reopen, it is time to reluctantly acknowledge that goal is simply not achievable," they said.

"We remain committed to getting back to in-person instruction as soon as it is safe. It is not safe yet."

In preparation for the precautions that would be needed, the district, according to Norcia, had already begun "a full scope purchasing process" which included nursing supplies, personal protective equipment and even new ventilation systems, as well as upgrades to existing systems.

"As we began to learn, these items were in high demand all across the state," wrote Norcia.

In fact, Norcia said, there were concerns about the back order of necessary PPE. Without PPE, of course, came additional health and safety concerns.

An upgrade to the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system in Fair Lawn schools is also planned, and is slated to take place in September, according to Norcia.

All of these factors led to the eventual decision to begin the year remotely, logistical issues or not.

As for next steps, Norcia says the district will “continue building a robust and quality Distance Learning Model,” and will be submitting a request for full remote learning to the New Jersey Department of Education’s Bergen County office.

“As a former teacher, as a parent of an incoming Kindergarten student, and as your Superintendent, I understand that this revision will not be easy for many families,” said Norcia.

“Despite input from all stakeholders and the exhaustive efforts of all district staff, these new factors create a level of uncertainty which needs further analysis and time in order to properly prepare a safe and appropriate education for all students.

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