Freehold Regional High School District Sets In-Person Return Date

FREEHOLD, NJ - After three weeks on an all-remote learning schedule, students at Freehold Regional High School District are slated to return to in-person classes on a hybrid schedule starting Oct. 19, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Charles Sampson announced Thursday.

Pupils will be assigned into two cohorts based on last names (A-L and M-Z) and will partake in in-person instruction at least two days a week, with Wednesday serving as an alternating day between cohorts. Self-contained special education and English Language Learners will follow an in-person schedule Monday through Friday.

A full-remote option will still be available, and can be selected via Genesis (for instructions, see here).

“As a reminder, students both in school and at home will continue to attend their scheduled classes every day following the partial day bell schedule via Google Meet and Google Classroom,” Sampson wrote in a message to parents detailing the reopening. “After the partial day schedule ends, teachers will support students during designated times until the end of the full day bell schedule.”

Related: Freehold Regional HS District Is Hiring Bus Drivers, Teachers

Freehold Regional High School District operates six schools serving eight communities: Colts Neck, Englishtown, Farmingdale, Freehold Borough, Freehold Township, Howell, Manalapan and Marlboro.

The school district previously announced in August that its enrollment of nearly 11,000 students was to be taught on an all-remote schedule until at least mid-October. Sampson also mentioned at a board of education meeting over the summer that roughly 250 staff members would be requesting leave or accommodations for the 2020-21 school year. Related: Amid Staff Shortage, Freehold HS District Will Begin Remotely

"Unfortunately, a significant number of employee workplace accommodations and leave requests will not allow us to adequately staff our buildings in a manner that provides for effective teaching and learning to occur in our Hybrid Schedule," the superintendent wrote in August.

The reopening decision comes as spikes of positive COVID-19 cases have been reported in Ocean and Monmouth counties in recent weeks, with Monmouth County seeing 374 new positive cases last week (Sept. 20-26).

“To date, the total number of positive COVID-19 cases in Monmouth County since March is 11,915,” said Freeholder Director Thomas A. Arnone at a recent press conference. “Monmouth County COVID cases have recently increased in young adults who are experiencing mild symptoms.”

“The nature of COVID-19 makes it likely that we will, despite our best efforts, have positive cases this school year,” continued Sampson.

“We will do everything possible on our end to prevent the need for a building closure, but we need the support of our community in order to continue in the Hybrid Schedule. Please speak with your student(s) regarding the importance of social distancing, particularly at off-campus events. If we all remain vigilant and follow current CDC health guidance, our students will be able to enjoy some normalcy this school year.”

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