Hillsborough Schools Remains Virtual Thursday After Cyber Attack

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — Hillsborough Township Schools will remain all-virtual on Thursday following a cyber attack on the district's system on Sunday night.

The district continues to work with its technology team, cybersecurity experts and law enforcement to establish a timetable for the restoration of the operation of its systems and return to in-person learning as quickly as possible, said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Lisa M. Antunes in a letter to parents Wednesday.

• Read More: Cyber Attack Closes Hillsborough Schools Monday

"I would like to extend my sincere appreciation for your continued patience and understanding," said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Lisa M. Antunes. "This continues to be an overwhelmingly complicated task with many moving parts and I am happy to share that we are making tremendous progress in a very short amount of time."

School Messenger updates will continue to be sent each day until the situation is resolved to advise the status for the next school day. Parents should also be on the lookout for updated information from the building principals.

Previously, student athletics were canceled as a result of the cyber attack. However, Antunes said adjustments have been made to the schedule and athletes will be contacted by their coaches.

The fourth marking period is slated to begin on Monday and Antunes said she does not expect any changes to the start of in-person learning at Hillsborough High School and Hillsborough Middle School.

Antunes also included a FAQs to answer parents' and students' questions:

FAQs - Parents / Students

1. Why did we move to all-virtual learning? At this time, the cyber attack is an ongoing investigation. We are very limited in sharing the many factors that affect information we can provide to staff and families. A timetable for the completion of the restoration of the operations of our systems cannot be provided at this time.
2. When will the district return to in-person learning? School Messenger updates will be sent each day until the situation is resolved advising the status for the next day. Due to the ongoing investigation of the cyber attack, we are limited in sharing certain information until our assessment is complete and we understand the full scope of the incident.
3. Has any of my personal information been compromised? The integrity of student and school information is our top priority in addressing this situation. At this point, we are investigating what, if any, personal information has been compromised. However, we will share updated information as it is received.
4. Can students utilize their Chromebooks? Yes. At this time, Chromebooks are unaffected and students may access their Google docs, participate in Google meets, etc.
5. If schools are closed for additional days, will there be busing for out-of-district (including Vo-Tech) students? As is typical when we use emergency days, there is no busing on these days. Busing information for out-of-district students on all virtual days will be provided by the Transportation Department.
6. How will the district calendar be affected? On Monday, April 12, we utilized our second emergency day. We have one more emergency day built into the 2020-2021 calendar. If unused, the district will be closed on Friday, May 28. This will be confirmed at a later date.
7. Why are after-school events and activities canceled? At this time, the cyber attack investigation is an ongoing, active investigation. We are very limited in sharing the many factors that affect information we can provide to staff and families. In some cases, we are simply not permitted to share sensitive information. A timetable for the completion of the restoration of the operations of our systems cannot be provided at this time.
8. When will after-school activities resume? In the last 24 hours, we have been able to make some adjustments to athletic schedules. Student-athletes should have been contacted by their coaches about changes. If you have additional questions, email Athletic Director Michael Davis at mdavis@htps.us.
9. Will this incident affect the return of students who opted for in-person learning at HHS and HMS on Monday, April 19? As of this moment, we do not expect any changes to the start of in-person learning at HHS and HMS on Monday, April 19.
10. How will food distribution work? If you are in need of food, please email Kathy Major-DeGregorio at kmajor@htps.us.
11. Will students be able to get schedules for the start of the 4th marking period? We are working on various options to get schedules to students by Monday, April 19. This may or may not be able to occur, but we will keep you posted.
12. How will I get updated information? You will receive logistical information from your building principal as soon as quickly as possible.
13. If Genesis is down, how will parents be contacted in the event of an emergency? Our building administrators have backup copies of contact information for all students.
14. Are district phones working? Once we have staff in buildings, phone calls will be answered. Right now voicemail is not working. Emails to staff members may be sent.
15. Will before and after care be provided? At this time, and as typical, when schools are closed, before and after care will not be provided.
16. Will the April 12 Board of Education meeting be rescheduled or will the next meeting be on April 26 as scheduled? At this time, we are unsure if the meeting will be rescheduled.
17. How long will it take to restore our system? We are working to restore operation of our systems as quickly as possible. At this time, we are not able to provide a timetable for the completion of those efforts. We thank you for your patience.

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