Hazlet Examining 'Possibility' Of Full Day In-Person K-6 Classes

HAZLET, NJ - Following a transition at Hazlet Middle School and Raritan High School to a four-day in-person schedule earlier this month, the Hazlet Township school district is pivoting its focus to reopen more classes to a younger age group.

In a Feb. 26 reopening update, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Scott Ridley announced that officials will now examine the ‘possibility’ of reopening K-6 schools to full-day, in-person classes with a lunch session.

“Unlike many other districts, those six schools have been in session five-days-a-week since September with an early dismissal and the conversation to build out that day has begun,” Ridley said (watch the full video update below).

“Regarding lunches and allowing kids to eat at their desks, it’s important to recognize that not all youngsters bring their lunch to school and serving them in individual classrooms would be a logistical challenge. Increasing the current number of lunch periods will be considered though each school has its own particular physical spacing limits and scheduling concerns and we would need to retain a number of lunch aides as well.”

Additional concerns previously cited by the official include maintaining small class sizes, reorganizing busing routes throughout the district and partnering with the Teachers’ Association to make certain there is equity across-all-schools regarding the length of the day and related responsibilities. Ridley also noted the difficult process of obtaining vaccinations, although teachers are now eligible for vaccines in New Jersey by March 15. Read more: Coronavirus Vaccines To Expand To NJ Teachers, Day Care Workers

The district continues to report a handful of cases per week, with approximately 11 cases reported last week and nine the week before that. There have been 1,533 total cases in Hazlet since the pandemic began almost one year ago.

“There are many moving parts to an undertaking of this nature and, unfortunately, no one-size-fits all solution. We will continue exploring a timeline for returning to full days once vaccinations increase and cases subside,” Ridley said. “A lot of adjustments were put into place to allow us to do what we’ve been doing since September and to unravel that will take a committed effort—we are aware of this and will proceed accordingly.”

The district previously prepared for the middle and high school four-day in-person return by installing additional plexiglass barriers and rearranging classrooms. One-way traffic in hallways will also be emphasized alongside high-touch surface sanitization between learning periods and face mask enforcement, according to a Feb. 12 video update from the district official.

The original date to begin four-day in-person instruction for middle and high school students in the district was Feb. 4. However, Ridley announced in January that the date would be postponed to Feb. 16 amid rising COVID-19 cases in the district. In a Jan. 27 video update, Ridley cited the continued uptick in COVID-19 cases across district, county and state, alongside the lack of available vaccines for staff, as reasons for the schedule change. Read more: Four-Day In-Person Classes Postponed For Hazlet Middle, HS

Nearby Holmdel schools returned to five-day in-person instruction on Dec. 14 following a nearly one-month virtual learning period across the district. The district is now seeking to bring back lunch to its middle and high school by March 8. Read more: Holmdel Students Return To Full Time In-Person Instruction

“Out of the fifty-two operating districts in Monmouth County, just five are open five days a week at the elementary level. In four of those districts, the entire K-8 population is housed in one building with an enrollment far less than what we have in Hazlet. Presently, we have eight schools up and running with early dismissal. Our District is often cited as an example of something to strive for,” Ridley said in his remarks.

“Like this community, this district doesn’t quit. However, it’s not an exact science and, as with any significant initiative, there are variables to consider and conversations to have. We’re on it and we’ll stay on it until we figure it out.”