Howell High School Closes For 2 Weeks Amid More COVID-19 Cases

HOWELL, NJ - Students at Howell High School will transition back to all-remote learning on Monday, Nov. 9 after at least three community members tested positive for COVID-19. The school will operate on a virtual schedule through Nov. 16.

The school is closed on Nov. 6 and 7 for the annual New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) convention.

In a letter addressed to parents on Wednesday, Superintendent of Schools Charles Sampson noted that the closure comes amid the notification of several positive test results within the school community:

“As part of our Restart and Recovery Plan, I am informing the entire Howell High School community that the District was notified that additional members from our school community tested positive for COVID-19,” the letter reads.

It was not immediately clear how many individuals tested positive as of Thursday afternoon.

During the remote period, all indoor school functions will be cancelled, including the SAT exam scheduled for Nov. 7. All students and staff will follow the partial day schedule and participate remotely via Google Meets.

All close contacts have been identified and are receiving additional calls from the local health department. Outdoor activities are slated to continue.

“Families with a close contact should make every effort to connect with the health department once they reach out so important health information can be explained,” Sampson wrote. “We ask that the community refrain from spreading rumors and false information regarding positive cases.”

According to an email from Sampson reported by the Asbury Park Press, the closure is “it is a direct result of a large party hosted by a parent with students and that there are zero issues or instances of any in-school transmission.”

It was not immediately clear when the gathering occurred or how many people attended.

Howell High School is one of six schools in the Freehold Regional High School District, which recently moved to a hybrid learning schedule on Oct. 21.

The Asbury Park Press also reported that Sampson noted 34 students out of more than 10,000 in the district had tested positive for COVID-19 last month before the move to in-person classes.

“The rise in preventable COVID-19 related incidents that originated outside of school directly forced our hand to temporarily close school to ensure the safety of our students and staff,” the letter continues. “Please enforce social distancing protocols and refrain from hosting or attending large gatherings outside of school so that we can collectively work to maintain a safe school environment. Thank you for your continued support as we work to prioritize student safety and learning during these challenging times.”