Howell Schools Closing For 2 Weeks Amid Coronavirus Concerns

HOWELL, NJ — Howell Township schools will be closed for two weeks starting Monday due to concerns about the spread of the new coronavirus, the superintendent said Friday.

Schools will be closed to students while the staff has an in-service day on Monday for the staff to get the remote learning plan enacted. Starting Tuesday, the district will switch to remote learning through March 29, Superintendent Joseph Isola said in a letter posted on the district website Friday afternoon.

"On Tuesday, March 17, the district will officially enact our remote learning plans," Isola said. "This means students will not report to school. They will begin to access their learning materials and home learning assignments via internet access and/or paper-based assignments sent home."

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Materials, resources, and in some cases, district devices, were being sent home Friday to prepare for the remote learning. Information on the remote learning for the different grades is posted on the district's website.

Howell's announcement came on the heels of the announcement by the Freehold Regional High School District that it will close for two weeks. Isola said the decision to close the K-8 district came in consultation with the Monmouth County Health Department and the county's executive superintendent, he said.

On Friday, the state health department announced the number of cases of COVID-19 had risen to 50 statewide, with seven of them in Monmouth County. COVID-19 is caused by a member of the coronavirus family that's a close cousin to the SARS and MERS viruses that have caused outbreaks in the past. So far in New Jersey, there has been one death, of a Bergen County man. Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

The remote office hours for school district staff will be Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 20 p.m. Students and parents will be able to contact staff during those hours. Staff will also be posting assignments, providing feedback, and communicating with colleagues.

School facilities will be open to staff only on Monday, while the remote learning plan is enacted, Isola said.

"We will continually monitor and evaluate the length of facility closures while following guidelines provided by our public health officials," he said. "Rest assured, we will do what is best for this great community and the students we serve."

In addition to the school closure, all afterschool, evening, and weekend activities will be either
canceled or postponed. All facility use events and rental activities will be canceled, and all athletic
practices and competitions are canceled until further notice.

"Should you have questions, needs, or concerns, please contact your school principal," Isola said. "Again, we understand the severity of this health concern and are following all guidance from state- and county-level agencies."

Note: This article has been updated with the closing announcement made Friday afternoon.

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