Lawrence Public Schools To Go Remote Through Jan.18

LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ — As coronavirus cases surge across the state and county, Lawrence Township Public Schools has decided to go all-remote through Jan. 18. The announcement was made by school Superintendent Ross Kasun.

On Nov. 30, grades 4-12 hybrid students were supposed to return for in-person classes. “However, due to the sharp and sobering increases in COVID-19 statistics, we will not be able to continue our move toward hybrid and in-person instruction,” Kasun told the school community in a message.

Beginning Nov. 25 all students, including PreK to 3 and special education students in grades 5-12, will move to remote learning model till Jan. 18.

“Although I am saddened about not opening our schools for in-person instruction and reverting back to a complete remote model, I cannot, in good conscience, open as we planned. My responsibilities include being the steward of safety and learning. Both would be compromised by instituting what we previously planned,” he said.

Here are some important dates and details:

• All students will follow the remote instruction schedule.
• The elementary principals (grades PreK-3) will send schedules for their respective schools to their students.
• The current remote instruction schedules for grades 4-12 will remain the same.
• The school district anticipates returning to in-person hybrid instruction for Pre-K through grade 3 and special education students who are currently receiving in-person instruction on Tuesday, January 19.
• The date for grades 4-12 students who selected hybrid instruction to return to school for in-person instruction is now anticipated to be Monday, January 25.

Kasun said that staffing challenges and the need to quarantine due to COVID-19 cases was a major reason to modify plans.

“This year, it is simply not possible to cover all classes with substitutes, as many are not available to work due to their concerns about COVID-19,” he said.

“Substitute availability is almost non-existent. When a teacher or aide is absent, we will most likely not be able to fill the position, which means that the students in that class will either stay remote, be shuffled around, or learn asynchronously in a safe space in the school. Having very few substitutes who are willing to work is a massive problem and a major disruption to learning.”

This year, over 40 staff members have had to quarantine due to COVID-19.

“Please be mindful that once we do return to again having hybrid, in-person instruction, and if a teacher has to quarantine, all students, including those students on hybrid instruction, may be remote during the teacher’s quarantine period,” said Kasun.

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