Lawrence Public Schools Going Ahead With Jan. 19 Reopening Plan

LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP, NJ — Lawrence Township Public Schools (LTPS) will be going ahead with their plans to reopen on Jan. 19, said school superintendent Ross Kasun.

Kasun said the school district will also have a varsity winter sports season in keeping with the guidelines provided by the New Jersey Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA).

"LHS winter sports athletes will receive more information from our athletic director and/or coaches in the coming days,” Kasun said.

However, the substitute teacher shortage in the school district continues, which could prove to be a hindrance to conducting in-person classes.

“Staffing challenges and the need to quarantine due to various COVID-19-related scenarios remain,” said Kasun. "Thus, we anticipate not always being able to fill a position when a teacher or aide is absent. When this happens, students in the class may either stay remote for the day, be shuffled to another class while maintaining social distancing guidelines or learn asynchronously in a safe space in the school,” he said.

LTPS will also continue to offer free breakfast and lunch to all children under the age of 18, regardless of current lunch eligibility payment status.

“This service will continue until further notice,” Kasun said. No sign up is necessary; and free, reduced, and paid students, as well as siblings at home, are eligible for free meals.

Parents, neighbors or students are permitted to pick up meals for families who cannot make it to the lunch distribution site during the scheduled hours.

Here’s the plan for school reopening beginning Jan. 19:

• Pre-K through grade 3 students who selected hybrid instruction and special education students in grades PK-6 who had previously returned in October or November will return to school on Tuesday, January 19.
• Grades 4-12 students who selected hybrid instruction will return to school Monday, January 25.
• Principals will send schedules to their students. The in-person school day for students in the hybrid option is approximately four hours. No lunches will be served in school.
• Meal Distribution: Five breakfasts and lunches will be distributed at Lawrence High School (2525 Princeton Pike) every Wednesday from 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Schedule changes due to school holidays will be announced in advance. Masks and social distancing are madatory when entering the school building.
• The YMCA child care program will remain open. Contact Jeff Hirschman at jhirschman@capitalymca.org with questions.

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