Millburn Students Return To On-Site School; What About Snow Days?

MILLBURN, NJ – After two weeks of remote learning, Millburn's middle and high school students return to hybrid learning Tuesday, and may face some changes.

Superintendent of Schools Christine Burton said in an update on Friday, "Our administrators, nurses, teachers, and custodians are preparing the buildings and classrooms for a safe return for everyone. At the middle and high schools, even with two cohorts, the schools are still able to maintain social distancing in the classrooms of 6+ feet. Their schedules are ready."

She noted that the desk shields for the elementary schools arrived Friday. They will allow for the extended day hybrid students to maintain a safe distance of 3-6 feet.

"Elementary (PK-5) students will remain on a virtual schedule through Jan. 22," she noted, "and will return to the hybrid schedule on Monday, Jan. 25."

COVID-19 numbers and vaccines

Burton also warned of a continued spread of COVID-19.

By Tuesday, the American death toll due to coronavirus was expected to surpass 400,000 lives, and the CDC said that 90,000 more could die in the next three weeks.

"Although the break allowed for families and staff to isolate themselves after holiday activities and travel, it is to be expected that as new groups come together there may be an uptick in cases," Burton wrote Friday, "we will continue to follow the health and safety procedures we have since the fall and to monitor illness in our school community, as well as in the wider area. I receive daily reports from the Essex County Department of Health that provide a variety of Covid-19 details."

She reported that she was also seeing more people get vaccinated in Essex County.

On Friday, Gov. Phil Murphy said that the state was waiting for more vaccines from the federal government, and addressed by smokers were being prioritized for eligibility before teachers.

On Tuesday, the Biden Inaugural Committee is hosting a nationwide COVIDMemorial observance in honor of those who passed away due to the virus in the last year. Among local towns participating is Westfield, which will host a livestream.

According to Patch numbers, 27 percent more New Jersey residents died in 2020 than in 2019 or 2018, and deaths rose by 44.5 percent in Union County from 2019 to 2020. Click to see the story here.

Will there be snow?

An email sent to the district last Tuesday also gave updates on snow days and delayed openings. It noted, in part, "We have one 'emergency closing day' left in the 2020-2021 school calendar. When there is a forecast for extreme winter weather (blizzard, nor’easter, ice storm, power outages, etc.), all schools will be closed for a 'traditional' snow day. All other inclement weather days during the school year will be Remote Virtual Learning Days. Depending on the weather, it may be a full day of school or a shortened day."

After the second emergency day, additional days will be taken away from the April Break.

So how does the forecast look this week? So far, Accuweather predicts only a few flurries on Wednesday for Millburn.

UPDATED: Early reports suggest there may be snow Monday night. Stay tuned!

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