Montclair Elementary School Students Return To Classrooms

MONTCLAIR, NJ — Montclair public school students have officially begun a gradual return to the classroom, marking the end days of a legal battle to reopen amid the coronavirus pandemic.

On Monday, pre-K to grade 5 students and their teachers returned for in-person learning, kicking off the district’s long-awaited hybrid plan.

It’s still unknown when Montclair middle and high school students will be able to transition from remote learning, although Superintendent Jonathan Ponds noted that the high school has released its reopening plan in a recent update to the community.

“Please note that if you have selected hybrid for your child and wish to change to all virtual, you may do so at any time,” Ponds stated.

Montclair school administrators shared some photos taken during Monday’s return to class, including images of Ponds checking his temperature at Nishuane School, one of several new policies aimed at preventing coronavirus infection.

• See related article: Montclair Schools Will Have Mandatory Masks, Temperature Checks

Monday’s milestone comes after a recently settled legal standoff between the Montclair Board of Education and the local teachers union, the Montclair Education Association (MEA).

The battle line was drawn around a tricky question: Is it safe for teachers, staff and students to return to classrooms in person?

The district was forced to hit the brakes on its plan to switch from all-online classes to a hybrid model when it couldn't find enough staff members to run its schools. Montclair's public schools have been operating remotely in the meanwhile, inspiring bitter pushback from some parents and strong support from others.

• See related article: Montclair Schools, Teachers Union Reach Settlement On Reopen Plan

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