Morris Plains Schools Submit Coronavirus Plan

MORRIS PLAINS, NJ - The Morris Plains School District has prepared for the encroaching novel coronavirus, or COVID19 by submitting a plan for virtual instruction for approval, according to Superintendent Mark R. Maire.

"The NJDOE provided guidance regarding requirements for public health-related school closure. Specifically, districts are required to develop a virtual learning plan as soon as possible, which we must submit to the county office for approval," Maire said in a message to parents. "Administration dedicated time today to develop, what we believe, will be a reasonable and sustainable plan. We are fortunate that our student information system, Genesis, and our online classroom environments, i.e. Google Classroom, are web-based and allow us to communicate and provide instruction to students in a digital and/or electronic format."

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Maire noted that according to the DOE, if the NJ Department of Health directs the district to close schools, employing a county-approved virtual learning program is the only means to have the day count towards the 180 day requirement. Last week, Maire said they submitted the Virtual Instruction Plan to the county office for approval.

"We will begin working with staff next week to promote awareness and collect important feedback and insight," he said. "To support the execution of our Virtual Instruction Plan, we are collecting data on accessibility to WiFi and devices for all Morris Plains School District students."

Maire also said that a survey has been set up to help the district prepare for a potential closing.

"For our school community, we need to prepare for the possibility that schools could close and that if they do close, there may not be a lot of forewarning. As a result, students should bring home important belongings and work items on a nightly basis," Maire said. "If there is a need for a closure, we may not have the ability to bring students or staff members into school buildings to retrieve personal belongings.

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