Morris School Cases Lowering, But Full-Day Coming Next Year

MORRISTOWN, NJ — As new coronavirus infections become less frequent throughout the state, so goes for the Morris School District. The district, which has logged 456 infections since fall, only reported six active infections as of Monday.

The district, like many, faced criticism from parents advocating for the schools to push up the timeline in the reopening process. Morris began the school year with elementary students return five days per week but with partial days. Middle and high school students began with hybrid models but have since returned to in-person education every day.

But the schools have operated on partial days because of logistical issues with meeting COVID-19 protocols during lunchtime. Vaccinations against the virus became more prevalent in the community in recent months, and eligibility for the Pfizer vaccine recently expanded to children ages 12-15. But the expanded eligibility came a little too late to affect the district's plans.

"It certainly would have been a 'game changer' back in September but as of May 20th it has little impact on our plans," district spokesperson Dr. Jennifer van Frank said in an email. "Our students, like most schools in Morris County, are attending five days a week."

The COVID-19 dashboard shows only three active cases in the elementary grades and three for middle and high schools. The tallies combine student and staff cases.

Once New Jersey made teachers eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations in March, the district partnered with Atlantic Health System. About 90 percent of faculty and staff are fully vaccinated, says van Frank.

The district doesn't have data on the number of students inoculated. But they felt forming a similar partnership to get students vaccinated wasn't necessary, since COVID shots have become more easily accessible since March.

Gov. Phil Murphy ordered a return to in-person schooling for the 2021-22 academic year. Students will no longer have the option for remote learning. The decision won't impact summer school.

State officials expect to release more detailed protocols and guidelines in June. Read more: NJ Lifts COVID Travel Advisory, Orders In-Person School Next Year

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