Ocean City Schools Move To 5 Days In-Person Next Month

OCEAN CITY, NJ — The Ocean City School District will soon allow students to attend in-person five days per week. The first phase of the reopening plan welcomes students in kindergarten through fifth grade back to school in the beginning of February.

At this time, students in Pre-K and grades 6-12 will continue hybrid instruction with additional student-teacher time. Parents of students in these grades will receive more information next month about plans for five-day instruction. Students enrolled in virtual learning will continue their schedule as is.

Superintendent Kathleen W. Taylor announced the district's reopening plan in a letter to parents on Tuesday. Taylor did not specify a specific reopening date yet.

“It’s been a group effort to get the district to where it is now. Everyone has worked hard and utilized every ounce of information we’ve been able to accumulate over the last five months to feel confident in our strategy to open for five-day instruction,” Taylor wrote.

The first phase of the reopening plan is based on recent studies that younger children are less likely to contract and transmit the COVID-19 virus. Taylor also cited educational studies which show students in grades K-5 are in the age group most in need of in-person leaning and interactions.

“These grades have the lowest number of students per grade and the largest classroom space, which enables us to reopen our K-5 classrooms for those students in our in-person instruction program,” Taylor said.

Parents of students in grades K-5 will receive additional information on the return to five-day instruction as well as a survey in the coming week.

“As we work to enact this next phase, we will continue to practice social distancing to the greatest extent possible, as well as continue to enforce the current CDC guidelines, ultimately aiding in a full reopen. Students and staff will also benefit from added Plexiglass barriers and other equipment," Taylor said.

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