Coronavirus: Holmdel, Rumson Schools Prep For Virtual Classes

RUMSON, NJ — Rumson-Fair Haven High School will close early Monday to prepare for the impact of coronavirus. And Rumson is not alone: Schools across the state of New Jersey are either closing early Monday or closing entirely, such as in South Brunswick, Cranford and in Morris County.

Should the coronavirus strike in New Jersey, local Monmouth County schools are preparing to teach virtual classes.

Saint John Vianney High School, a private Catholic high school in Holmdel, told its students Wednesday to prepare for the possibility of virtual classes. And Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School is planning a special 1:54 p.m. dismissal on Monday, March 9 so the school can prepare for virtual learning should the virus strike.

"We added an early dismissal on March 9 so that we can provide timely information to our staff regarding the latest information and any plans we may need to make," said Rumson-Fair Haven superintendent Debra Gulick.

Rumson is preparing for online learning should the virus occur in New Jersey: The March 9 dismissal is so administrators can “work with faculty and staff to refine the details of our online instructional plan," said the district in a letter sent home to parents Wednesday.

So far there, are no cases of coronavirus in New Jersey.

She added that the Rumson-Fair Haven school district periodically has early Monday dismissals.

Saint John Vianney is similarly preparing for e-learning to keep students away from each other.

"We are well prepared if any issues arise in the future with coronavirus or the flu," said Saint John Vianney administrators in a statement released Wednesday. "Our school days can become virtual school days if deemed necessary."

"We are prepared so that there will be no pause in the educational process. Canvas, our learning management system, will allow students and teachers to interact remotely in the case of a school closure due to weather or illness. Students have direct access to digital textbooks, discussion boards, videos, documents, and video lessons through Canvas. Teachers, staff, and students can also communicate through our email system," said Saint John Vianney.