SP-F Parents Say Kids Still Suffering, Push For Full Time Return

SCOTCH PLAINS/FANWOOD, NJ — Scotch Plains-Fanwood Elementary School students will be returning to school full time for five days beginning on Monday, May 17. However, some parents are saying this isn't enough calling for the district to also bring back middle and high school students.

"Our children are still suffering," said Danielle Wildstein, one of five parents who filed a lawsuit against the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Regional School District, Board of Education and Superintendent Dr. Joan Mast in late December for keeping students out of school. Read More: Parents Sue Scotch Plains-Fanwood Schools For Closing Amid COVID

"The school year is ending but it is not too late and these middle school and high school kids are being left behind," said Wildstein. "The district has not only failed our children but given up - at least on our middle or high school students."

Dr. Joan Mast sent out a letter to the community last week announcing that the district was going "to take the necessary steps to prepare our five elementary schools to return to a full day schedule beginning May 17th should conditions permit. The prerequisites necessary to open are: the COVID-19 activity level must be in the yellow/moderate zone; and, the COVID indicators have to be trending in a favorable direction."

However, the letter also noted that middle schools, including grade 5, and high schools will continue to operate on the current schedule at this time. It went on to state that "no changes will be made between now and the end of the school year" in regards to the high school.

"Your commitment to putting our students first is the quality that makes our district schools a positive place for teaching and learning. Your continued cooperation and dedication are needed and valued," said Mast.

Vicki Dembiec, who is another parent on the lawsuit, and Wildstein said they emailed Mast asking why middle and high school students could not return this school year. They pointed out that 246 other New Jersey public school districts or 30 percent of schools have already opened full time.

Mast did not respond to the parent's email, said Wildstein.

When Patch also asked when middle or high schools would return this year and if not why. Mast referred Patch to the April 28 letter to parents.

Wildstein said the lawsuit will continue to work to get all students back in school.

Gov. Phil Murphy continued his push on Friday for all children to return to their classrooms this year, saying they can't stay away from full in-person instruction for an entire year. Read More: Gov. Murphy: NJ Needs All Kids Back In Classrooms Amid COVID

"That's not fair to them, their families, their communities, or their futures," Murphy said "We will continue to work with these schools through the Department of Education and alongside local leaders and stakeholders to move this along."

Just five public school districts and 11 charter and special services schools remain on fully remote instruction, representing about 53,000 students, Murphy said. That's down from 142 schools and districts as of the beginning of March, he said.

— Additional reporting by Karen Wall

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