North Hudson school districts are shifting instruction plans as the municipalities cope with an increase in COVID-19 cases.
Secaucus
The Secaucus school district will go virtual until January 15, according to Superintendent of Schools Jennifer Montesano. This comes after public schools reported students or staff tested positive three weeks in a row.
The district had planned to shift from hybrid instruction to in-person on November 9. The district has now scrapped those plans due to the numerous COVID-19 cases.
“Although we were optimistic we would be able to move to our Phase 2 plan after the November break, we feel that moving to Phase 2 at this time is not the best option for our school community,” Montesano said in a letter to the community.
The district will remain virtual through January, when officials will reassess the plan and decide next steps.
Montesano continued: “As always, we share your frustrations and appreciate your constant support and patience during these unprecedented times. We anxiously await the return to normality, but in the meantime, we need to stay vigilant and understand that safety must come first.”
Weehawken
In Weehawken, the school district went temporarily virtual starting on Oct. 30 after students and staff tested positive, according to Superintendent Eric Crespo.
Due to multiple virus cases, the district will go virtual until Nov. 16. Athletic events will resume on Nov. 14.
Residents are advised to wear masks, wash or sanitize hands frequently, practice social distancing at all times, avoid crowds, and stay home.
“We remain committed to having our students and staff return to live instruction as soon as we can do so in a safe manner,” Crespo said.
For questions or concerns, residents should contact their principals.
North Bergen
After operating on a virtual instruction plan for the past seven weeks, the North Bergen School District will begin transitioning to a hybrid instruction plan, according to Superintendent of Schools Dr. George Solter.
There will not be a date where the entire population comes back at once. On specific days, each grade will return. The Reopening Committee will determine the schedule.
West New York, Union City, and Guttenberg
The West New York school district remains virtual. A hybrid plan will be phased in, but it is not clear when that will be.
Public schools reopened virtually in Union City and remain virtual. Superintendent of Schools Silvia Abbato said the district will move to a hybrid in-person learning plan only if the the data supports that decision.
In Guttenberg, the district will continue with hybrid instruction, despite a staff member testing positive on Nov. 2. The only school in the district is the Ana L. Klein Elementary School.
For updates on this and other stories, check www.hudsonreporter.com and follow us on Twitter @hudson_reporter. Daniel Israel can be reached at disrael@hudsonreporter.com.
