New Jersey's largest school system will return over 35,000 students to school this morning, but in a virtual setting.
District officials announced in late July that they have opted to return to learning virtually and educators have spent just over a month planning how their classrooms and lessons will look -at least- up into November, where district leaders will determine if it is safe to return to school buildings in the Newark.
According to the district's website, Newark, with 66 schools, 5,877 employees and a student population of 35,329, is the largest and one of the oldest school systems in New Jersey.
Newark Board of Education Superintendent Mr. Roger Leon announced to staff in a convoction that what parents and students will see in the fall is vastly different than the emergency virtual learning seen this past spring.
Newark schools ended in March when the deadly COVID-19 (coronavirus) shut down schools and businesses around the state/nation, killing over 189,000, with about 6.3 million contracting the virus nationwide.
NJ Governor Phil Murphy said COVID-19 has affected 196,000, with 15,991 dying from the virus in the state alone.
Parents who remained optimistic about the online learning approach expressed excitement about their kids' new way of learning and supported Superintendent Leon's rigorous strategy.
"I support and believe in Superintendent Leon and Newark's educational staff. They’re going to take into consideration the well-being of the whole student, the whole scholar, before even delving into and jumping into academics,” a Newark South ward parent said.
“We have to consider the fact that our children have been away from their friends, classmates and favorite teachers for so very long… those first few days will be a little tough, but the content and material that will be delivered will be top-notch. I believe the district will do a great job with what they have," the parent concluded.
Our Metro Morning Crew wishes all in NJ a productive first day of learning. We will get through this together.