the staff of the Ridgewod blog
Ridgewood NJ,Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Robert Redfield said Thursday that the health risks of keeping schools closed are greater than those of opening them, amid a push by President Trump to have students in classrooms this fall. “I’m of the point of view as a public health leader in this nation, that having the schools actually closed is a greater public health threat to the children than having the schools reopen,” Redfield told The Hill’s Steve Clemons.
At the Ridgewood Board of Education during the discussion of the Infant/Toddler Development Center , “Due to the pandemic, the district may have to pivot at any time; therefore, we cannot guarantee that schools will not be directed to close buildings and transition to remote learning.” The district is currently surveying parents and prepping for the opening .
Following a White House event addressing plans for schools to reopen this fall, in which US President Donald Trump indicated that he would pressure states to resume in-person classes, President Trump criticized the existing US CDC COVID-19 guidance for schools. He described the CDC guidance as “very tough & expensive” and called for updated guidance that would be easier for schools to follow. Subsequently, Vice President Mike Pence stated that the CDC would issue revised guidance in the coming days. Numerous experts argue that softening the CDC guidance based on factors other than the available scientific evidence will inherently increase transmission risk in school settings.
In contrast to the statements by the President and Vice President, US CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield stated yesterday that the CDC will not issue updated guidance for schools. He emphasized that the guidance is a set of recommendations, not requirements, and that states and schools are responsible for making decisions regarding whether and how to implement protective measures. He also noted that the CDC will issue additional guidance documents, but they will include supplemental information as opposed to revised guidance.
While US schools have yet to resume after most closed in March, some summer camps are operating in various parts of the country. Several camps—which, much like schools, involve prolonged close contact between children and instructors—have already reported COVID-19 outbreaks, with dozens of students and camp staff testing positive, either while at the camp or shortly after returning home. Several of these camps have closed operations as a result of the outbreaks. Camps may not necessarily adhere to the same physical distancing, hygiene and sanitation, and other COVID-19 recommendations as schools will; however, these outbreaks provide some indication that COVID-19 can spread rapidly among children and staff and potentially result in further spread in the community.
Similarly, some sports programs, including college and professional, have resumed practices, and some have been forced to alter plans due to transmission of SARS-CoV-2 among players and coaches. Multiple universities, including the University of North Carolina and Ohio State University, reportedly suspended voluntary workouts following positive SARS-CoV-2 tests among players, coaches, and staff. The Ivy League conference announced the cancellation of all fall collegiate sports for 2020, which could potentially have far-reaching impact on other conferences and universities across the country. Following that announcement, the Big Ten Conference announced that it is removing all non-conference competitions from the schedule for all fall sports. It is unclear if or how this could affect post-season tournaments, championships, and football bowl games. Additionally, Stanford University announced that it is discontinuing 11 sports programs due to financial challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
This is a joke.
Either open the schools in the fall or just shutter them and go full time to remote learning.
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Keeping these schools closed in the fall will really screw up theses kids, but the NEA does not actually care about kids (as we have known now for many many years)
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It’s not going to be easy. I know they are trying to draft up a plan to open.
kids will go 2 days one week and 3 the next – missed days will be remote learning. Put it in the book.
Just announced in Westfield.
Glad our BOE was busy distracting the administrators over L. Weber latest crusade against good last week.
Changes will ultimately be decided by the NJEA and dictated to state government and the various school districts. At the very least, the NJEA will effectively hold veto power on any and all changes that are proposed to life in our public schools in response to COVID-19. For their part, the powers that be know not to push too hard for changes of which the NJEA will not approve. The final plan will preserve all of the jobs, pay and benefits the teachers and administrators currently enjoy, and disadvantage students more or less exclusively. It will amount to a huge middle digit to parents of current students, and to sheep-like taxpayers who diligently fund this nonsense year-in and year-out.