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Ridgewood NJ, a year ago, 57% of public schools all across the U.S. chose online learning over in-person or hybrid teaching.
COVID puts Spotlight on School Choice
Tag: in-person learning
Teachers Unions Pushing to Mask Up Schoolchildren
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Ridgewood NJ, so what’s behind the American Academy Of Pediatrics call For masks for students . The American Academy Of Pediatrics grabbed a lot of headlines with their indefensible recommendation to mask all schoolchildren. So what did they cite to support that position ?
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US CDC released updated guidance for COVID-19 prevention in K-12 schools: Prioritizing a return to in-person learning for students this fall
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Ridgewood NJ, On July 9 the US CDC released updated guidance for COVID-19 prevention in K-12 schools, prioritizing a return to in-person learning for students this fall and highlighting the importance of vaccinating as many eligible children as possible. So far, 1 in 3 adolescents ages 12 to 17 have been vaccinated, a number experts are hoping will increase over the coming months. Overall, the CDC recommends school districts tailor their recommendations to local laws and epidemiological situations, tightening or relaxing layered prevention strategies such as mask wearing and physical distancing based on local transmission rates. Some experts criticized the agency for leaving so many decisions up to local officials, saying more specific guidance would be helpful. Others, including officials with the country’s two major teachers’ unions, praised the guidance, calling it “grounded in both science and common sense.” With nearly all of the nation’s school districts set to open this fall, the CDC updated its guidance based on progress in the national vaccination campaign.
Back to School New Report Says “full capacity, in-person learning can be safely achieved”
file photo by Boyd Loving
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Ridgewood NJ, a new report by the ABC Science Collaborative demonstrates that in-person schooling with proper masking protocols can safely be pursued at all educational levels in the US. The report analyzed 864,515 students and 160,549 staff members across 100 school districts and 14 charter schools in North Carolina. Under the state’s “Plan A” protocol, masks were required for all students and staff in all educational areas, including bus rides to and from school. Over the 4-month study period, 1 in 127 students and 1 in 138 staff were diagnosed with COVID-19, although researchers stated that around 95% of those infections occurred within the community and not in school. The report ultimately recommended that full capacity, in-person learning can be safely achieved at all grade levels with strong adherence to mask mandates. With adherence to masking protocols, students could be less physically distanced and even reach full capacity on school busses. The report provides strong data-driven evidence for in-person learning, as school district administrators nationwide create their plans for the upcoming school year. Still, vaccinations among eligible students and staff will be key to relaxing masking measures in the future.
Ridgewood Schools will be open for full-time, in-person instruction and lunch, with the goal of operating at pre-pandemic norms for 2021-2022 school year
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Ridgewood NJ, a few hours before the Board meeting, Governor Murphy announced that masks will be optional in the fall; however, the District has not yet received any specific guidance. As a result, some of the information in the presentation regarding school operations and scenarios for the 2021-2022 school year is already outdated. Schools will be open for full-time, in-person instruction with lunch, and the goal is to operate at pre-pandemic norms. Modifications have been made to health and safety protocols and will continue to be updated as more information becomes available. Should districts be authorized to make decisions on a local level, RPS will collaborate with the VOR Health Department, School Physician, and District Mental Health Coordinator to determine local guidelines.
Rutgers-Eagleton Poll : Majority of New Jerseyans Support Fully Reopening Public Schools in Fall
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New Brunswick NJ, as vaccination rates increase and prospects of normal life return more than a year into the coronavirus pandemic, New Jerseyans differ on various aspects of this “new normal” and how comfortable they feel, according to the latest Rutgers-Eagleton Poll.
Governor and U.S. Secretary of Education Visit Bergenfield High School to Highlight Importance of In-Person Learning
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Bergenfield NJ, Governor Phil Murphy and U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona today visited Bergenfield High School to discuss the importance of in-person learning. While the pandemic led to a temporary statewide closure of schools in March 2020, public schools serving over 95% of New Jersey’s nearly 1.4 million students are now learning in-person either on a full-time or hybrid schedule. Governor Murphy has also required all schools to provide full-time, in-person instruction for the 2021-2022 school year, with no remote learning option available.
Gubernatorial Candidate Ciattarelli Calls for Full Reopening of New Jersey’s Economy
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Sommerville NJ, Republican gubernatorial frontrunner Jack Ciattarelli and successful small businessman released the following statement on his proposal for reopening New Jersey’s economy, promoting personal responsibility and choice, and getting our children back to in-person learning:
Ridgewood Goes Back to School
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Ridgewood NJ, on Facebook ,Ridgewood School Board President Michael Lembo commented on the beginning of Phase 2 and getting students back into classrooms:
Ridgewood Schools Move to Phase II of the reopening plan starting April 19
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Ridgewood NJ, Ridgewood Schools implemented the K-1 model on March 29 . Phase II of the reopening plan begins on April 19. The number of remote students for Phase II (10% at the elementary level to 25% at the high school level) is consistent with where they were in September. We still need parents and students to be vigilant and to assist us in keeping schools open by not hosting large gatherings of students where COVID is easily spread. To help combat the spread of the virus, remember to follow the 3W’s – watch your distance, wear a mask, and wash your hands.
Despite the Uptick in COVID Cases the Ridgewood School District is Still on Target for April 19 In Person Learning
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Ridgewood NJ, in the Ridgewood Superintendent’s report Dr. Gorman commented on Ridgewood Schools transition to Phase II for students in grades 2-12 on April 19.
“Over the prior two weeks, we have seen a 3.5% increase in the number of students returning to in-person instruction. Kindergarten and first-grade students began an expanded in-person instructional model yesterday, March 22, and it was very exciting to see the students from both cohorts together in the classroom. The District will transition to Phase II for students in grades 2-12 on April 19. This date is still tentative, as it is dependent upon the COVID positivity rate not increasing. Families will continue to have the option to choose the fully remote model for the remainder of the school year. Visit the Reopening Our Schools site to view the Phase II communications, the COVID Dashboard, and related resources.”
Demonstration at Ridgewood Board of Education Meeting for all day In-Person school
photo by Boyd Loving
Ridgewood NJ, prior to the Ridgewood Board of Education meeting on Monday Night protesters gathered outside the Ed center on Cottage place. The group of determined parents pushed for the return of in person classes for Ridgewood schools.
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Children Need to Go Back to School
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Ridgewood NJ, Dr. Michael Martin, president of the Virginia chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, pleaded with the legislature in Richmond to open all schools in the state. Dr. Martin noted that the Virginia AAP surveyed its member pediatricians and found:
University of Florida Study : Schools can Implement Testing Protocols to Promote In-person learning while effectively mitigating transmission risk
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Ridgewood NJ, a study conducted by the University of Florida and the Florida Department of Health, published in JAMA, investigated the impact of student quarantine and testing protocols at K-12 schools in Alachua County, Florida. Data indicate that the COVID-19 incubation period in children is 6 to 7 days, shorter than the 4 to 5 days in adults. The county implemented 14-day self-quarantine for students exposed to known COVID-19 cases, and students were allowed to return to school early if they received a negative RT-PCR diagnostic test on Day 9 or later.
Ridgewood Schools Regular Hybrid Schedule on Wednesday
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Ridgewood NJ, all Ridgewood Public Schools will reopen February 3rd following the regular hybrid schedule on Wednesday. Please use caution and allow extra time to travel. For those students who walk to school, please dress warmly, allow for extra time, and use caution while walking.
