Millburn, Other Teachers Unions Want Learning To Stay Remote – Millburn, NJ Patch

MILLBURN, NJ — More than a dozen representatives from teachers’ unions in Essex County, including Millburn, signed a letter last week saying that local school buildings should not reopen in September, especially with the coronavirus death toll higher in Essex than in every other New Jersey county.

As of Saturday, the county of Essex reported a toll of 1,842 deaths, making up more than 13 percent of New Jersey’s total deaths. A total of 19,300 Essex County residents have tested positive for the virus, including 45 more from Friday to Saturday.

The state has suffered more than 13,800 deaths since March, but new deaths have slowed to single digits each day after reaching a high of 460 in 24 hours on April 30.

More than half of the deaths in Essex County are in its cities, including Newark, East Orange, and Irvington. In Millburn, the death toll is listed as 6, with no new deaths in more than two months. (Read about recent local numbers here.)

Millburn Superintendent of Schools Dr. Christine Burton released details a week ago Monday of the district’s plan to reopen schools on Sept. 3, taking into account coronavirus precautions. The proposed “blended” plan offers a shorter day for students, combined with some virtual learning, so that only half the students will be in the buildings at a time. In addition, the state also said last week that all parents must have the option of remote learning as well, as the coronavirus pandemic continues to spread around the country.

While most children in the United States have not suffered severe effects from coronavirus, they can still spread it to parents, teachers, and others. A large-scale study in South Korea, quoted widely in a variety of American media outlets last week, has shown that teens spread it at the same rate as adults, more easily than younger children.

Gov. Phil Murphy has asked people returning to New Jersey from 31 other states to quarantine for 14 days. Coronavirus levels are increasing in many states (see the daily increases in each state here).

The teachers’ letter states, in part:

“We know that indoor activities in small spaces for long periods of time presents the highest risk
for the spread of Covid-19. Currently, the NJ Department of Health acknowledges that short
term, indoor dining is not safe. The World Health Organization now agrees that Covid-19 may
spread through the air in indoor enclosed spaces. Just this week it was reported that scientists
also believe that Covid-19 may be spread by HVAC units…”

The teachers added, “The other huge issue that makes resuming in-person instruction unsafe is compliance. Small children are not developmentally able to understand or undertake social distancing. It will be an impossible task to keep them apart. As educators, we are problem solvers and inherently optimistic. Just try to teach a lesson on Halloween and you will see optimism personified.”

They said, “This is not a challenge to be overcome, it is an impossibility. If we open buildings for in-person instruction, make no mistake, students will not maintain social distance and the results may be deadly. … The guidelines from both the NJDOE and the AAP are simply that, guidelines.”

To see the full letter, click here.

For more about Millburn’s reopening plan and related coronavirus updates, click here or see below.

Here are highlights of the Millburn plan:

For elementary school students:

  • They’ll attend school five days a week, for 2.5 hours with no lunch or recess.
  • Some will go in mornings, some in afternoons, and siblings will be on the same schedule.
  • They’ll receive math and language lessons during that time.
  • The students will also receive 1.5 hours of virtual learning in a special subject including art, physical education, and music.

For the middle and high school students:

  • Students will be in the buildings for five hours a day on certain days.
  • When not in school, they’ll receive education at home, livestreamed.
  • There will be no lunch, but there will be a snack break.

Regarding precautions and breaks, for everyone:

  • Everyone will wear a mask.
  • Buildings will undergo a “thorough cleaning” each day.
  • No visitors — just faculty, staff and students.
  • Social distancing. (Some educators, like Cranford’s superintendent, have planned for the possibility that distance may be lowered from 6 to 3 feet, but it’s also possible in-person learning could be put on hold.)
  • Time for mask “breaks,” snacks, and handwashing.

Daily screenings:

  • District is still developing how to conduct daily screenings for symptoms
  • Contract tracing also in development

Superintendent Christine Burton said a finalized plan will be communicated at the Aug. 10 special board meeting, and at an Aug. 24 Town Hall. The plans were posted in the district’s handouts folder.

Related Millburn school and coronavirus updates:

  • Millburn schools reopen on Sept. 3. Download the calendar here.
  • Individuals interested in running for the Millburn Township Board of Education must declare their candidacy by 4 p.m. on Monday, July 27. The general election will be held Nov. 3. Candidates must file a nominating petition with the Essex County Clerk with at least 10 signatures, one of which must be the candidate’s.
  • Here are recent coronavirus updates, statistics, and where to get tested in Millburn.

Got news? Email caren.lissner@patch.com. To be the first to get news alerts with breaking stories in Millburn, or to get a free local newsletter each morning, sign up for Patch breaking news alerts or daily newsletters.