Parents in N.J. school district to rally for more in-person class time – NJ.com

Parents in Verona are calling for more in-person learning this spring and a full return to school this fall amid the coronavirus pandemic, but say there is no clear plan yet from the district to do so.

Students in Verona’s four elementary schools, middle school and high school are on a hybrid schedule. But as COVID-19 cases have shown a decrease from last month, parents say they should be given more in-person class time.

They’re now planning to rally for more in-person class time on Friday at 4 p.m. in front of town hall.

“It’s not really about the adults, it’s about the children,” said Kristen Donohue, who has children in 5th, 7th and 8th grades. “…For mental and emotional health — and also just academically — my children have said that it’s harder to get up in the morning and get out, but they learn better when they’re in school.”

Verona Superintendent Rui Dionisio said conversations are already taking place to devise a plan for the remainder of the school year, but the district has yet to receive guidance from the state for September 2021.

He explained that 85% of parents have requested in-person learning for elementary students, which makes it difficult to have all students back every day while adhering to CDC and state guidelines that require six-feet of social distance. Right now, elementary students are on an AA-BB cohort, with one asynchronous learning day a week.

High schoolers have a two-day cohort model, where four-periods are conducted in-person and then another two are conducted virtually. The middle school follows a similar model and is currently on a three-day cohort, while special education students come to school five days a week, Dionisio said.

Most cohort groups meet in-person for a half-day and continue doing virtual work in the afternoon, parents said.

“The limitations of six feet of physical distancing creates significant limitations in our small, neighborhood schools,” Dionisio said. “….The number of cohorts are driven by the six feet physical distance guidelines and the percentage of students opting for in-person learning.”

Administrators and parents sit on reopening advisory committees to discuss options for students’ and teachers’ return. But some on the committee want a plan that’s ready to go for spring classes as cases trend downwards and teachers will soon be able to get vaccinations.

The state still labels Essex County as having a high rate of COVID-19 activity, while other regions have been downgraded to moderate levels.

But so far, only conversations have been taking place about the spring, the superintendent and Donohue said.

Donohue, who sits on the middle school reopening committee, said the schools can — and should — become more creative about bringing kids back.

She said gyms could be used as classrooms and parents have offered to purchase tents for outdoor learning. She said some districts are going by WHO guidelines instead of CDC guidelines, which recommend at least three feet of social distance but more when indoors.

“A lot of these ideas that we put forth are often met with ‘no’ right out of the gate,” said Donohue.

The superintendent sent out a weekly community update on Thursday that said the district is exploring a unique option that could at least get all elementary school children back to class all day. Each of the four district elementary schools could hold about one grade level for K-4 students, providing enough space to socially distance and bring back younger students for full days of class.

Another option being explored for all grade levels would be centered on having students learning in-person all day for each cohort. Students would go home for lunch and then return for additional class periods.

Parents of elementary students were asked to complete a survey by March 10 about school restructuring and questions or comments or possible solutions could be submitted online.

“I want all students to safely return to a full day, every day, in-person school by September of 2021,” Dionisio wrote to parents.

Local journalism needs your support. Subscribe at nj.com/supporter.

Rebecca Panico may be reached at rpanico@njadvancemedia.com.