(Camden, NJ) – Schools statewide will continue to conduct class by remote learning only until at least May 15, Governor Phil Murphy announced yesterday, April 17. Classes will continue to be conducted online or via take-home assignments until further directive.
“Parents, teachers, and students would love to be back in the classroom if it were safe to return to their facilities, but the foremost concern has to be the safety of our students and families during this unprecedented public health crisis,” said Freeholder Carmen Rodriguez. “The governor has left open the possibility that schools could resume in-person learning for a short period before the conclusion of the school year, however the state is prepared to take whatever steps necessary to protect the health and welfare of our residents. We also want to send a special thank you to the teachers and instructors who are continuing to find innovative ways to interact with and educate children at this time.”
All public, private, and parochial preschool programs, and elementary and secondary schools, including charter and renaissance schools, were first ordered closed beginning on March 18, as part of Governor Murphy’s Executive Order No. 104, which implemented aggressive social distancing measures across the state. More information regarding this order can be found here.
On April 7, Governor Murphy also signed Executive Order No. 117 which waived all 2019-2020 statutory school year assessment requirements for eighth grade and 12th grade students who have not yet met the graduation assessment requirements due to the coronavirus pandemic. More information regarding this order can be found here.