n response to the announcement today from Governor Murphy, the Metuchen Public Schools will be closed until further notice. As you know, we proactively closed for this week out an abundance of caution. And now, we will be closed at least until March 30th, and possibly longer. We will be in touch with updates should anything change. Teaching and grading will be different, but remote learning began today and will continue until schools are open again. Free and reduced lunch deliveries also began today. Everyone in the district is here to support students and their families. Contact your teachers, principals, or any of us with your questions or concerns. Your physical and mental health are our top priorities. Stay well and stay in touch. All the best from Dr. Caputo.
The Metuchen Public Schools will be closed next week, March 16 to March 20. All activities are also cancelled. After consultation with the mayor and the board president we have decided to do our part to flatten the curve. We don’t take this decision lightly and we know there will be disruptions to normal routines. Remote learning will begin on Monday. Our administrators and teachers are prepared. Learning will occur. Teaching and grading will be a little different. We are here for you and we will maintain the district services that you expect. Good luck. Be well. We will stay in touch frequently.
The district is closely following news from the CDC, the NJ Department of Health, and the NJ Department of Education regarding Coronavirus (Covid-19). Our administration, teachers, and support staff are continuously reviewing our plans and communicating when there is any new information to report. The district has created a ‘Coronavirus Update’ Tab on the main page of the website that includes all communication and information that has been disseminated. On March 5, 2020, the Commissioner of Education for the NJ Department of Education Provided Guidance Regarding Requirements for Public Health-Related School Closures. This document explains the importance of planning and preparing prior to having to potentially close school or cancel events. It also provides some information about how they will address the 180-day requirement for school districts in case of a health-related school closure. Each district is required to submit a plan to the County office this week, outlining how teaching and learning will continue via a distance learning model if any mandatory closures are ordered by the NJDOE or NJDOH. If the plan is approved, and our schools are required to close, any days of distance learning would count toward the 180 days. Our administrative team is working with the teachers to prepare a plan for that possibility. We share this information so parents can be informed of the latest updates and guidelines that our schools have received.