Cranford Schools Return To In-Person Learning, COVID Updates

CRANFORD, NJ — Cranford Schools will transition back to full-day, in-person learning beginning on Monday, Jan. 10.

Superintendent Scott Rubin announced that all Cranford students would return to in-person classes on Monday after a week of virtual learning. Rubin also included a number of COVID-related updates in his announcement.

"Although we will certainly do our best to keep them to a minimum, we all need to be prepared for potential disruptions," Rubin said.

Prior to winter break, Rubin said the region turned "red", which signaled a very high transmission rate of COVID-19 — according to the NJDOH COVID Activity Level Index report.

In response, the district has arranged for testing for all students whose parents or guardians would like to have their children tested. PCR spit testing will be provided by Mirimus, and parents/guardians must complete this consent form prior to arrival in order for their children to be tested.

Rubin said the district is working on expanding this program so it takes place weekly.

Testing is also now required for students participating in athletics and extracurricular activities. All activities can resume, but in accordance with the Township Health Department and the NJDOH the District needs to implement more testing due to its "red" status.

There will be testing twice a week for any extracurricular activity that cannot mirror the standard protocols that are implemented in the classroom — specifically athletics. All athletes must now test for COVID-19 twice per week.

Testing will occur on Mondays and Thursdays at Cranford High School from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Rubin said the Township Health Officer would not support the continuation of the athletic program without these new testing protocols.

Testing will again be provided by Mirimus and parents/guardians need to fill out the consent form. The Athletic Department and coaches will also be providing additional information.

The district has created a COVID-19 Dashboard on their website that will track to report the number of cases each week.

Rubin said students — from grades 3 through 12 — who are quarantined will shift from the home instruction model to a "live streaming" model.This new model will be in place for the month of January and then the District will reassess moving forward.

This allows students who are quarantining to listen in on the class, but it does not allow tw-way communication. Grades Pre-K through 2 will continue with home instruction when a student is quarantined, unless they have to switch to a livestream due to capacity limitations.

Visit the district's website to see Rubin's full announcement.

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