Modified Schedule For Gloucester Twp. Schools For Weather, COVID

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — Inclement weather in the forecast and a spike in COVID-19 cases has led to a change in the Gloucester Township K-8 Public School schedule, the district announced Thursday evening.

Due to the forecasted inclement weather, all Gloucester Township Public Schools will be closed Friday, the district announced.

All next week, from Jan. 10-14, the Gloucester Township Public School District will operate on an early dismissal schedule to a high number of absences this week related to the coronavirus pandemic, according to Superintendent of Schools John Bilodeau.

"The early dismissal schedule provides the school administration the opportunity to manage their building resources more effectively and improve in person instructional opportunities for our students," Bilodeau said.

Click here for the early dismissal schedule.

"The ramifications of the COVID pandemic remain fluid and continue to adversely affect school

operations," Bilodeau said. "Please note that I will continue to update all parents, guardians, and staff in regard to the district’s future operating schedule."

The announcement of the closure was made shortly after Gov. Phil Murphy issued a State of Emergency for New Jersey, which takes effect at 10 p.m. Thursday night. Read more here: NJ Declares State Of Emergency; Up To 6 Inches Of Snow Projected

Camden County is under a Code Blue Weather Advisory, and county officials said they are preparing to plow roads should the forecast come to pass. Read more here: Code Blue In Effect As Camden County Braces For Winter Storm

The announcement of next week's schedule comes amid a spike in the number of new COVID-19 cases. On Thursday, there were 1,210 new cases reported countywide, including 120 in Gloucester Township. Since the pandemic began, there have been 80,906 cases and 1,408 deaths countywide.