Remote Learning Gets An 'F' From Some Parsippany Teachers

PARSIPPANY, NJ—The school year is only in its second abbreviated week, but Parsippany's teachers union surveyed instructors, and the results were discouraging.

"Managing A/B cohorts is already proving to be very difficult," one Lake Parsippany Elementary teacher reported, "going an entire week without actually seeing students in the classroom, especially at the elementary level, is already showing issues."

The survey was done at all 14 of the township's public schools. The teacher feedback touched on safety, technology, PPE, and substitute quality, among other issues. It comes less than two weeks after the union declared a vote of no confidence in superintendent Barbara Sargent.

"It's a mess at CMS," said a Central Middle School teacher, "very little guidance from the administration."

Teachers at multiple schools complained of ventilation issues, and some said cleaning was not being maintained to proper standards.

"We have documented many ventilation issues throughout the building," the same CMS teacher wrote, "Also, there are concerns over cleaning desks, sanitation supplies, and student distancing in the halls."

The safety concerns are also compounded in some cases by language barriers, potentially causing students with symptoms to come to school.

"ESL is suffering greatly," said one high school teacher, "COVID screening questions only in English, parents answering incorrectly of submitting the night before because they leave for work before children are awake, students being sent home in the middle of the day as a result."

However, the district said it has received its own feedback, which has been positive.

"The first week of hybrid learning, while challenging, has not been a failure," said district spokeswoman Joan Benos. "The feedback that the Board and administration have received from individual teachers, parents and most importantly our students has been positive."

Sargent outlined changes to the Parsippany's return-to-school plan on Aug. 20, announcing that in-person instruction will be half-days at least until Oct. 2. The district's original plan, presented earlier this summer, would have provided full-day classes when students attended in person.

"This half-day schedule eliminates student lunch and related concerns," said Sargent, on Aug. 20, "it allows our teachers to engage with remote learners in the afternoon, and to prepare instruction."

But many teachers say the allotted time isn't enough, and that the administration is not being realistic.

"Definitely not enough PD time to plan for this monstrosity of a task," said another high school teacher, "understatement of the year. Any 'success' we have had has been 100% in spite of administration's lack of support/guidance."

The feedback was not completely negative, however. One teacher expressed thanks for the way school is being handled.

"It was so much better today being from home," said an Intervale School teacher, "The virus fear wasn't on the top of my mind so I could actually focus."

The teacher concerns were shared by the union with the Parsippany Board of Education. But the district insisted the start of the year has been a success, and blamed a small number of people for the poor feedback.

"It is unfortunate that a few individuals continue to attempt and throw up roadblocks," Benos said, "however, this will not deter the District from completing its mission to provide an excellent education and stability to our students."