Point Boro Superintendent: Elementary School Masks 'Excessive'

POINT PLEASANT BORO – Point Pleasant Boro had to change its schedule because of what the district's top official said was an "excessive" mask order from the state.

Superintendent Vincent S. Smith said the state's order that students must wear masks during the entire school day "has changed our thoughts about the elementary school day."

"We strongly believe that this mandate is excessive and will place an undue burden on the elementary students and teachers to wear their masks all day long," he said in a letter to parents.

Therefore, the schedule for students in grades 1-5 and self-contained special education homerooms at both elementary schools was revised for a half day of learning, consistent with Point Pleasant Boro High School and Memorial Middle School, he said.

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"As we move toward the opening of school in September, the administration has continued to review input and concerns from the entire Point Pleasant School Community from board meetings, emails, phone calls, the "Frequently Asked Question" section on the district website, and in person discussions with parents and staff," Smith said.

Smith said he realizes that, at times, "the flow of information can be frustrating and confusing to you as parents as it is for us as school administrators."

"Several examples of that is the recent announcement that parents have the option of remote learning for their children and the recent decision by Governor Murphy mandating that students wear masks during the entire school day," he said.

Students in grades 1-5 and self-contained special education homerooms at Ocean Road School will dismiss at 12:25 p.m. Students in grades 1-5 at Nellie Bennett School will dismiss at 1:05 p.m.

The A/B Day concept and the Kindergarten and Pre–School class schedules previously announced will remain the same.

"Once again, I thank you for your patience and understanding. As I stated many times, I understand that you all have individual needs and unique circumstances and I wish I could meet all of them but it is impossible to do so," Smith said.