Summit Schools: 'We Ask That Families Return To NJ By Jan. 3'

SUMMIT, NJ — Summit Superintendent of Schools Scott Hough said in a letter this week that following the December holidays, the district will implement remote instruction, from Jan. 4 through Jan. 15. He is also asking district families to return to New Jersey by Jan. 3.

The New Jersey governor has advised people traveling to 46 states outside of New Jersey to quarantine for 14 days upon their return.

"This 14-day [remote] period will create space between holiday celebrations and the return to in-person instruction, and will mitigate potential spread of COVID-19," Hough wrote. "In order for this plan to be effective, we ask that families who travel over the winter break return to New Jersey by Jan. 3 at the latest. After Jan. 3, please limit your social gatherings to ensure we return to school in the safest manner possible."

He wrote, "The holiday season can be a busy and stressful time for all of us, and the circumstances of this year will likely add an additional layer of stress. The desire to spend time with family and friends may be tempered by the pandemic and the need to follow health and safety protocols ... our top two priorities for reopening schools and staying open include the health and safety of our students and staff, and the social-emotional well-being of our school community."

Gov. Phil Murphy has asked New Jersey residents to keep holiday gatherings small to prevent the spread of coronavirus, amid a second wave and a record number of new cases.

Over the weekend, the state of New Jersey said it had confirmed the highest number of new cases since in April. On Sunday, the State of New Jersey reported 18 new fatalities since the day before, and a record high of 4,540 new cases, following 4,395 positive cases on Saturday. Before that, the highest one-day total was 4,391 on April 17.

Doctors have said that a number of factors are contributing to the drop in the death rate since spring, including people getting test results (and thus treatment) sooner, more protective equipment available in hospitals, and doctors becoming better able to treat the virus. However, the virus still can have long-term effects.

Hough noted, of the remote instruction, "Please keep in mind that this is not an extended break. Remote instruction from January 4-15 will continue to be rigorous and held to the high standards our students and community expect and deserve."

He said the decision was made in collaboration with the Board of Education and administration, the Summit Educational Association, and the PTO President’s Council.

Hough said the remote instruction is the "district’s effort to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus by providing staff and families the opportunity to quarantine, if necessary, without interrupting instruction. Our intent is to ease the minds of our staff members and Summit families who are trying to balance seeing loved ones during the holidays and keeping the school community healthy and safe. In order for this to be successful, your cooperation is necessary."

The post-holiday remote plans aren't unique. In Hoboken, the district will go all-remote for five days after Thanksgiving weekend. And the Woodbridge school district, the eighth largest in the state, announced this week that it will go remote until Jan. 19.

Summit statistics and schools

Several Summit schools have reported students or staff with the virus, and last week the high school went remote for 14 days. Read more here.

As of Wednesday evening, the total number of confirmed cases of Summit residents since March was 373. There are 55 confirmed cases so far in November.

There have been 18 fatalities of Summit residents from the virus, the last in October, a 102-year-old woman.

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