As a parent, it's safe to say that I feel for the children, teachers, and staff in a situation like this. Kids want to go to school, have fun with friends, learn, and get out of the house.  Teachers and administrators want to educate, inspire, and assist our children.  Parents want everyone to remain healthy and happy...and maybe a break from at-home learning?  Ultimately, we all want to see things get back to normal.  Unfortunately, 2021 will be starting out in a way very reminiscent of 2020 - - with full remote learning at Berkeley Township Schools.

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One of my children goes to a Berkeley Township School and there was discussion that school would return to normal (no more hybrid) this December.  That hope faded away in November and it has become a common occurrence to receive an automated phone call and an accompanying e-mail (like this) informing me of a probable COVID-19 case.  As positive cases are rising nationally, regionally, and locally - - apparently they are too for the Berkeley Township Schools.

Today's message (found here) was a lot more ominous.  It pointed to a confluence of negative intel that has "brought us to the point where we cannot properly operate our buildings and departments. All of these factors are having an adverse impact on Berkeley Township’s staffing capacity while steadily reducing Hybrid in-person attendance and increasing daily in-person absenteeism."  That's direct from Superintendent of Schools James D. Roselli, Ed.D.  As a result, they are pivoting away from in-person schooling and going all remote from January 4th, 2021 through January 13th, 2021.

The Superintendent adds that "We have not made this decision lightly. The health and safety of our students and staff are our top priorities."

I know this decision was not easy and I applaud the superintendent for thinking about the well being of everyone involved.  As we're 7 days away, my Christmas wish is for COVID-19 to soon disappear and for us all to return to some sense of normalcy.

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