BARNEGAT, NJ – Students in the Barnegat School District could return to an abbreviated version of five days of in-person instruction next month. Those who prefer a remote learning environment will have the option to continue or move to the alternative model.
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian Latwis confirmed he is waiting for board approval to bring students back to the classroom on a more regular basis. The plan calls for the transition to go into effect at the beginning of the second marking period on November 16th.
“Our goal is to return to the classroom in a safe and healthy manner,” shared Latwis. “We believe this will provide more consistency for our students.”
Students will have four and a half hours of concentrated instruction – with an emphasis on literacy and mathematical skills. Virtual learners will participate in synchronous instruction, which means they will view lessons live as the teacher instructs the rest of the class in-person.
Prior to restrictions associated with COVID-19, Barnegat school days were six hours in length. One hour of the day was devoted to a combination of lunch and recess.
According to Latwis, student lunches signifies one of the major roadblocks in returning the children back to the classroom. The removal of masks to eat lunch represents a greater risk with a larger number of students and the inability to socially distance.
Barnegat Schools began the school year giving students the option of a hybrid model or full remote learning. The result was a decrease in classroom size that allowed students to space themselves. The cafeteria is not a dining option as it places too many people in one room.
Latwis says the district plans to set up clear plastic around the desks in the classroom. The desk shields will not be made of plexiglass but will serve as a precaution in addition to other safety protocol.
“We desperately want the kids back in school,” Latwis said. “From what we have seen, the staff and parents overwhelmingly want them back. A survey sent home to parents showed that 3 out of 4 parents chose for their children to return to five days of in-person instruction.”
"The children want it most of all,” continued Latwis.
Students will be able to grab their lunches to bring home with them. The district is also working to negotiate only a slight increase for extra hours of aftercare.
The Barnegat Superintendent delivered several accolades in working towards a goal of returning to full time traditional instruction. One critical factor involved the nominal disruptions associated with confirmed coronavirus cases in the district.
“We only had a combination of four positive cases between staff and students,” shared Latwis. “We were lucky that they were also in three separate buildings.”
Latwis expressed his gratitude to everyone in the district family and added one other person he referred to as an “unsung hero.”
“Ocean County Executive Superintendent Kevin Ahearn has provided us with unbelievable insight,” Latwis said. “He has offered us a great deal of direction.”
The proposed plan for the second marking period is on next week’s Board of Education meeting agenda.
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Barnegat District Targets Nov. 16 for Five Day, In-Person School - TAPinto.net
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