Developments in the current pandemic have forced Gov. Phil Murphy to close all schools in the state for the academic year.
Murphy previously closed schools on an indefinite month-by-month basis starting on March 16 as New Jersey’s COVID-19 continued to rapidly increase.
#BREAKING: ALL SCHOOLS WILL REMAIN CLOSED for in-person instruction for the remainder of the school year – to protect…
Posted by Governor Phil Murphy on Monday, 4 May 2020
Instruction will continue via virtual means as many district’s adopted remote learning plans and vow to meet state and student learning standards.
Additionally, the NJSIAA has strongly advised against resuming the spring sports season, citing testing availability, lack of a vaccine and viable certified treatments.
As of deadline, the state has 128,269 positive cases and 7,910 deaths.
The announcement was concluded by Murphy reminding the state’s senior high school class of 2020 a celebration will be done, but not at the moment.
The state Department of Education will have stakeholder meetings to determine if summer educational programming and other related ones will continue. Another meeting will determine the process of reopening in September.
Gratitude was extended to students, families, teachers and district administrators for their patience through each announcement as Murphy reiterated the decision was made in the best interest of public health.
“To every student: We want you to be safe,” Murphy shared. “We want you to be healthy. We want you to continue your educational journey, wherever it takes you.
“To ensure all of these things, we have to take this step.”
