LAKEHURST – School District Superintendent Loren Fuhring discussed with members of the Board of Education and residents that students have been moved back to a full remote learning model with the recent closure of the school building.
During a Zoom meeting of the Board of Education, Fuhring explained that the decision to go full remote was made for reasons of safety.
“We have determined as of today (December 9) we will go full remote learning through January 18. The school is closed that day (January 18 due to Dr. Martin Luther King Day) and students will return on January 19,” she said.
“We have no cases reported from the school at this time or due to the school. However we have a number of families, staff on quarantine due to outside exposure, again not from our school. Unfortunately, at this time we feel with those numbers that it is best to educate all of our students utilizing a remote-only instruction so we will be resubmitting our restart and recovery plans to the state going back to full remote effecting 21 days of instruction,” Fuhring said.
She added that the school district is continuing to work with the state on its technology plans and that “we have submitted a request for reimbursement to the state for CARES Act money that was provided to us to purchase technology and equipment needed. All of the great things we have purchased through those funds – including a couple hundred Chromebooks for students – teacher laptops, cleaning supplies, thermometers – all the things that are required under the new guidelines for education.”
Fuhring noted that the district would be receiving its first reimbursement of that this month and “will be looking to spend the rest of that money. We had meetings about what else is necessary to purchase.”
She added that the school district would be sending in its self-assessment regarding its anti-bullying program. “Every year we sustain high marks in that because of the curriculums that we use for social emotional learning and all the morning meetings, everything the teachers do within the classrooms to address that. It is also embedded in each of the curriculums.”
Board President James Malden said during the time frame that the kids did go to school “You guys did an outstanding job. Everyone did what they were supposed to do. I don’t think too many schools did what we did. Our janitorial people did an outstanding job cleaning every night. Not too many schools went full time without being remote.”
“It is very sad to say that we have to go remote but unfortunately it is the best thing for our families at this time,” Fuhring added.
District school teacher Janet Stage made reference to the school going full remote saying, “I am sad to hear we are doing that. It was an absolute team effort keeping the kids safe.”
“It is consuming to make sure that the kids are safe all day long. My class has a lot of in-person students and it has gone really well but it is mentally and time consuming to just reassure that every single safety precaution is constantly being followed to keep those kids safe,” Stage added.
“I think it is the right move by the Board to close us for a while. I am sad to hear it but to really be able to focus on the kids’ instruction and not have to be so consumed with that worry that COVID just gives us right now I think it really is a good move,” she said.
“I’m sure it is the best for everybody for now. Things are definitely going to change daily,” the Board member Malden said.
“Hopefully everyone stays diligent,” Board member David Burton added.
Fuhring said deliveries of items that students need for full remote learning had begun. Some materials were dropped off to students. “We are working on packing up the rest of the materials that students need especially once they hear that we are full remote for a month.”
“We will do whatever is necessary to get students whatever they need, whether it be Hotspots, Chrome books, text books – any materials that need to go home,” Fuhring said.
Board member Amy Lowe asked if all the students have Chromebooks. Fuhring said “currently all of our enrolled students except for pre-K which is not 100 percent internet based; everyone through K-8 should have their Chromebook. We did send them home yesterday because the remote learning started today.”
