With 30 actives cases in its schools, and 15 within the Morristown High School community, the entire Morris School District will be switching to all-remote learning until Nov. 30, 2020, the district announced on Sunday.
It’s the first time this fall that all 10 schools in the regional district have closed their doors. The move was based on direction from local health departments, the district said in a statement.
“This decision is a result of significant spread of the coronavirus within our local community and the need for impactful action in an effort to slow it down,” the district said.
On Friday, the district had announced a 14-day closure of in-school instruction at the high school, and the home quarantine of a class from the Alexander Hamilton Elementary School.
There are “multiple cases ” of COVID-19 across the district, with dozens more test results pending, according to the district, which serves 5,700 pupils from Morristown, Morris Township and (high school only) Morris Plains.
“Any close contacts or others impacted by possible exposure have been contacted directly with instructions for quarantine,” the district said on Sunday.
“The local health departments believe that closing our district schools for this two-week period may help slow the spread of the virus as cases continue to climb rapidly within our community. We fully intend to reopen our schools on Nov. 30 and hope that by closing now, we will be able to remain open throughout December.”
Students can pick up free breakfasts and lunches at Morristown High School or Frelinghuysen Middle School during the closure on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays:
There will be two service times each day at both locations, from 8:30-9:30 AM and again from 2:30-3:30 PM. Morristown High School service will be located at the rear circle by the flagpole off of Atno Avenue. Frelinghuysen service will be in the front of the building. Each meal distribution will contain multiple meals to cover breakfast and lunch for the interim days.
Below is the full statement.
From the Morris School District:
ALL MSD SCHOOLS WILL BE CLOSED TO IN-PERSON INSTRUCTION UNTIL NOVEMBER 30
- Based on the direction of our local health departments, the Morris School District will be closed to in-person instruction until November 30. All students will access their instruction virtually during the closure. This decision is a result of significant spread of the coronavirus within our local community and the need for impactful action in an effort to slow it down.
- Currently, we have multiple cases at each of our K-12 schools, including 15 within the Morristown High School community. Any close contacts or others impacted by possible exposure have been contacted directly with instructions for quarantine. We have a total of over 30 active cases districtwide, most of which have come to our attention in the last several days, with dozens more test results pending. The local health departments believe that closing our district schools for this two-week period may help slow the spread of the virus as cases continue to climb rapidly within our community. We fully intend to reopen our schools on November 30 and hope that by closing now, we will be able to remain open throughout December.
- Meals During Closure. Students can pick up free breakfast and lunch at either Morristown High School or Frelinghuysen Middle School during the closure on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. There will be two service times each day at both locations, from 8:30-9:30 AM and again from 2:30-3:30 PM. Morristown High School service will be located at the rear circle by the flagpole off of Atno Avenue. Frelinghuysen service will be in the front of the building. Each meal distribution will contain multiple meals to cover breakfast and lunch for the interim days.
- This situation is fluid, and we will share more information within the coming days as it becomes available. Please watch for a forthcoming communication from your child’s principal regarding virtual instruction.
