In response to the Governor’s announcement today that schools will have the option for an all-remote start to the upcoming year, Assembly Education Committee Chair Pamela Lampitt (D-Burlington, Camden) issued the following statement:
“Protecting the health and safety of our students and school staff should be our number one priority and the Governor’s decision to permit school districts to transition to a fully remote start in September is a step in the right direction. School districts need clear and consistent guidance from the state on the health and safety standards that must be met in order to safely resume in-person instruction, and it is critical that this guidance is provided promptly to districts with the start of the school year just weeks away.
“By delaying the reopening of schools for in-person learning, we can afford school districts with additional time to make the preparations needed to ensure the safety of our children and focus on the remaining challenges still before us. As we prepare for a coming school year that will rely heavily of virtual and remote instruction, we must commit our attention and resources to solving new challenges facing our students and educators. We must work to close the digital divide by increasing access to technology and internet connectivity so all students can successfully learn from home, we must find solutions to provide support to working parents who will need childcare under remote and hybrid plans. We must ensure all students maintain access to school meals, and we must provide teachers with the support and training needed to maintain New Jersey’s high learning standards through remote instruction.
“The challenges before us will demand collaboration, creativity and partnership, but by working together we can ensure that all students receive the education they deserve while prioritizing public health.”