Princeton Strong news – Princeton, NJ: Princeton Board of Education
Dr. Barry Galasso Interim Superintendent reports 10.24.2020.

Since my last message to you, we have learned that two additional staff members at Princeton High School have tested positive for the coronavirus. We now have three confirmed cases: two staff members and one student. None of these cases originated at PHS or were transmitted at PHS. Two of the cases originated from out-of-school sports programs. Our thoughts are with those three individuals who tested positive.

Based on the number of teachers who now must participate in precautionary 14-day quarantines or require remote teaching assignments, all students at Princeton High School will learn remotely until Monday, November 9. We will begin in-person learning with Cohort A on that date. On Monday, October 26, PHS will follow the remote learning schedule and classes will start at 9:25 AM.

When we approved our phased-in return to hybrid learning, the district was aware that there could be instances when it would be necessary to pivot to all-remote learning if the number of teachers required to participate in quarantines increased dramatically, as it has in the last 24 hours.

I have heard from many parents who are happy to have had even a few days of in-person learning for their children and also from parents who are disappointed that their children have not yet been able to return to school. I understand that this is a hardship for all our students, their families, and our staff and that there are mental health and financial implications as well as many serious inconveniences. We are working hard to support staff, students and families while at the same time working to keep our school community healthy.

I urge all parents to be mindful of travel and quarantine restrictions especially during the upcoming school holidays. The district must require all students who are returning from locations (both domestic and international) that are on the travel advisory list to participate in remote learning while they are under quarantine for 14 days after returning to New Jersey. We encourage you to select your travel destinations carefully. 

The pivot to all-remote schooling affects only PHS. The middle school will open for in-person learning on Monday and the four elementary schools will continue with hybrid learning. There are no indications that we need to change course in these schools.