Brigantine Schools the Latest to Announce Remote Learning

School-aged children in Brigantine will not be hopping aboard school buses next month as yet another district has announced they will begin the year virtually.

In an e-mail sent to parents of children in Brigantine schools Thursday evening, it was announced that they, "...will be starting the school year fully remote on September 8th."

In the statement, Glenn Robbins, Superintendent of Schools, said,

Today, two crucial pieces of information came to our attention, which is why we will be starting the school year fully remote on September 8th. We will continue to evaluate and plan for a re-entry date on/or before November 11, 2020, the end of our first marking period for the 2020-2021 school year.

First, in accordance with the requirements of the Department of Education, we are unable to fully staff the physical building to protect the health and safety of all students and staff. The second crucial piece of information in regards to changes came to us in discussion with the Atlantic County Department of Health. It was stated that for the safety of all students and staff, they must be at least 6 feet apart or more at all times, and that barriers and/or masks cannot be used as substitutes. This includes prior to boarding the school bus at the bus stop, while on the bus, and in the school building at all times. These ever-evolving changes along with inconsistent guidance from Trenton have placed us in a situation that we had hoped we would not have to face.

As a parent and school leader, I am disappointed that we are unable to open in person on September 8th, but I am confident that our remote plan of everyday virtual learning with direct instruction will be a leading institution for others to model from.

Officials say they will continue to evaluate and plan for a re-entry date on or before November 11th, which is the end of the first marking period.