Parents Sound Off About Westfield Reopening Rollout
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Published Every Thursday Since September 3, 1890 (908) 232-4407 USPS 680020 Thursday, March 4, 2021 OUR 131ST YEAR – ISSUE NO. 09-2021 Periodical – Postage Paid at Rahway, N.J. www.goleader.com [email protected] ONE DOLLAR Parents Sound Off About Westfield Reopening Rollout By JENNIFER GLACKIN tend a reduced schedule, approximately the middle-school population joining Specially Written for The Westfield Leader two hours per day, which will continue them on Monday, April 12. WESTFIELD — More than 300 in the new five days per week schedule. The high school will remain four people attended Tuesday’s virtual board Parents asked if the hours can be ex- days in-person learning with all-remote of education meeting, where Superin- tended to the usual two and half hours Wednesdays through Monday, April tendent Margaret Dolan, Ed.D., an- per day. Bringing students in the build- 19, according to Superintendent Dolan’s nounced more in-person schooling for ing for five half days safely has been timeline. High-school parents will be all Westfield elementary- and middle- logistically challenging, said Dr. Dolan, surveyed regarding their choice of in- school students. referring to all of the programs in each person or remote learning for the fourth Kindergarten through second-grade school. After a safe return, however, the marking period. Any decisions for the students were previously announced to superintendent said that the district will high school will be made after a review return to in-person learning for five half “certainly consider it.” of the survey data. days on Monday, March 15. Third- Middle-school students will begin Dr. Dolan also reported the ongoing through fifth-grade students will return alternating Wednesdays starting March steps the district is taking to continue to the same in-person model the follow- 10. Middle-school special-education progressing, such as working with the ing Monday, March 22. students will return to five in-person department of health to facilitate vacci- Kindergarten students currently at- half days on March 15, with the rest of nations for teachers. She said she is hopeful the district and the department of health will be able to provide vacci- Pandemic Causes Dip nations in school to those teachers who want it. The district also will continue to In Public School Enrollment monitor guidance for in-school lunch, which at this time is still considered By REBECCA MEHORTER Margaret Dolan, Ed.D., Westfield Pub- Specially Written for The Westfield Leader “high-risk” by the health department, lic Schools Superintendent, said. “I do she said. Also, using outdoor spaces for AREA — Both Westfield Public not minimize the challenges of students classes, and possibly lunch, is being Susan M. Dougherty for The Westfield Leader Schools and Scotch Plains-Fanwood on computer screens for hours, of par- looked into. Public Schools have seen a dip in en- ents juggling the needs of their children WISHFUL THINKING...This frosty guy has an optimistic message, which is understandable with the recent temperatures Parents can support these efforts that soared to the 50s. Check him out on the 800 block of Summit Avenue in Westfield before he’s just a puddle. rollment numbers for the 2020-2021 with employment and other responsi- through their parent teacher organiza- school year. Westfield lost 273 stu- bilities, and of staff members going tions (PTOS) by helping with dents, bringing total enrollment num- above and beyond even as they struggle fundraising or providing needed re- bers under 6,000 for the first time in at with their own personal responsibili- sources for their particular school. WF Health Bd. Fields Questions least 11 years. Scotch Plains-Fanwood ties.” Advocating for change at the state lost approximately 163 students after While public and private schools are level and applying to become district maintaining a relatively steady number required to follow the same guidelines, substitutes are two other ways parents About School Reopening of students for the past nine years. as Regional Health Director Megan can help. Those wishing to help by Since the pandemic began nearly a Avallone explained to parents at becoming substitute teachers, secretar- year ago, schools have faced a number Monday’s board of health meeting, pri- ies, paraprofessionals or custodians can By REBECCA MEHORTER at a critical level of cases. to spread Covid.” of roadblocks in regaining any sense of vate schools have the advantages, gen- check the Human Resources tab on the Specially Written for The Westfield Leader “While the cases are less, they are When a resident asked why indoor normalcy. Students in both municipali- erally, of fewer students, more acces- district website. WESTFIELD — Regional Health certainly still coming in every single dining was allowed then, she said, “Just ties are not in school for full days, with sible funds and more flexible leader- Superintendent Dolan also presented Director Megan Avallone and Board day,” Ms. Avallone said. “What we’re because something is allowed, doesn’t most still on a hybrid of in-person and ship structures. Westfield’s monthly Covid totals from President Dr. Larry Budnick fielded kind of seeing, anecdotally, is that, while necessarily mean it’s completely safe,” virtual-learning models. Gerard Gonella, director of admis- September 2020 through February of numerous questions from parents about the cases are less, it certainly feels like she said. “Indoor dining, we’ve known “As I’ve said previously, there is no sion and financial aid at The 2021, noting that of the 490 Covid- Covid-19 transmission and schools re- individuals are more places than ever for a while — there is a risk.” doubt that this year has been difficult – Wardlaw+Hartridge School, said he is positive individuals in January, 24 per- opening at Monday night’s Westfield before.” Students are allowed to sit at desks at times, seemingly impossible – for seeing increased interest in mid-year cent of those were in the school com- Board of Health meeting. She said specifically that her depart- less than six feet apart with barriers like everyone, especially for students who transfers. munity. She also reminded residents of Ms. Avallone first gave a general ment is seeing school-aged children on Plexiglass in place, but state guidance are younger or have specific needs,” CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 the Covid-19 Hub on the district’s update on Covid-19, saying February sports teams having “many, many con- is clear that, at this time, eating is not website where people can find all of the had been a much better month for the tacts” due to participating in multiple okay unless students are six feet apart, guidelines and reopening plans, super- region, with cases down quite a bit from spring sports and having “active social Ms. Avallone said in response to an- Town Planner Gives Update intendent communications, board meet- the startling January numbers when lives.” She said the department is see- other question. ing synopses, and the videos of board Covid-19 cases reached extreme lev- ing a similar trend in young adults as Multiple attendees asked what the On Affordable Housing meetings to address some of the fre- els. However, according to “circles are starting to widen.” consequences would be if Westfield CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 covidactnow.org, Union County is still Ms. Avallone and the board spoke at School Superintendent Margaret Dolan, By REBECCA MEHORTER ing a realistic opportunity for the devel- length about the guidance of the health Ed.D., ignored the safety guidelines Specially Written for The Westfield Leader opment of affordable housing in department on schools reopening. Ms. and fully opened schools while allow- WESTFIELD — Town Planner Don Westfield,” Mr. Sammet said. RVL Comes One Step Closer Avallone stressed that the department ing students to eat lunches less than six Sammet gave an update on Westfield’s Because the plan is satisfactory, the provides guidance reflective of the feet apart. Ms. Avallone said the health affordable-housing compliance at the town is protected from builders’ lawsuits state’s guidance to each municipality it department only provides guidance and February 23 town council meeting. until July 2025. Builders can sue if the to a One-Seat Ride serves. As a state-licensed public health does not have a role in meting out As the town’s municipal housing liai- town has not provided an opportunity for official, Ms. Avallone is required to consequences or penalties. But, she son, Mr. Sammet is required to update affordable housing, he said. These law- By MARTA ESQUÍROZ ing them eligible for federal fund- follow state guidance. No guidance is said, “Dr. Dolan takes the safety of the residents on the status of implementation suits shift the control of the municipality’s Specially written for The Westfield Leader ing,” Ms. Obaray said. created by the Westfield Regional school community very seriously, and of Westfield’s affordable-housing plans landscape from the town to the courts, he TRENTON — The Raritan Valley The 100-year-old tunnel has been Health Department. the guidance shows that it is not safe to every February by the settlement agree- said. “By entering into a Settlement Agree- Line Mayor’s Alliance (RVL May- the connection between the Raritan She said that each board of education eat closer than six feet apart.” ment with the Fair Share Housing Center. ors) applauded the decision from the Valley Line’s towns and New York Fair Share is a nonprofit organization that ment, Westfield gains both finality and adopts policies based on that guidance “I know that it’s been very hard for “prohibits economic discrimination certainty in terms of meeting its afford- Biden Administration of reversing a City. The RVL transports 200,000 and based on its own individual needs, people to understand what the relation- through exclusionary zoning and requires able housing obligation; and effectively policy of former President Donald passengers with approximately 450 like staffing needs, student population ship is between the department of health all towns to provide their ‘fair share’ of eliminates any future costs associated Trump’s that did not allow New York train runs each day.