Coronavirus New Jersey: Gov. Phil Murphy Closes Schools For In-Person Classes For Remainder Of Academic Year
TRENTON, N.J. (CBS) -- Gov. Phil Murphy announced Monday that all New Jersey schools will remain closed for the remainder of the academic year. The schools will continue teaching the Garden State's 1.4 million students from home.
Murphy waited longer than many other governors in our region but ultimately, he decided it's just not safe and not worth the risk to send children back to school.
"The behavior that you all showed this weekend is going to give us more degrees of freedom," Murphy said.
Murphy praised the citizens of the Garden State for largely adhering to social distancing standards this past weekend, as many parks opened up for the first time since the coronavirus crisis began.
The latest numbers from New Jersey hospitals show the virus curve dropping in the north and central parts of the state, while flattening out in South Jersey.
Yet despite the positive trend, Murphy says it's still too dangerous to reopen schools and announced they will remain closed for the remainder of the school year.
"We reached this conclusion, based on the guidance of our public health experts, and with a single goal in mind -- the safety and wellbeing of our children and of our educators, administrators and staff," Murphy said.
The state's teachers' union, which advocated for keeping schools shut, praised the governor's decision in a statement.
"While we are saddened to know that we won't have the opportunity to see our students in our school buildings again this year, nothing is more important than the health and safety of everyone in our public schools," the New Jersey Education Association said.
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"It's disappointing missing out on senior trip," Washington Township High School senior Maggie Fitzgerald said.
Fitzgerald and her classmates are trying to make the best of their time at home but she admits it's tough being apart from friends during her last year of school.
"Of course it's heartbreaking for a lot of the seniors, including myself. But I agree, I support the governor's decision because at the end of the day it's what promotes safety in our community and that's the most important thing," Fitzgerald said.
Many schools have prom and graduation contingency plans that extend as far as August to try and reschedule the big events. Spring sports, on the other hand, are canceled and will not be made up.
