MILLBURN, NJ — The Millburn schools are among the New Jersey districts to open before Labor Day weekend this year, starting this Thursday, Sept. 1. READ MORE: Millburn School Calendar 2022-23: Key Dates
In advance of the new school year, Superintendent of Schools Christine Burton shared several updates last week about staff, security, and covid protocols.
Burton said that more than 37 new members of the staff will join the district this year, and that they participated in New Staff Orientation last week. “It’s an energetic and enthusiastic group,” she noted. She also shared a review of summer programs for kids and for staff development here.
As several Essex County superintendents have done recently, Burton said that in the wake of the Uvalde school shootings and other such tragedies, local districts are reviewing security measures.
She said she will share more about school security measures at the Sept. 19 school board meeting.
“As we have learned more over the summer about the May events in Uvalde, Texas, I know that school safety and security is top of mind for all of us this year,” Burton said. “Please know it has been a district focus this summer, and will continue to be a top priority this school year … I have been meeting with other local superintendents to we all review common security procedures, including new legislation requiring the implementation of threat assessment teams in all New Jersey Schools beginning in the 2023-24 school year.”
‘Very Limited’ Covid Protocols
Burton echoed the words of other area superintendents about having “very limited protocols related to covid for the new school year,” but said the school will follow the recommendations of the local Department of Heath.
“If someone tests positive for covid, please contact your school nurse who will work through the next steps regarding isolation and when it is safe to return to school. Absences for Covid
will now be handled like any other illness, and school work will be provided (i.e. Google Classroom or homework sent home) as it would be in the case of any other traditional illness or absence from school. We will update our guidelines as further information is provided.”
The guidelines on the website say that masks are optional for 2022-23 except in certain circumstances, like after 5 days of isolation, and in some health offices.
Covid testing in Millburn High School resumes Sept. 7, 14, and 21 at 3:15.
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