Bridgewater-Raritan Middle School Switches To Virtual For 2 Weeks

Alexis Tarrazi
·2 min read

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — All students at Bridgewater-Raritan Middle School will be switching to virtual learning for the next two weeks after two positive coronavirus cases were reported, school officials said.

"After working with the local health department officials to analyze the facts and circumstances of these cases, we have decided to move all students at Bridgewater-Raritan Middle School to all remote instruction immediately, resuming in-person instruction on Thursday, Dec. 10," said Dr. Thomas Ficarra, interim superintendent of schools in a letter to the community Saturday.

In addition, all athletic and extracurricular activities are canceled for the same duration.

Ficarra cited the New Jersey Department of Health Guidance which states that a school building should be closed for 14 days when two or more cases are identified within a 14-day period that occurs across multiple classrooms and a clear connection between the cases cannot be easily identified.

These most recent cases meet this criterion, Ficarra said.

Bridgewater-Raritan High School building also remains closed until Wednesday. It had previously switched to virtual after two positive coronavirus cases were also reported at the school on Nov. 17. Read More: Bridgewater-Raritan High School Switches To Virtual For 2 Weeks

The high school still plans to reopen for in-person, hybrid learning on Dec. 3. All other district schools will remain open as normal.

Here is the latest breakdown of the number of cases listed by school since all schools reopened for in-person learning on Oct. 12:

  • Adamsville - 3

  • Bradley Gardens - 1

  • Hamilton - 1

  • Kennedy - 2

  • Milltown - 2

  • Hillside - 3

  • Eisenhower - 8

  • Middle School - 9

  • High School - 39

  • District Support Staff - 8

Ficarra is encouraging parents, students, and staff to continue following the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) promoted safeguards, such as:

  • Staying home when you are sick;

  • Washing hands often with soap for at least 20 seconds;

  • Covering coughs and sneezes and properly disposing of tissues;

  • Limiting close contact with people who are sick and not sharing food, drinks and utensils;

  • Practicing social distancing (staying at least 6 feet apart);

  • Wearing a face covering while in school; and

  • Continuing to monitor your health for symptoms.

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.
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This article originally appeared on the Bridgewater Patch