Somerset County Education Association School Reopening Demonstration
The Somerset County Education Association (SCEA) will be staging a demonstration against a rushed reopening of NJ school buildings on Thursday, July 30th at 3:00 pm at the intersection of Main Street & Division Street in Somerville. Additional details in SCEA’s Press Release below.
UPDATE: The location of the the SCEA’s event has been changed to the intersection of Main Street and Division Street in Somerville.
Somerset County Education Association Says Reopening School buildings in September is a Bridge Too Far
Who: Members of the Somerset County Education Association, NJ21 United and concerned community members
What: Demonstrating against a rushed reopening of NJ school buildings
When: July 30, 2020 at 3pm
Where: Bridgewater Commons Mall Pedestrian Bridge near Macy’s (location changed to Somerville)
Why: Reopening the school buildings too early will lead to tragedy in school communities across the state
In response to rushed plans to reopen New Jersey public schools in September, members of the Somerset County Education Association (SCEA), in conjunction with NJ21 United, a grassroots education advocacy group, will stage a demonstration on Thursday, July 30, 2020 on the Bridgewater Commons Mall pedestrian bridge (location changed to Somerville). The members of the SCEA will be joined by community members from throughout Somerset County to urge Governor Phil Murphy to start the coming school year virtually.
“Public schools are the hub of every community,” says Dan Epstein, SCEA President. Epstein, an elementary special education teacher in Franklin knows the realities of what has been proposed in terms of county reopening plans. “Reopening before it is safe will be a grave mistake that will cost countless lives. It would reverse all of our collective efforts to control this pandemic over the past few months.”
Throughout New Jersey, educators and advocates alike, have been strongly voicing concerns over rush to return to buildings, many of which have failing infrastructure and no climate control, without proper funding or planning.
Recent polling conducted by Fairleigh Dickinson University found that large majorities of New Jerseyans across all demographics favored keeping coronavirus restrictions in place to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Employing virtual instruction until science and trends show that it is safe to return, must be one of the steps taken to protect, not only students and staff, but New Jersey as a whole.
Educators recognize that virtual instruction is not ideal, but can be refined and are committed to ensuring that students receive the best, and safest, education possible. “We all want nothing more than to have our schools open,” Epstein continues, “but not at the expense of our health, our students, our loved ones, and our communities.”
Concerned members of the community are encouraged to join the SCEA on Thursday, June 30, 2020 at 3 pm. Social distancing and masks are required.
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