NOTE: The location has been changed to Main Street and Division Street in Somerville (not the Bridgewater Commons mall as originally planned).
Members of the Somerset County Education Association, NJ21 United and concerned community members will demonstrate against a rushed reopening of school buildings in New Jersey at 3 p.m. July 30 at the intersection of Main Street and Division Street in Somerville.
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 July 30 on the Bridgewater Commons Mall pedestrian bridge. The members of the SCEA will be joined by community members from throughout Somerset County to urge Gov. Phil Murphy to start the coming school year virtually.
“Public schools are the hub of every community,” Dan Epstein, SCEA president, said in a prepared statement. “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, according to the statement.
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 said in the statement, “but not at the expense of our health, our students, our loved ones, and our communities.”
Social distancing and masks are required.