Toms River, NJ – After being closed to in-school learning since January 28th, Toms River’s Citta Elementary School is expected to reopen this week. The school was closed under the advisement of interim Superintendent Thomas Gialanella after an increase in positive COVID-19 cases.
Since the 29th, students and staff have worked within the district’s all-virtual classroom model. The decision was made out of extreme precaution.
“Since receiving notice of an increasing amount of positive cases within the school, and after consulting with OCHD, our nurses, and our leadership team, we determined the safest, most cautious, and correct approach [was] to temporarily put a halt to in-person instruction,” Gialanell said. “A temporary closure can consist of remote learning for up to 14 days, according to OCHD guidance, and this 10-day period aligns with that guidance.”
“I understand this is not ideal, and I acknowledge the hardships this imposed on our parents,” the superintendent added. “I sympathize, sincerely.”
The school will not open on Monday as the district has declared a hybrid day due to Sunday’s snowstorm.