As positive cases of Covid-19 are increasing daily by triple digits, the administration of South Orange-Maplewood School District believes it is time for SOMSD schools to transition to in-person education. However, this is quite possibly the worst time to return to buildings. Exposures and transmissions from holiday gatherings and travel are just now hitting the population, combined with a new variant, from the UK, introduced in our state and our community, that make it simply too dangerous to begin in-person instruction in the coming weeks.

Please take a moment today to email Superintendent Taylor, the SOMSD Board of Education, and our elected officials.

Urge him and the Board of Education to implement virtual education in South Orange-Maplewood schools at least until a majority of the staff have received the vaccine. Reopening for in-person instruction only when the current risks have subsided enough to make that safe. Nothing matters more than the health and safety of our students, our staff and our community, and our schools should take the lead in helping to protect all of us.