TheTOMS RIVER Times Vol. 16 - No. 43
In This Week’s Edition
MICROMEDIA PUBLICATIONS
JERSEYSHOREONLINE.COM
Winter Storms Erode Beaches
BREAKING NEWS @
jerseyshoreonline.com
Dear Joel Page 13
Inside The Law Page 13
Dr. Izzy’s Sound News Page 16
Dear Pharmacist Page 17
─Photo by Bob Vosseller Some beach access points in Ortley Beach remain closed due to the drop-offs that were caused by recent storms. Bay Head has experienced similar erosion to their beaches and sand replenishment remains a mission of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. By Bob Vosseller OCEAN COUNTY - The winter forecast has raised cause for concern for not only public safety on the roads but for the damage sustained to the Jersey shore coastline. Recent storms have left behind as much as three feet of snow in the northwestern portion of the Garden State, while strong winds and waves have eaten away at some beaches. Waves reached up to
12 feet in height and carved away beach areas causing drop-offs of 10 feet or more in Ortley Beach and Bay Head. This caused severe damage to dune walkovers at numerous sites. Communities blocked off walkways that normally lead down sloped paths to the beach out of concerns for safety. That damage is now slated for repair and restoration before the summer beach season
starts. Governor Phil Murphy announced that the federal government should be stepping up to address the severe erosion in Bay Head and the Ortley Beach section of Toms River as well as other areas that have been identified. The governor said his administration has been in contact with federal officials. “They are completely exposed right now,” Governor Murphy said
noting that this situation is far more serious than the usual sand replenishment that would occur in preparation of the summer beach season. It is also a matter of protection for those communities. New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection representatives surveyed 81 beach sites from Raritan Bay to the Atlantic coast and Delaware Bay prior to the February 7 storm. (Erosion - See Page 2)
Governor Allows Limited Attendance At School Athletics
By Chris Lundy TRENTON – Governor Phil Murphy announced just before the spring season gets underway that a limited number of people will be allowed in person to watch indoor and outdoor school athletics. He announced this on February 12. The Ex-
ecutive Order went into effect immediately. Districts can choose to allow up to two parents/ guardians per participating athlete under the age of 21, according to a statement he put up on social media. This also includes practices. The attendance still
cannot exceed 35% of the room’s capacity or 150 people. This doesn’t mean 150 parents, it means 150 people in the area – including coaches, referees, players, parents, etc. Other public health guidelines, such as social distancing and the wearing of masks, must
be adhered to. One key point is that the school districts have the choice to open it up to the public. Each district can be more restrictive than the state if the local officials deem it appropriate. Interstate competitions at high schools are still prohibited.
“As a father of four, I know how difficult it has been for many parents to not be able to see their kids participate in sports,” said Governor Murphy. “With our metrics trending in the right direction, we feel comfortable taking this step (Athletics - See Page 4)
February 20, 2021
In-School Classes To Be 4 Days A Week
By Chris Lundy TOMS RIVER – Students who are going to school in-person will be going four days a week instead of two, as the next stage of the district’s reopening plan is scheduled for March. Parents who want their children to stay home were given the choice to stay virtual. They had to make that choice or else the child would default to in-person. Parents can change their mind once per marking period. Kindergarten through 5th grade students will return March 1 and grades 6-12 will return March 15. In-school classes will be Monday through Thursday. Friday will be virtual for all students. The decision to bring more students to school was announced during a Board of Education meeting that was broadcast virtually because COVID-19 has prevented the public from being in school. This has been a controversial topic, as some parents are saying that their children struggle with virtual instruction. Even teachers have said that they want to be with the children because that is an ideal learning environment; however, the coronavirus has destroyed whatever an “ideal” learning environment could be. Every day, the district’s website lists the number of students and staff impacted by the virus. On the day of the meeting, February 11, there were 366 students (2.52 percent) and 55 staff (2.49 percent) quarantined. The number who tested positive were at 465 students (3.2 percent) and 175 staff (7.93 percent). The positivity rate includes all students and staff who have tested positive since March of 2020; it does not list how many are currently sick. “We embark on this new phase cautiously, but with great hopes that it represents another step toward an eventual full return,” said interim Superintendent Thomas Gialanella. “This decision to increase in-person instruction was made carefully, collaboratively, and with the best interests of our school community in mind.” He said that he has hopes that a full return could be possible during the current school year, but is likely for the 2021-2022 school (School - See Page 2)
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