The Cherry Hill Public School District revealed its preliminary plan for when its 11,000 students return to school in September.

“Our intention is to run a hybrid schedule,” says Superintendent Dr. Joe Meloche.

At the high school and middle school levels, there will be a few options on the table. But all will involve students coming to school a few days a week and learning remotely for the rest.

“We’re looking at an A-B daily rotation. So basically, half of the children will come to school on Day A, the other half of the children will be on a virtual learning opportunity day where there will be work that will be prepared by the teacher they’ll be doing online and then the next day, the same thing. The kids will switch. The A group will be home, the B group will be in school,” Meloche says.

And when it comes to the elementary students, there is one plan in place which will involve students coming to school two days a week and learning remotely for the other three. All parents will have the choice to keep their children at home 100% of the time and learn online if they wish.

“I think parents are really struggling with what is the right idea for their child. What does it mean to be healthy? What does it mean to be physically safe?” the superintendent says.

Masks will be required at bus stops, on the bus and in the classroom. Field trips outside of school will not happen this fall.

And what happens if someone at the school is exposed to COVID-19?

“That’s probably the final piece in this process,” Meloche says, while adding he hopes to have an answer by the July 28 board meeting.

Meloche also says that he expects to have a revised plan taking parents comments and concerns into account by the time of the board meeting as well.