The start of the new school year is approaching and hundreds of school districts across the state have submitted plans for reopening in the COVID-19 era.

“We all know this will be a school year unlike any other we have ever had,” Gov. Phil Murphy said Wednesday.

Statewide, 434 school districts will have a hybrid schedule with virtual and in-person lessons, 242 districts will have remote learning, 68 districts will have in-person learning and 22 districts will have some combination of these styles.

Many school districts, especially larger ones like Toms River and Elizabeth, were forced to go all-remote after teachers started applying en-masse for leave due to child care issues or health risks. In Toms River, 333 teachers applied for the exception.

“We have to adjust. There’s no choice,” says mother Carmen Zapata.

Zapata’s daughter Angelie is a second grader at Cooper Elementary School. Her family, like so many others, is figuring out how to mix work with homeschooling.

“She misses the in-class a lot because she misses her friends and teacher. It’s a different environment,” Zapata says.

There are some districts that are moving forward, similar to private schools, and sending students to learn in a classroom setting. In Monmouth County, there are 18 schools that will be sending students into classrooms five days a week. One of them is Bradley Beach.

Bradley Beach only has one school in town and like other small districts, overcrowding isn’t’ an issue. It is a similar situation in Long Branch and Atlantic Highlands.

Parents in districts where there will be a hybrid learning scenario say that they hope the plans last and that they don’t need to fall back on remote learning.

With many schools starting on Thursday or next week, Murphy gave one last message of support: “We are committed to the success of every district of every school, every district, every teacher and most of all, every student.”