Jersey City schools to resume in-person learning for some students next week

The Jersey City Public Schools District is set to return to partial in-person learning after some back and forth on the decision.
The city announced Wednesday that grades pre-K through third grade will be returning to in-person learning on Thursday, April 29.
All other grades are going back as early as May 10.
Earlier this week, the school district announced in-person learning wouldn't resume until September. But at the first in-person school board meeting in over a year, that decision was changed.
“We sat together with the union leadership, myself and the superintendent, and we sat and we really started to think about the logistical hurdles and how we can overcome them, and we were able to come to a resolution that I think is in the best interest of students and children from across Jersey City,” said Jersey City Board of Education President Mussab Ali.
Ali also said the district is not reopening in one day because it will allow for some flexibility when it comes to staffing because there were some concerns about staff shortages.
On Thursday, parents gathered for what was supposed to be a protest of the delayed reopening, but the event turned into a celebration following the decision to bring back in-person learning.
Parents said the rally also served to continue to apply pressure on the board of education to meet their demands for a reopening plan.
"Time after time they have promised us so many things and they've backtracked. So, we're here today to celebrate the good news, but we're here to keep them accountable," said parent Jennifer Sforza.
Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop also attended to show his support to the parents and students and stressed the importance of now executing a reopening plan that works for parents and teachers.
He also called this short return to school a test run for a full return in September.