Paterson Public Schools officials announced today that students and staff will begin remote learning and remain remote after the upcoming holiday break.

The district’s remote request was made in collaboration with the Paterson health officer, Dr. Paul Persaud. 

“The rising numbers of COVID-19 cases due to multiple variants are cause for concern for all of us,” says Persaud. “A surge of new cases has occurred in northeastern New Jersey, and it is expected that the trend will continue through the holiday break,” said Superintendent of Schools Eileen F. Shafer. “That is why I told the Paterson Health Officer of my concerns and asked for his support of my recommendation to begin remote learning throughout the district starting January 4th until January 18th.”

The period of remote learning will begin Jan. 4 and the district’s schools and offices will reopen on Jan. 18.