Lakewood’s public school students are growing in their education, knowledge, and social skills despite the national COVID-19 pandemic, as school administrators continue accomplishing the provision of in-person instruction with numerous safeguards.

Since the summer, Lakewood’s public schools have been educating its more than 6,000 students in person, with over 80% opting to come to school, and the remainder participating via remote instruction over Zoom. According to multiple school officials and Lakewood’s Public Schools data, more and more students continue to opt into the in-person option for their schooling.

Officials from the Lakewood School District say that their collaboration with the Lakewood Police Department and Ocean County Health Department was crucial for the continuation of uninterrupted learning for its students.

As an example, one official noted that the Lakewood School District was one of the few districts that did not experience a lapse in providing vital special education services during the pandemic.

As previously mentioned on TLS, the District’s successful provision of educational services are in large ways due to the extensive health precautions implemented in the schools as well as on buses.

Additionally, to ensure that students are having their educational, social, and emotional needs met in addition to their safety, the Lakewood School District teamed up with Dr. Margaret Fisher and Dr. Shmuel Mandelman, who have guided the district’s “every move,” according to 3 Lakewood school officials.

As of Monday, November 23rd, the district is revamping its remote instruction to facilitate greater participation and increase learning opportunities for remote students.

One of the changes being made is that remote students will no longer rely on prerecorded lectures for instruction; rather, they will join the classes live with teachers speaking directly to them from the classrooms, and students will be required to participate full-time in those classes.

The move comes after the Lakewood School District last week filed truancy charges against several remote students who were not fully participating in the educational programs created for them, in the hope that the message to both students and parents that they must participate as much as possible is necessary for the successful educational outcomes of the students.

Students for whom this change impacts and wish to return to in person instruction may email Superintendent Laura Winters at [email protected] or through community liaison Anna Faone at [email protected], and who can also be reached at all times on her cellphone, 732-618-6949.

Board of Education president Moshe Bender told TLS that he is encouraged by the progress being made and instruction being provided to Lakewood’s students, and especially in person instruction.

“It is heartening to see thousands of our students coming together, working hard, and achieving great things in the midst of a pandemic that could have ruined everything,” Winters said. “The District is extremely appreciative of the staff, parents, and students who are participating in person, despite the hardships. And I thank everyone for the collaborative efforts that are occurring.”