Somerset Hills School District is making a significant change in the way students attend school. The change came from the bright idea that, due to Cohort A and Cohort B being half their sizes from when the hybrid model began, administrators felt that combining the cohorts would not have negative consequences. This decision, obviously, is going to have significant effects on students, but it also interrupts the everyday conditions of many teachers.

For instance, many teachers have yet to be vaccinated against Covid-19 and an increase in students at one time in class would increase the chances of virus spread – especially during the winter months when everyone is cooped up inside.

Interestingly, roughly half of the teaching staff surveyed felt confident in their ability to social distance after the combination. These results show an obviously positive sentiment toward the administration’s plan to combine. Dr. Neigel stated that, thinking for the benefit of the teaching staff, “[The combination] will also help our teachers who will be able to teach to two more evenly split groups, rather than just a few students in the classroom and most at home. ”

This same accordance with the oncoming plan is seen in the survey responses to the question “Do you agree or disagree with the change to a 5-day cohort at this time?” The results were overwhelmingly positive and prove that teachers are aligned with the administration in their goals to get the kids who want to be in school, in school.

Another interesting facet of the survey regarded a hybrid cohort. The plan to combine Cohorts A and B would essentially make the decision for students five days a week at school or go All-Virtual. Intriguingly, over half of teachers surveyed thought that having an option for students to go hybrid, as they had been. Many teachers believed that the cohort combination would be the deciding factor for many who were on the fence about going All-Virtual, as almost ¾ surveyed anticipated that there would be a rise in at home schooling after the combination. The school could look into making the decision not an ultimatum, but with over 60% of students virtual (and counting), it is doubtful any difference would be made by having more options.