N.J. schools closed through at least May 15, Murphy says

New Jersey schools will be closed through at least May 15 because of the coronavirus pandemic, with the state’s 1.4 million students continuing to learn from home, Gov. Phil Murphy announced Thursday.

Murphy initially ordered all schools in the Garden State— public and private, including pre-K and college — to close March 18 for at least two weeks. He later extended that closure to April 17, saying he would not reopen schools until medical experts tell him it’s safe.

Now, his unprecedented order will last at least four more weeks.“Let me be perfectly clear: There is nobody who wants to open the sc… Read the rest of this entry »

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Senate Panel Approves Casagrande’s Bill On Life-Saving Allergy Treatment In Schools

Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande

School nurses and other trained personnel would be authorized to administer epinephrine to any student having an anaphylactic reaction under legislation sponsored by Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande (R-11).

Casagrande’s bill, A-304 was passed  in the Assembly, 73-0, on May 22 and was approved by the Senate Education Committee unanimously this morning.  If approved by the full Senate, the bill will go to Governor Chris Christie whose signature will make it law.

“As many as two children in every classroom have at least one food allergy,” said Casagrande, R – Monmouth. “Schools should be able to respond quickly and appropriately to help children with a serious allergic reaction.”

Recent studies suggest that one in 13 children are affected by food allergies. More than 15 percent of school aged children with food allergies have had a reaction at school.

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