Schools open: Camden’s youngest students begin first day of in-person classes

There were cheers, high fives, and a few jitters as hundreds of Camden’s youngest students resumed in-school learning Monday for the first time in more than a year.

Shortly before doors opened at the H.B. Wilson Elementary School, students and their parents began arriving around 8:30 a.m., greeted by a cheering crowd that included school officials and community leaders.

“There’s nothing like having them in person. We missed them a lot,” said Principal Nicole Harrigan.

Camden, one of the largest school systems in South Jersey, was among the last districts in the state to remain fully remote since the start of the school year. Most schools began reopening in September with hybrid learning.

In Philadelphia, the public school system has also resumed face-to-face learning for its prekindergarten through second grade, while those in grades three to five and students with complex needs in grades six to eight can come back two days a week beginning next Monday.

Superintendent Katrina McCombs said Camden needed more time to safely open its antiquated buildings. Earlier this year, a majority of the district’s teachers expressed health concerns and were reluctant to return to their school buildings and McCombs said the district would not have enough teachers to staff classrooms.

» READ MORE: Katrina McCombs appointed new Camden schools chief amid fiscal troubles (from April 2019)

About 900 students in pre-K through second grade and some special needs students began reporting Monday to 11 schools scattered around the city. Camden enrolls about 6,800 students. McCombs said the district hopes to gradually bring back its older students.

“Today is a great day,” McCombs said, standing outside the brick school. “This is very important for us.”

About 50 students were expected at H.B. Wilson from 9:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Monday and Tuesday. A second cohort returns for in-person learning at the same time on Wednesdays and Thursdays. All students log on synchronously at home on Fridays. The school enrolls about 600 students through eighth grade.

“I definitely feel like it’s the first day of school — in April,” laughed Anna Martin, a reading specialist. “I’ll take it. I’m just so thrilled.”

Elsewhere in the city, Camden Education Association President Keith Benson passed out ice cream cones and pretzels to welcome students and staff back to U.S. Wiggins College Preparatory Lab Family School, one of three schools slated to close in June because of declining enrollment. Teachers are experiencing “varying degrees of apprehension” about returning, he said. About 19 students showed up Monday, he said.

The mood was festive at H.B. Wilson as students, some wearing new outfits, sporting fresh haircuts, and carrying new backpacks, were escorted to a grassy area to line up. Music blared and Camden firefighters and Camden County police officers and teachers danced to “Uptown Funk.”

“I’m nervous being back at school,” admitted first grader Christopher Roper Jr., 6. His teacher, Shaun Arline, reassured him that his class of four students would have a fun time.

“Having the kids back in school will be a blessing,” said Arline.

Devine Burton, 7, a first grader who was among the first to arrive, got to sit in the police department’s slingshot, a three-wheeled motorcycle used for community events. “This is what I want to be,” he told Patrolman Mike Shirk, pointing to his police badge.

Said Shirk: “That’s what I want to hear.”

Members of Mount Olivet Seventh-day Adventist Church, which adopted H.B. Wilson and provides tutoring, greeted students. “This is a special day for us as well,” said Pastor Robert Best. “When they’re not here we miss them.”

A few anxious parents pressed their faces against a fence to watch as their children marched into the school. Teachers clapped, waved signs, and cheered with pom-poms. The students, all wearing masks, were escorted inside and followed social distancing guidelines.

“I’m praying that this works, and everyone stays healthy,” said Christopher Roper’s mother, Diana Ross, 41. “I had to pray on it, and think about it. Time will tell.”