Jersey 1st is Working to get Children Back in the Classroom

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Today’s edition of the Wall Street Journal features an article entitled “New Jersey Parents Sue to Reopen Schools.” The article by Leslie Brody profiled the role that Jersey 1st is playing in helping New Jersey parents get their children back in the classroom quickly and safely.  Article linked here: https://www.wsj.com/articles/new-jersey-parents-sue-to-reopen-schools-after-covid-19-closures-11616857201

“An advocacy group where Mr. Baffico is a board member, Jersey 1st, is helping parents in some towns consider litigation, he said. Parents in about 30 districts in New Jersey have reached out for guidance, he said: In three districts, parents are preparing complaints and in 14 they are trying to organize.”

The article highlighted the efforts of frustrated parents from Montclair, Scotch Plains-Fanwood and South Orange-Maplewood who are suing the school district in order to get their children back in the classroom.  At the forefront of the efforts, was the advocacy work of Jersey 1st:  Another mother from West Orange – quoted in the article- Allyson Colon- has also worked with Jersey 1st to advocate on behalf of her daughter.

Rosemary Becchi, President of Jersey 1st, was humbled by the mention of the non-profit organization that she founded in 2018.  “We have simply been helping parents find resources, share information, and effectively advocate to get their children safely back in the classroom where they belong.  The science supports in-person learning, and it is time for the school districts to put the children first.  We will continue to help parents advocate for the best interests of their children- and will continue to help amplify the voices of parents who have felt unheard throughout the pandemic.”