Corrado & Kean Host “Return to School Roundtable” with Parents, Students, Educators & Experts
Senator Kristin Corrado and Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean hosted a virtual “Return to School Roundtable” with parents, students, educators, and experts to discuss returning students to classrooms full time and the various challenges that have resulted from the pandemic.
The meeting was held this morning via Zoom and livestreamed for public viewing on Facebook Live.
Sen. Kristin Corrado and Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean hosted a Return to School Roundtable on Friday, May 7, 2021. (NJ Senate Republicans/YouTube)
“I’m glad we could provide a forum for parents, students, and education advocates to have an open discussion with their lawmakers about the importance of returning to school in a manner that is both responsible and safe,” said Corrado (R-40). “There was broad consensus that many students are missing out on a variety of important interactions and support systems both inside and outside of their classrooms resulting in learning loss and physical and emotional harm. It’s imperative that we get kids back into the classroom full time as soon as possible.”
“There was a clear and uniform sentiment expressed by our panelists that the potential risks to students of COVID-19 in a school setting is less than the real harm that is impacting students due to learning loss and social isolation with continued hybrid and remote learning,” said Kean (R-21). “We also heard repeated concerns that districts have struggled with differing county and local health department requirements leading to a wild inconsistency in school closures and pandemic response measures. It’s clear that we need to open up our schools fully and trust that our administrators know how to keep their students and teachers safe.”
TODAY @ 10 AM: Corrado & Kean to Livestream Return to School Roundtable
Senator Kristin Corrado (R-40) and Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean (R-21) will hold a virtual Return to School Roundtable today, Friday, May 7 at 10 a.m.
Sen. Kristin Corrado and Sen. Tom Kean will livestream a Return to School Roundtable with parents, students and education professionals today, Friday, May 7 at 10 a.m. (SenateNJ.com)
During the livestreamed meeting, the senators will talk with parents, students, and education professionals about returning students to the classroom full time and the challenges and concerns resulting from pandemic-related disruptions.
Kean Legislation Helping Underrepresented Students in STEM Programs Signed into Law
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean’s legislation requiring new guidance in the recruitment of underrepresented students for STEM programs was signed into law today by Governor Murphy.
Sen. Kean’s legislation requiring new guidance in the recruitment of underrepresented students for STEM programs was signed into law by Gov. Murphy. (Pixabay)
“I am pleased that this legislation was signed today. STEM fields are some of the fastest-growing in the country and students who would like to pursue a STEM career should be able to do so regardless of their gender or ethnicity,” said Kean (R-21). “This law will make certain that colleges and universities focus on ways to recruit historically underrepresented students in STEM programs.”
Kean & Gopal Bill to Examine State Funding for Higher Education
Requires Development of Funding Formula to Support College & Universities, Keep Tuition Affordable
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean and Senator Vin Gopal are sponsoring bipartisan legislation that would help ensure predictable state funding for New Jersey’s colleges and universities to keep tuition affordable for students.
Sen. Tom Kean and Sen. Vin Gopal are sponsoring bipartisan legislation that would help ensure predictable state funding for New Jersey’s colleges and universities to keep tuition affordable for students. (SenateNJ.com)
“Now that National College Decision Day has passed, many students and their parents are likely coming to grips with the reality that paying for tuition this fall, even at a supposedly lower-cost state school, isn’t as affordable as they had hoped,” said Kean (R-21). “That’s because our state has consistently underfunded our colleges and universities leading to tuition increases and a crisis of affordability. It’s time for New Jersey to systematically address the funding needs of our state colleges to lower costs for students and reduce the need for loans that may take decades to repay after graduation.”
MEDIA ADVISORY (5/7): Corrado & Kean to Livestream Return to School Roundtable
Senator Kristin Corrado (R-40) and Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean (R-21) will hold a virtual Return to School Roundtable on Friday, May 7 at 10 a.m.
Sen. Kristin Corrado and Sen. Tom Kean will livestream a Return to School Roundtable with parents, students and education professionals on Friday, May 7 at 10 a.m. (SenateNJ.com)
During the livestreamed meeting, the senators will talk with parents, students, and education professionals about returning students to the classroom full time and the challenges and concerns resulting from pandemic-related disruptions.
Kean Statement on Passing of NJ Hall-of-Famer Steve Kalafer
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean issued the following statement on the passing of Steve Kalafer, an inductee in the New Jersey Hall of Fame:
Statement from Sen. Tom Kean on the passing of NJ Hall-of-Famer Steve Kalafer. (CC0 Public Domain)
“Steve was a loving family man, an all-star in business, including as founder of the Somerset Patriots, and a dedicated philanthropist who cared about improving his community. He truly lived a Hall of Fame life that should serve as a model for us all.”
Gov Signs Kean Bill Assisting Military Dependents Attending College in New Jersey
Students Whose Families Moved Away Due to New Military Assignments Will be Eligible for Cheaper In-State Tuition Rates
Service members’ children who attended high school in New Jersey would be eligible for in-state college tuition rates under legislation sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean and signed today by the Governor.
Service members’ children who attended high school in New Jersey would be eligible for in-state college tuition rates under legislation sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean and signed by the Governor. (Flickr)
“When military obligations bring families to New Jersey, they become part of the community,” said Kean (R-21). “They attend school, participate on athletic teams, earn spending money working in local businesses, and form life-long friendships. New orders may take them away, but this bill is an incentive for those students to attend college and start careers in the Garden State.”
Kean Names Testa Co-Chair of Legislative Manufacturing Caucus
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean has appointed Senator Michael Testa (R-1) to serve as co-chair of the bipartisan legislative manufacturing caucus.
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean has appointed Sen. Michael Testa to serve as co-chair of the bipartisan legislative manufacturing caucus. (Pixabay)
“Senator Testa has been a leader on the legislative manufacturing caucus as it works to secure New Jersey’s future as the go-to destination for high-tech manufacturing,” said Kean (R-21). “He’s worked closely with Senator Oroho, who will continue to play an active role in the work of the caucus after serving honorably as co-chair. I’m proud that Senate Republicans have such a skilled and dedicated team that’s focused on improving the Garden State’s economy.”
Kean Bill Protecting Patients of Rare Diseases Clears Senate
Medical Conditions Can Increase Vulnerability to COVID
The Senate approved legislation (S-2682) sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean that would establish the New Jersey Rare Disease Advisory Council to ensure those suffering from unusual conditions receive suitable care.
The Senate approved legislation sponsored by Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean that would establish the New Jersey Rare Disease Advisory Council to ensure those suffering from unusual conditions receive suitable care. (Flickr)
Doctors have identified more than 7,000 relatively unknown and difficult to diagnose rare diseases, and there is increasing concern that many of these relatively unknown illnesses can make victims more susceptible to the coronavirus.
Kean Responds to Ruling in Public Worker State Residency Case
Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean responded to a ruling by a Superior Court judge that a Somerville teacher living in Pennsylvania could not be fired because a state residency requirement is unconstitutional:
Sen. Tom Kean responded to a court ruling that a Somerville teacher living in Pennsylvania could not be fired because a state residency requirement is unconstitutional. (©iStock)
“It’s been clear for years that the law forcing employees who work for the State, local governments, and public schools to live in New Jersey was flawed for a number of reasons, including those cited by the judge,” said Kean (R-21). “While the ruling appears to apply just to this one individual, it’s likely to lead to other litigation and be cited in other cases. It makes more sense than ever to repeal the residency requirement completely.”
