Dear Families, Caregivers and Staff,
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Our schedule for returning all students who requested in-person/hybrid learning is complete. PreK-5, Middle Schools, and Freshmen have begun in-person learning and the High School’s schedule is below.
We are happy to announce that our school playgrounds will be open following appropriate CDC guidelines. We will institute daily cleaning of high touch surfaces. According to Governor Murphy’s Executive Order No. 241 masks are still required for elementary students even when outside. However, being out in the sunshine with this additional outside activity time will help to provide a much-needed socialization element to the school day.
In-Person/Hybrid for Elementary Schools
We expect to use one of the District fields as our outdoor venue for our Moving Up ceremonies so that we can accommodate all of our families. Principals will be sending out information once details are finalized.
We are developing a survey about returning to school five days a week through the end of this school year to make an informed decision for ALL Elementary schools. We will evaluate variables, such as, proper spacing, furniture, and even restructuring physical spaces. We are also considering implementing a five-day option for students in Tier III, Tier II, and those with 504s. Please know that once variables are considered, we will implement five days based on efficiency, safety, and equity in all schools.
In-person/Hybrid for Middle Schools
This Wednesday an email was sent explaining the collapse to two rotation groups for the Middle Schools to begin May 24. Please continue to review Principals’ messages for further information.
In-person/Hybrid for High School
High School students begin in-person/hybrid learning following their MHS Mountie/Bulldog schedule as follows:
- Sophomores: May 26
- Juniors: June 1
- Seniors: June 1
Asynchronous lessons will be provided on May 24 and 25 for teachers to have professional development and time to set up classrooms. Students in AP classes may not receive asynchronous instruction and should follow directions given by their AP teachers.
Additional details will be forthcoming from the High School administration.
Summer Programming
Letters were sent this week to parents/guardians of students in grades K-8 who are identified in need of targeted support and intervention. Parents/guardians who received letters are asked to go to the “Forms” tab in Genesis to enroll/decline your child for this summer program. MHS Credit Recovery and K-8 Academic Enrichment opportunities information will be sent out at a later date.
Transportation
Please check Genesis regularly for route updates and time changes. When changes are made that affect multiple stops, eblasts are sent using School Messenger. However, during these initial weeks, please continue to check. For our high school students we created an additional two routes at both the south and north ends of town using a two mile threshold. This lower mileage threshold will allow us to service more high school students.
Food Service
Meals will be available on Mondays and Thursdays for in-person students upon dismissal from the Elementary Schools. For those who are remote, parents/guardians can pick up meals on Mondays and Thursdays for one hour at any Elementary School starting one hour after school dismissal time. For those parents/guardians who cannot pick up meals at an Elementary School during the afternoon hours, please pick up meals at the High School on Mondays and Thursdays from 4 to 6 PM.
Meals are available at Middle Schools at dismissal for those in person and for remote students one hour after dismissal. For those parents who cannot pick up meals at Middle Schools, the High School will have them from 4 to 6 PM.
Meals at the High School will be available Mondays and Thursdays following the same pattern above.
Important Information from Nursing Services
Updated Travel Guidance
The guidance has changed again. We are following the CDC guidance requiring all non-vaccinated students or staff members who travel out-of-country or out-of-state outside the immediate region (NY, CT, PA, DE) for more than 24 hours to quarantine. Please note the COVID-19 health related guidance chart for staff and students includes the updated travel information.
COVID-19 Vaccinations for Adolescents
Please view the flyer from the CDC regarding recommendations for pre-teen and teen vaccinations.
Appointments are available across New Jersey and all individuals 12+ who live, work, or study in New Jersey are eligible.
- Use New Jersey’s Vaccine Appointment Finder to schedule an appointment near you.
- Walk-in vaccinations are available at all six vaccine mega-sites to New Jerseyans age 12+ during select times with no appointment.
Mountainside Hospital is also scheduling COVID-19 vaccination appointments for 12-15-year-olds.
Parents/guardians can complete the registration form and a scheduling team will follow-up with an appointment via phone call. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for the appointment.
National CPR and AED Awareness Week
June 1-7 is National CPR and AED Awareness Week. Please view the video for a 90-second tutorial highlighting Hands Only CPR that can help save lives. Every second counts!
District Highlights
Montclair Public Schools’ staff members were honored at the May 17 Board of Education meeting in recognition of being named New Jersey Department of Education’s Governor’s Educators of the Year. These individuals were selected by their schools for their educational innovation, student achievement, and important services outside the classroom environment that lead to student success. Congratulations on this outstanding achievement! See the list of recipients.
What began as an endeavor many months ago by two highly motivated and passionate sophomores at Montclair High School, has resulted in five teams of girls submitting final projects to the annual ProjectCSGIRLS (PCSG) international competition. Sylvie Wurmser and Ede Koehlert took the reins and led the club for the first time, creating the lessons and activities, managing weekly meetings, and encouraging and directing a group of girls to compete in this year’s competition, offering advice, mentorship, and supervision. This was the first year that PCSG was open to all three middle schools in the district. Read more.
REMINDERS
Technology
We continue to distribute technology to our families every Tuesday from 9 AM to 12 PM and from 1 to 3 PM at Hillside School (Entrance B on Hillside Ave. side). Please contact your child(ren’s) school so a work order can be placed. Once the work order is placed, someone from the Technology Office will reach out to you and coordinate a date and time for pickup.
Reminder: Pooled Testing for PreK-5
For those of you who have completed the consent forms in Genesis, we will continue our pooled testing. Please prepare your children by showing them this instructional video. We are hopeful that this mitigation step will be a tool that will help us curtail the spread of the virus.
There will be no weekly update next week due to the Memorial Day holiday. The District is closed on Friday, May 28 and Monday, May 31. As we enjoy a break from routines and get some relaxation, let us also remember those we honor who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the pursuit of freedom.
Sincerely,
Dr. Jonathan Ponds
Superintendent