Return to School Plans
Complete the Virtual Instruction Form for each student electing 100% Remote Learning. This form does not need to be completed if your child is learning remotely to comply with Quarantine/Isolation Protocols.
Review the Rules for Return to School if you are experiencing symptoms of illness or have been exposed to COVID-19.
Health Message SDOC Nurses
Nurse video final draft (2).mp4Watch this video from SDOC nurses on how the health practices below can mitigate the transmission of COVID-19 and promote physical health
Hand Washing
Face Coverings
Physical Distancing
Respiratory Etiquette
Return to School Guiding Principles
The School District of the Chathams remains committed to our Essential Intent which is to Grow the Gifts within each child.
The School District of the Chathams is equally committed to providing a safe and innovative learning environment for all students. The plans below are comprised to balance safety with the importance of educating students. We will continue to make informed decisions based on the best data from government and health officials.
Our decisions for the 2020/2021 school year will continue to be driven by guidance from the:
Overview of Opening School Plans/Schedules
Plan A (Grades PreK-5)
School is open to all students everyday.
School day will start at regularly scheduled time.
School day will operate on a two hour early dismissal schedule.
Morning/Afternoon Kindergarten will follow a regular schedule.
Students will remain with their homeroom class throughout the day.
ELA and Math will be prioritized for in school instruction hours.
One special a day will be taught.
Other specials will be taught virtually or assigned as homework.
Programming for students receiving special education services will be consistent with and determined by their I.E.P.s.
Programming for students receiving special education services will be consistent with and determined by their I.E.P.s.
No lunch period on-sie
Students qualifying for free and reduced lunch will be provided a packaged lunch just prior to dismissal. Apply here.
All parents may order a packaged lunch for their children to be delivered to the classroom just prior to dismissal
Post In-School dismissal (Grades 1-5):
one-hour "break" for transport/lunch.
Scheduled virtual instruction from home after the break for one hour.
Parents and Students will be required to follow Google Meet Guidelines or will be subject to disciplinary action.
Official School day ends at regular dismissal time.
Plan B (Grades 6-12)
School day will start at the regularly scheduled time
50% of students will attend school one day and 50% of students will attend the next day
Student groups are determined by first initial of last name (A-K, L-Z).
All Students with an I.E.P may attend school everyday
All students receiving E.S.L support may attend
A full complement of courses will be maintained to the greatest extent possible for all students.
On virtual instruction days students will follow the same schedule as if they were in school. Students will log into the and attend school/class via Google Meet.
Programming for students receiving special education services will be consistent with and determined by their I.E.P.s.
No lunch period on-site.
Students qualifying for free and reduced lunch will be provided a packaged lunch just prior to dismissal on the days they attend school
Students qualifying for free and reduced lunches may pick up lunch from school on days on virtual instruction days.
On the days students are at school, all parents may order a packaged lunch for their children to be delivered to the classroom just prior to dismissal.
Post In-School dismissal:
one-hour "break" for transport/lunch.
Scheduled virtual instruction from home after the break for one hour.
Parents and Students will be required to follow Google Meet Guidelines or will be subject to disciplinary action.
Official School day ends at regular dismissal time.
Plan C All Students
Remote Virtual Instruction
Governor Murphy may order schools not to reopen or require schools to close physically at some point during the year, requiring Plan C for all students.
100% remote and virtual instruction for all students
Chromebooks will be provided to all students.
Remote learning plans will be implemented. Virtual Instructional Information by grade and content area can be found on the Virtual Learning Site
Virtual learning schedules will be determined by each building.
Virtual schedules will be communicated by the building and will vary from regular in person school day schedules.
Remote schedules will still require students to log on with their teachers via Google Meet at specified times and attendance will be taken.
Special Education
All students with an IEP may attend school daily
Kindergarten students that would have attended the full day kindergarten program will attend the general education AM kindergarten and will be dismissed at 11:25. Students will then attend their special education program until 1:05. Students should bring a light snack to eat between programs.
Students opting for remote virtual instruction may request to have their related services in school. Related services will be delivered in group and individual sessions based on the IEP.
Dates and times for related services will depend upon the volume of services requested and the availability of therapists.
Students electing remote generalized instruction and choosing in school related services are likely to miss portions of their generalized virtual instruction when traveling to and from school for services.
Transportation will not be provided to students electing remote generalized instruction and in-school related services. Parents will be responsible for transportation to and from school for related services.
Parents electing Remote Virtual Instruction may request that special education resource center programs (English, Math, and Learning Skills) be delivered in school with their teacher and peers. Parents will be responsible for providing transportation to and from school for resource center programs and may require more than one trip to school. Students may elect to participate in some or all resource center programs for which they are eligible in person.
English and Math assessments will be performed and will be used to determine if teacher directed supplementary support is needed.
Child Study team evaluations will be conducted for students due to receive an evaluation in 20-21. Evaluations will be moved to the beginning of the school year wherever possible in case school closure is required at a later date.
IEP meetings will continue to be held virtually.
Out of District Students will receive reopening information from the Assistant Superintendent of Student Support Services.
Attendance
The current School District of the Chathams Attendance Policy 5200 will remain in effect and apply to all students regardless of the method for delivery of instruction (in-person, hybrid and remote).
Late Arrival and Early Pick Up protocols will be communicated by Building Principals.
Remote Virtual Instruction Option
Students are not required to attend school in person.
Any Parent may elect full Virtual Remote Instruction.
Remote Virtual Instruction Selection Form must be submitted 30 days in advance.
Students may return to In-Person School 30 days after submitting the Request to Return to In-Person Instruction Form. The first date students electing Full Remote Instruction would be permitted to return to school would be September 30, 2020
Students electing Virtual Instruction will log into Google Meet and attend School/Class at their regularly schedule times.
Students will receive instructions on how to attend a Google Meet daily.
Attendance will be taken by the teacher.
Teachers will be on-screen to deliver lessons and will determine when to live stream/mute.
Parents and Students will be required to follow Virtual Learning Guidelines or will be subject to disciplinary action.
Students will be required to check in with their teacher(s) each day during a separate Goole Meet or other accountability tool. Likely during the post-dismissal period.
Students will be required to complete assigned homework.
Students on virtual instruction will still need to take district assessments. This may entail timed assessments while on Google Meet, submittal of photographs to verify student work, and appointments at school after the school day has ended to take District assessments.
School Closure
Overview of Protocols
The determination for school closure will be made in consultation with local public health officials.
The NJDOE has developed preliminary guidance to inform local public health officials on school closure protocols.
SDOC will be guided by the DOH in making all decisions about school closures.
The local DOH may not require the entire District to close, but mandate that certain classes or buildings to go virtual. In this case detailed communications will be provided by building principals and classroom teachers.
Should school closure be necessary Remote Learning Plans will be implemented. Visit the Virtual Learning Site for additional information by grade level and content area.
