A monthly e-newsletter to keep you connected to your District
A NOTE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT
It has been 175 days since our schools have been open for in person instruction. 175 days since our halls and classrooms have been filled with the smiles and laughter of our staff and students. 175 days of trying to figure out how to live in the middle of a global pandemic. All of our lives have been impacted in varying degrees and my heart goes out to those who have lost loved ones during this time. As a nation and society, we are now faced with the task of balancing the restart of our "new normal" with continuing to do what we can to mitigate the transmission of the coronavirus any further. This is not a simple task. There is much we don't know and even more that we don't have control over. Nevertheless, we endeavor to move on the best we can.
Since the end of the last school year, Westwood Regional School District has been working tirelessly to find answers to the countless questions so that we can regain control over our educational environment that has been disrupted. Slowly, but surely, guidance was released by the Governor as well as the Department of Health and the Department of Education that shaped the road ahead. The result is the development of a reopening plan that has been approved by the County Office of the Department of Education as consistent with the health and safety guidelines set forth by the State. While we recognize that a single plan is unable to meet the individual needs of every member of our school community, our plan does present the best roadmap for us to return to in-person instruction safely and responsibly while also affording parents a choice to participate in a hybrid or full remote model of instruction. Our buildings have been cleaned. Supply orders have been placed and received. And our teachers are set to return next week to kick off the 2020-2021 school year before students arrive, in-person or virtually, on September 14.
Despite all of the work and preparations in place I still share the feelings of fear and anxiousness that public health crisis has stirred. However, I am also confident that we have a clear plan to return students and staff back to our schools safely and responsibly as long as everyone does their part. Together we have weathered many storms, literally and figuratively, and together we will continue to forge ahead.
Stay safe,
-Dr. G.
Community UPDATE
Middle School Delayed Return to In-Person Instruction
As reported at the last Board meeting, the administration has been awaiting confirmation of our ability to safely return students and staff to in-person learning at WRMS. Unfortunately, while progress continues, we have not received such confirmation; therefore, we are delaying our return to in-person instruction at WRMS for two weeks until Tuesday, September 29 and remote instruction will begin for all WRMS students on September 14. This decision does not impact the reopening plan for any other school in the district.
We will continue to closely monitor and assess our ability to return safely, and if there is a need to shorten or extend the delay, we will notify the school community as soon as practicable. We understand and share the frustration and apologize for any inconvenience this may cause our Middle School students, staff, and families. We are committed to doing what we can to return safely and responsibly .
November 3, Election Day: All Remote
Per Executive Order-177, "All public primary and secondary schools shall be closed to in-person instruction on November 3"; therefore, we will schedule an "All remote" day of instruction for all groups. Please mark your calendars.
School Reopening Resource Portals
Health Advisories and Information
Out of State Travel Reminder
The State of NJ has issued a travel advisory that all individuals entering New Jersey from states with a significant spread of COVID-19 should quarantine for 14 days after leaving those states and not return to work. The list of states is updated regularly. While this self-quarantine is voluntary, compliance is expected. In addition, if you have travelled internationally in the last 14 days, the CDC recommends you stay home, monitor your health, and practice social distancing for 14 days after you return from travel. Contact the Human Resources Office if you have any questions.
Face Mask Guidelines
As required by the Governor and included in our reopening plan, all students and staff are required to wear face masks in our schools. The district will be providing one reusable cloth facemask to every student and staff member. Any mask that is brought from home must fit snugly around the nose, mouth, and under the chin. In general, homemade or store bought multilayered washable cloth face masks and non-medical disposable 3 layer mouth/nose masks are permitted. Gaiters, bandanas, scarves, and masks with one-way valves or vents are prohibited. If you have a question, feel free to reach out to your school nurse.
Expedited COVID Testing UPDATE
Just a quick update to inform all school districts that the testing information provided last week is temporarily suspended. The Bergen County Health Department is searching for a new location. In the meantime, they are sharing another testing resource:
PM Pediatrics
Rt. 17 Paramus
201- 262-5432
RecommendationsForLocalHealthDepts_K12SchoolsSept8update.pdfUpdated NJDOH COVID-19 Health Recommendations
This updated guidance document outlines NJDOH COVID-19 public health recommendations for schools to follow if/when cases of COVID-19 are confirmed in schools.
Daily COVID-19 Home Screening for Students.pdfDaily COVID Home Screening
Parents / guardians must use the district-provided screening checklist to conduct a daily health screening each morning prior to sending their child to school for in-person instruction
ANNUAL NOTIFICATIONS
In addition to the forms and documents located in the Genesis Parent Portal for your review, the following documents are being provided for your information. If you have any questions about any of these documents, please don't hesitate to reach out to your building principal.
JULY/AUGUST MEETINGS
Board meetings continued throughout the summer in preparation for the 2020-21 school year. Click on the links below to view the agendas* for each meeting:
July 13, 2020 (Board Retreat)
July 23, 2020 (Regular Meeting)
August 25, 2020 (Board Retreat)
August 27, 2020 (Regular Meeting)
You can also review prior agendas and meeting minutes online.
*Note: Minutes are added to each folder after they are approved by the Board of Education at a public meeting.
The following Board policies were approved at the most recent Meeting of the Board of Education:
POLICIES
P1648 - Restart and Recovery Plan
P2468 - Independent Educational Evaluations
P6470 - Payment of Claims (M)
P6480 - Purchase of Food Supplies (M)
Any policies currently under review by the Board can found here and ALL final policies and regulations can be found on the district website under the Board of Education drop down menu.
2020-2021 GOALS
In August, the Board of Education developed and formally adopted the following district and board goals that identify our key priorities for the for the 2020-2021 school year. District goals focus on enhancing the work of our schools; whereas, Board goals emphasize the work of the Board of Education.
DISTRICT
Emphasize mental health and wellness supports for students and staff brought on by the current public health emergency.
Promote equity, diversity, inclusion, anti-bias initiatives in the areas of professional development, personnel recruitment and hiring, curriculum and curricular material, community engagement and culture and climate programming.
Ensure that students are afforded the same quality and scope of instruction and other educational (or related) services among all educational environments (i.e., hybrid in-school, hybrid-at home, and strictly remote learning).
Review and revise, as needed, the current long-term and short-term facilities plans in consideration of the current public health emergency.
BOARD
The Board will complete a new Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Westwood Education Association and the Westwood Administrators Association.
In an effort to continue the progress the District has made through running Zoom board meetings and posting the full videos on Youtube, it will pilot the audio recording of all public board meetings and post them on the District website as podcasts.
Continue to work towards becoming a NJ School Boards Association Certified Board by participating in 4-6 hours of additional Board training.
Review and revise, as needed, board bylaws and procedures to open discussion about the operations of the Board of Education on an annual basis.
Improve community knowledge and understanding of the role of the Board of Education and actively seek ways to enhance community engagement.
important dates
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
September
7: District Closed
14: First Day of School
28: District Closed
24: Board of Education Meeting
October
22: Board of Education Meeting
REVISED WRSD School Calendar 2020-2021 (approved 051420).pdfDon't forget to Follow and Like us on social media!
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