What if We Need to Close our Schools?
On March 5, 2020, the NJ Department of Education advised all districts that IF we are required by the Department of Health to close schools due to a health concern related to COVID-19, we would be permitted to utilize home instruction to satisfy our instructional requirements.
We are in the process of creating those home instruction contingency plans, which could include direct services and assignments and online instruction (see question below for more details). This means that once our home instruction plan is approved, IF state health officials direct us to close, we would NOT be required to make up those days in the calendar.
What is the District’s Home Instruction Plan?
We are in the process of developing our home instruction contingency plan and we will release it once it is approved. Our plan will take into consideration that students and staff have varied levels of access to technology devices and have varied levels of connectivity in their homes. Our plan will also be inclusive of all learners.
What if I Don’t Have Internet Access or a Computer at Home?
Our home instruction plan will provide multiple and varied ways students can receive instruction.
How Will a Decision to Close Schools be Made?
The decision to close a school is made in consultation with local health officials and/or the Department of Education. If such an action becomes necessary, we would notify our parents the same way we do if we have a “snow day,” i.e. phone call, email and website posting.
The governor declared a State of Emergency on March 9, 2020. What does this mean for our schools?
This declaration does NOT impact how we operate our schools and it is NOT a directive to close schools. The declaration of a "State of Emergency" allows state agencies and departments to utilize state resources to assist affected communities.
In Gov. Murphy's State of Emergency video on Twitter, he explains that for the vast majority of New Jerseyans "...this declaration will have no immediate impact on daily life. New Jerseyans can still move around freely in the state and go to work and school in accordance with employer and school district guidance.''
For more information, see Gov. Murphy's State of Emergency video. Or visit the Governor's State of Emergency notification.
