April 26, 2021

Dear Parents/Guardians, Students & Staff,

Per the most recent CDC guidelines, effective Monday, May 3, 2021, our district will be moving from the 2 day cohort model to a 4 day learning model (no cohorts) for our preschool, kindergarten and elementary students. This change will impact our current in-person General Education classes only, as our Special Education self-contained already use a different in-person schedule. Please note that due to Bergen County’s current COVID-19 levels and the CDC’s updated guidelines pertaining to desk placement (CDC Physical Distancing Guidelines), we will continue with the cohort model for our middle and high schools while we monitor and evaluate their possible return to a four day schedule.

As we work towards combining cohorts in order to provide our pre-k through grade 4 children with more in-person class time, please note the following:
1.) We will continue to follow the half day release schedule 2.) Wednesdays will continue to be all virtual days
3.) Children who are participating in all virtual classes will not be impacted by this change.
4.) If a child receives bus transportation, there will be no change to the bus schedule; however the parent/guardian may be contacted with a new seat assignment.

Additionally, as we prepare for a four day return of our students (through the end of this school year), please be advised that we are working towards collecting information on staff vaccinations; and we want our families to know that effective immediately, all students 16 and older are now eligible to receive a vaccination. While not mandatory, cases are rising and Holy Name Medical Center here in Teaneck will administer the Pfizer vaccine to all eligible children.

If you are a parent/guardian of a preschool, kindergarten or elementary school child, you will receive more information on the new four day approach from your principal. I will also discuss this in greater detail at our April 28 Board meeting which begins at 8 pm (see the website for log-in information).

I’m looking forward to seeing many of our students back in school for an extended period of time. This will serve as a model for how we will look towards bringing all of our students back to school in September.

Sincerely,

Dr. Christopher Irving, Superintendent of Schools