Returning to School Presentation

Dr. Christopher Irving, Superintendent May 12, 2021

Returning Safely: Overall Objectives

Summer 2021: Focus on summer enrichment & recreational programs; orientation of 5th & 6th grade for middle school and 8th & 9th grade for high school (create video tours)

2021-22 School Year:
-	Return to five day, full day, in-person model
-	COVID still with us - social-distancing measures (e.g. masks) -	Start off with “social emotional week” in September
-	Baseline Assessments

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Summer 2021 Plans

Summer 2021 Plans

Summer Operations:
●	Food Services - We will be continuing our breakfast and lunch protocols as we have done throughout the school year. In locations that have students they will be provided with bagged breakfast and lunch at dismissal. For students/campers that are with us all day we will be implementing CDC protocols for feeding that limits gathering and provides social distancing.
●	Technology - The Technology Department will continue to run the Chrome Depot program out of Teaneck High School to support students and staff. Additionally, we will prepare the laptops for a September distribution. As the custodial team completes classroom cleaning, we will go through each classroom and ensure the technology is connected and functioning for the start of school.

www.teaneckschools.org

Summer 2021 Plans

Summer Operations:

●	Safety - We will have each building cover with a safety officer and following our current protocols for building entry.
●	Facilities - Our maintenance and custodial staff staff will be cleaning and sanitizing facilities daily and preparing building for the September opening, maintaining CDC guidelines that has been implemented for the 20-21 school year.

www.teaneckschools.org

Summer 2021 Plans

Summer IMPACT Academy:
●	Dates: July 6, 2021 to July 30, 2021
○	Goals: Provide small group intervention for identified students; S.T.E.M-focused, hands-on learning experiences for learners; and exposure to the arts.
■	Incoming first - eighth: Virtual
■	Incoming fifth graders - Potential in-person instruction
■	Incoming ninth graders: Monday - Thursday, in- person at Benjamin Franklin Middle School ■	Incoming sophomores - seniors: Virtual
●	Professional development for teachers will take place on July 1st and July 2nd
○	Training will focus on providing targeted interventions and supporting instruction for S.T.E.M. learning projects.
●	Pre-assessment and post-assessment data will be collected to determine growth during the four-week period ●	English learners will be provided with summer language support within and throughout the duration of the
program
●	Registration and program information will be made available to families during the week of May 24, 2021.

www.teaneckschools.org

Summer 2021 Plans

Curriculum Writing:
In 2020, the New Jersey Department of Education updated several sets of standards. These changes, by code, need to be reflected in our district’s curricula. As such, the following the documents will be revised:
●	Theater, Art and Dance ●	Spanish and French
●	Elementary ESL curriculum ●	Health curricula
●	Seventh Grade Social Studies
●	AP Mathematics curricula and Mathematics Pacing Calendars (all grades) ●	Language Arts Pacing calendars (all grades)

www.teaneckschools.org

Summer 2021 Plans

Special Education: June 22 – August 2
●	IEP mandated Extended School Year (ESY) Program- 8 am to 12 pm:
○	Hybrid - in-person or remote instruction (per parent/guardian selection).
○	Preschool through kindergarten at Smiley-Lacey and grade 1 through 18-21 students at BFMS.
○	Two multisensory reading interventionists to improve phonemic awareness, phonics, and reading comprehension skills of emerging readers.
○	Art and Music Therapy - to support student’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being as they experience the challenges of living through COVID 19.
●	Reading & Math Learning Acceleration/Credit Recovery for High School Students eligible per staff recommendations
●	Compensatory Education as per IEP team determination ●	Parent Virtual Workshops
●	Staff virtual professional development including series of resources on N.J.A.C.6A: 14 Special Education Eligibility and Classifications

www.teaneckschools.org

Summer 2021 Plans

Social Emotional Needs:
Summer Counseling Program (M in IMPACT Academy) - July 6 -July 30
Goal: Support students’ social emotional wellbeing by engaging in lessons/activities centering: positive coping skills, building resiliency, peer group relations, grief and loss and transitioning to next school year. Parents/guardians will also have an opportunity to participate in sessions aimed to increase engagement of families in understanding, informing, and supporting the social emotional wellbeing of their students. Note: Age-appropriate programs will be provided virtually by district staff

Summer Mental Health Support
●	Mental Health Initiative - Clinicians will be available to continue support to students grades k-8 as well as parent webinars
●	FORUM counseling services are available to students and parents during the summer.

www.teaneckschools.org

Summer 2021 Plans

Camp K: Summer camp will run at Hawthorne School from June 28 - August 6, under modified program for kinder - grade 6 and following COVID protocols including mandatory COVID testing for staff and campers. Registration is now open via MySchoolBucks (online registration & payment system). Full details: https://www.teaneckschools.org/SummerCamps.aspx

Athletics:
●	Athletic conditioning program, through district approved vendor, geared toward Middle School and High School Student-Athletes to address:
○	Speed and Agility ○	Strength
○	Conditioning
●	Sport Specific Training provided by our coaches to prepare for upcoming seasons.

www.teaneckschools.org

Fall 2021 - Spring 2022

Overall Plans & Expectations

Fall 2021- Spring 2022: Returning to School ● Planning for a full day, all week model
● All virtual option? Planning will take place over summer ● Reintroduction: First week of school experience plans
● Safety Protocols and social distancing guidelines will be modified & followed according to most recent information from State & CDC

www.teaneckschools.org

The Start Strong assessments will be administered in fall 2021 to all students in English
	
Language Arts (ELA) grades 4-10, Mathematics grades 4-8, Algebra I, Geometry and
		
Algebra II, and in Science grades 6, 9, and 12.

			
Assessments
●	A new district-wide universal screener (STAR) will be used to gather baseline data for the 2021-2022 school year and set targets or key progress indicators for the 2022-2023 school year.

●

●	The Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) will be administered for first, fourth and eighth
	
graders.
	CogAT results are considered in making placement decisions for the Teaneck
		
	Academically Gifted (TAG) program in both the elementary and middle schools.

Curriculum & Instruction

www.teaneckschools.org

Curriculum & Instruction

New Hires for Curriculum and Instruction
Tentative Start Date for hires: July 1, 2021 - Pending Board Approval ●	Supervisor of Fine & Performing Arts
○	First-year goals: Evaluate and assess the district’s current offerings; provide targeted professional development on the updated New Jersey Students Learning Standards for Visual and Performing Arts; and work with teachers to enrich the district’s current offerings.
●	Supervisor of Humanities and Gifted Education
○	First-year goals: Review and implement recommendations from the Amistad, Holocaust, LGBTQ+ and Individuals with Disabilities Committees; and Execute recommendations for redesigning the district gifted programming.

www.teaneckschools.org

Curriculum & Instruction

Plans for New Pathways at Teaneck High School ●	Television and Media Production
○	Television and Media Production Teacher -Tentative Start Date: July 1, 2021 Pending Board Approval
○	Construct secondary instructional programming for students in broadcasting, media production and content creation
●	Technical Theater
○     Realign Advanced Theater Tech. Curricula to match the National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI) assessment for Theater Technology

www.teaneckschools.org

Curriculum & Instruction

Plans for Elementary School
●	Screening and inclusion of first and second grade students in the district’s gifted and talented program
●	CogAT (Cognitive Abilities Test) administration for all first and second grade students to ensure that we are finding our most gifted learners sooner
●	Implementation of a multisensory phonics program, Fundations, to accelerate learning in reading foundations
Plans for Middle School
●	Additional enrichment activities open to all middle school students as part of the district’s expansion of gifted and talented programming
●	Planning for and implementation of accelerated English/Language Arts coursework for the 2022-2023 school year.

www.teaneckschools.org

Curriculum & Instruction

Middle School Pilot Programs
●	7th Grade Shared Elective Course- Creative Writing and Literature & Cinema
Goal: To maximize an undersubscribed elective course offered to 7th grade students at Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin Middle Schools
○	Instructor would remain at “home school”
○	Students would take 1 semester of Creative Writing and 1 semester of Literature & Cinema
○	Students at alternate school would join class virtually
○	Possibility of quarterly “field trip” for students to convene in person ●	8th Grade Students Enrolling in High School Math Course
Goal: To provide an opportunity to more rigorous math course

www.teaneckschools.org

Special Education

Specialized Programming
●	Ongoing Professional Learning - Inclusive Education for preschool and elementary (NJIETA Grant). ●	MTSS/I&RS Staff Training and Hibstervention Program Implementation for K-12 (CCEIS Funds).
●	Implement research-based supplementary reading and math programs for K-12 RTI tier II and III, where appropriate (CCEIS Funds).
●	After school multisensory reading interventionists to improve phonemic awareness, phonics, and reading comprehension skills of emerging readers grades 9-12 per student IEP and staff recommendation (ESSER Funding).
○      Identify in-district interventionist at the high school level. ○      Implement ISPIRE targeted reading intervention program.
●	Compensatory Education as per IEP team determination to address interruption in related services during Covid-19 (ESSER Funding).
○	Additional Child Study Team support in the summer for meetings and evaluations.
○	Students needs determined based on service logs, progress reports, formal and informal assessments to safeguard a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE).
I

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Special Education

Related Services (ESSER Funding)
●	Assistive and Interactive Technology District-wide.
○	Additional iPads for students and speech and language specialists.
○	10 Promethean boards for multiple disabilities special education classrooms. Virtual Workshops (ESSER and CCEIS Funding)
●	Parent/Guardian virtual workshops - topics to be determined.
●	Staff virtual professional development including series of resources on: ○	Provide (1-2) trainings on the special education process to all staff.
■ N.J.A.C.6A: 14 Special Education Eligibility and Classification.
○	CST Workshop - addressing inclusion, modifications, accommodations, and differentiation in Special Education pre-K to grade 12 programs.

www.teaneckschools.org

Social Emotional Needs

●	Staff Training: “Youth Mental Health First Aid”
○	This 6-hour training gives adults who work with youth the skills they need to reach out and provide initial support to children and adolescents (ages 6-18) who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem and help connect them to the appropriate care. Note: training for k-12 counselors and Safety Officers are scheduled for May & June 2021
●	Students: (SOS) Signs of Suicide is a universal school-based prevention program that teaches students in grades 6-12 how to identify the signs of depression and suicide in themselves and their peers. Through a video, guided discussion, and brief screening for depression, students are encouraged to ACT (Acknowledge, Care, Tell) when worried about themselves or a friend.
●	Increased Counseling Support: “Connecting with your Counselor” via class lessons and small groups. Topics: positive coping skills, building resiliency, peer group relations, grief and loss.

www.teaneckschools.org

Social Emotional Needs

●	“Wellness Wednesdays”: Focus of SEL & Mental Health sessions and activities for school community (staff, students and families).
●	Parents University: A district-wide initiative to increase parent engagement and provide support to parents. Parents will be able to earn points for participating in their child’s school and/or PTO/PTA activities. At the end of the school year, parents receive recognitions/rewards for their participation based upon the parent involvement level earned (i.e., associates, bachelor, masters, and doctorate)
●	Partnerships with Mental Health Association of NJ & CarePlus to provide trainings and workshops

www.teaneckschools.org

Athletics

● Return of Sub-Varsity Athletic programs ○     Increase the number of participants
○	Ensure the stability of each program for years to come
● Return of Middle School Athletics
○	Cross Country, Soccer and Basketball
● Off-Season Strength Programs at Teaneck High School ○	Increase strength and agility of student-athletes
○	Prevent potential injuries for student-athletes

www.teaneckschools.org

Operations: Technology

Title I Funds:
-	Purchase additional Interactive Boards to be installed in classrooms throughout the district following the Teaneck Public Schools’ Strategic Plan Priority Area 2 in creating a classroom standard for technology.

Strategic Plan:
-	Strategic Plan Priority Area One: Academic Programming - The Technology Department will work alongside Curriculum & Instruction to create a district wide system to disaggregate data using the LinkIt software.
-	Strategic Plan Priority Area Two: Facilities and Infrastructure - The Technology Department will continue to improve its operations by making configuration changes to its network and systems to ensure we are meeting cyber security best practices. An example of this is the creation of a BYOD(bring your own device) network for staff and students.
-	Strategic Plan Priority Area Three: Communications and Community Partnerships - The Student Information System Committee will finalize their selection of a new Student Information System and will begin to work on the transition during the 2021-2022 school year to have a new Student Information System to be released in 2022-2023 school year.

www.teaneckschools.org

Operations: Safety Protocols

Safety Protocols Enhanced - With use of the ESSER funds we plan to enhance our indoor air quality via the newest Ionization technology. Additionally support will be provided in order to manage the return of all of our students and managing entry and exit points for all buildings and also to support a streamlined process for COVID contact tracing and reporting.

Daily cleaning protocols will continue and masks and sanitation stations will be available in all buildings.

Staffing:
●	A temporary position will be used to support COVID related matters, under the supervision of Human Resource Management and Public Safety. This is a grant-funded position for approximately two years funded through ESSER monies.

www.teaneckschools.org

Operations: In-Person Safety Protocols

We currently implement a high caution, quarantine model to help mitigate further spread within our district community. COVID Positive students or uninoculated staff, as well as their specific in-district direct contacts, will be quarantined as per district protocol.

Recent CDC guidance now permits the district to reduce to 3’ of spacing between the desks of our elementary students, but must maintain 6’ of spacing of desks for middle and high school students when the health matrix level of the community is HIGH or VERY-HIGH.

Testing & Wellness:
●	The district offers weekly COVID-19 Testing for students, staff, faculty, and community members every Wednesday. This service will continue in some capacity moving forward. .
●	Faculty and staff will required to submit negative COVID-19 results prior to returning to district facilities due to, potential exposure, quarantine, or any extended holiday recess.
●	Any and all persons entering district facilities are required to submit to a wellness check prior to building entrance through district software system - Qualtrics.

www.teaneckschools.org

Operations: Communication & Community Education

District’s Internal & External Communications Plan (2021-2022 school year goals): ●	Launch of Redesigned District Website & training of staff for content updates
●	Implement district/school mobile apps (already offered at High School; expand to all 8 schools for easier, immediate communication outreach)
●	Issue ongoing communications (email, video, and possible podcasts) from Superintendent and other school leaders on progress being made toward District Strategic Plan goals
●	Involve students in the design, production and implementation of our communications

Community Education: Proceed with SACC (before and after school care services), provided the district returns to a full day schedule. COVID protocols will still need to be in place for the fall. Will need to evaluate financial impact of additional needs such as supplies and nurses to support the 7 schools now part of this program (SACC had 4 schools in 2019).

www.teaneckschools.org

Next Steps

•	ESSER & Other Federal Funds •	Guidance by State & NJ DOE
•	Credit requirements in policies/address antiquated policies •	Summer Planning for:
○	Vaccination Decisions/Requirements - Policy Needs? ○	Video tours for new middle & high school students ○	COVID Modifications:
■ Lunch and physical education classes during school year ■ Safety Protocols
○	Virtual/Remote Option

www.teaneckschools.org

www.teaneckschools.org