Teaneck Public School District Revised Re-entry to School Plan
2020-2021

Dr. Christopher Irving, Superintendent November 18, 2020

Overall “Return to School” Objective

● Provide a smooth transition to in-person instruction for all student populations via a hybrid approach beginning January 25, 2021
● Per Governor’s Order, offer choice for parents/guardians of students in all grades to return their child to in-person instruction in a hybrid/cohort model.

Ensuring Smooth Transition

● Weekly meetings Town Manager & Town Health Director to monitor COVID cases
● Weekly meetings with Executive Team to plan and assess preparedness
● Regular consultation with District Physicians
● Bi-weekly meetings with union leadership (i.e. TTEA & TAAS)
● Continued consultation with Board Re-Opening Committee

Second Marking Period Goals

● November 19 - Screen-time surveys of teachers, students and families regarding computer usage for the purpose of learning.
● On December 14 - All staff will return to prepare learning environments and acclimate to teaching remotely from their classrooms, and to ensure understanding and adoption of COVID-19/building protocols.
● Increased interventions and small group meeting times for targeted instruction
○ Implement IXL as a personalized learning program

● Implementation of the district tutoring program based on student data garnered from the first marking period
● Increase Social Emotional Learning supports

Modified Instructional Schedule

Three Tiered Approach - November 30

Direct Instruction

Students will receive instruction on the core subjects via synchronous instruction

Small Group/ Intervention Period

Students will meet in small groups to receive targeted interventions

District Tutoring Program (After-School)

Based on data rendered from the first marking period, students may participate in the district’s tutoring program.

(Program will take place virtually.)

Hybrid Instructional Model Beginning January 25, 2021

Teaneck’s hybrid instructional model will be developed using a think tank protocol.

● The Department of Curriculum and Instruction will meet with elementary, middle and high school teachers during the last week of November.

● During these meetings, these groups will co-create the instructional framework that will be used when we return to schools.

● By December 4th, Teaneck’s Hybrid Instructional model will be in place which will include the voice and expertise of our teachers.

● The proposed model will be shared with the Teaneck Board of Education Curriculum Committee during the December sub-committee meeting.

Returning ALL Staff to Schools -December 14, 2020

In order to:
● Acclimate staff to building protocols; ● Practice social distancing measures;
● Implement instructional strategies for blended learning;
● Understand and execute COVID-19 Protocols for entering and exiting buildings; and
● Prepare learning environments for students to return.

Family / Parent Meetings

In December, meet with families and parents to: ● Explain the hybrid learning model and the
school’s respective schedule;
● Provide explanations regarding the classroom environment and the student learning experience; and
● Listen and respond to families about the instructional schedule and the upcoming hybrid learning model.

Registration Survey Identifying Remote Learning or In-Person Learning Decisions

•	Per Governor’s guidance on July 24, 2020 all NJ school districts must offer an “All Remote Learning Option” for families: Gov. Murphy -Guidance for All Remote Option
•	All families (Pre-K through 12 & 18-21 post-graduate students) will have the option to return to in-person learning via the hybrid/cohort model
•	Distribute survey Dec. 7th to Dec. 11th

•	For parents/guardians who want their child/children to continue with remote learning, the district will be issuing a form for you to complete and return.

Placing Students in Cohorts

In order to keep our school population safe and to allow for more efficient social distancing, we will split our students into groups. Students will be divided in a way that enables each class to have enough space between students in the classroom.

● Students will be identified by their last names ○ Example:
■ Group A will be composed of students whose last names begin with the letters A-L.
■ Group B will be composed of students whose last names begin with the letters M-Z.
● Cohort attendance will be based on developed schedule

Monday
	
Tuesday
	
Wednesday
	
Thursday
	
Friday

Group A A-L
	
Group A A-L
	
All Virtual Day
	
Group B M-Z
	
Group B M-Z

Sample Cohort Schedule

Note: Wednesdays will be utilized for deep cleaning of the buildings

SCHOOL
	
STAFF TOTAL
	
STUDENT TOTAL

Theodora Smiley Lacey
	
31 including 2 paras
	
127

Bryant Elementary
	
69 (25 Teachers, 32 Paras, 1 Sub, 5 CST/SP, 1 Nurse, 2 Secretaries, 1 Insight Manager, 1 Custodian, Principal)
	
225

Hawthorne Elementary
	
48 total staff members
	
300

Lowell Elementary
	
50 total staff members 16 paras
	
334

Whittier Elementary
	
57 (1 Admin, 2 Secretaries, 34 Teaching Staff members, 1 Counselor/Outreach Worker, 3 CST, 1 Nurse, 1 Custodian, 1 Media Center Specialist, 2 Speech, 1 PT, 1 OT, 1 Behaviorist, 1 Careplus, 6 Paras, 1 Kelly Services Sub)
	
329

Elementary Staffing & Student Totals

SCHOOL
	
STAFF TOTAL
	
STUDENT TOTAL

Benjamin Franklin Middle School
	
74 (3 Admin, 3 Secretaries, 58 Instructional Staff, 3 School Counselors, 4 CTS Members, 1 Media Specialists, 2 Coaches, 1 Building Sub, 1, School Nurse, 1 Custodian)
	
554

Thomas Jefferson Middle School
	
80 staff members including paras
	
512

Teaneck High School
	
199 (119 Teachers, 5 Admin, 6 Sec., 4 Deans, 2 Cust., 6 Forum, 7 CST, 6 Counselors, 25 Para., 15 Caf., 3 Tech, 5 Aramark, 1 Teach on Assign., 1 Trainer, 1 Kelly Sup.)
	
1201

Middle & High School Staffing & Student Totals

Action Step
	
Dates

Implement the Modified Instructional Schedule
	
Starts Nov. 30th

Principals Setup Family / Parent Meetings Explaining the Hybrid Learning Model
	
Nov. 30th - Dec. 4th

Begin Registration Survey Identifying Remote Learning or In-Person Learning Decisions
	
Dec. 7th to Dec. 11th

Return all Staff Members to School
	
Dec. 14th - Dec. 23rd Jan. 19th until June

Begin Hybrid Learning Model Students begin in-person learning
	
Starting January 19th for staff and January 25th
for students

Proposed Timeline

Drop-In & SACC Programs

● The Drop-In Program (during school child care) has been suspended through middle of January. If schools open for all grades in mid-January, this program will no longer be needed. If they do not open, we will explore possibility of bringing the program back.
● The SACC Program (after school child care) has been suspended through middle of January. Provided schools re-open, we will plan to return the SACC program at that time.

After School Tutoring Program

● District Tutoring Program (Grades 1 through 12)
■ Will be offered virtually Tuesdays and Thursdays ● English Language Arts & Mathematics
● 2 rotating groups per day
● 45 minute sessions per subject area

● District Tutoring Criteria
■ Students will be selected based on data from first marking period
■ Assessment Data
● Teacher-Created

After School Tutoring Program

● Tutoring will begin December 1, 2020 ■ Transition to Program
● Explanation of program expectation ■ IXL Program
● Student access to program

● Communication
■ Coordinators/Tutors will communicate with parents in reference to student progress

Winter Athletics

● Per the Governor’s Executive Order, winter athletics are limited with no intrastate athletic or sporting events
● At this point, we are preparing to begin the winter season under same criteria as fall season:
○ Baseline COVID testing
○ Training of COVID protocols of staff, students and parents ○ Hiring of staff
○ No fans for indoor events

December Meal Distribution

Bryant & High School Only (day and evening hours) ○ December 1 - 18 - Tuesdays and Fridays
○ December 21 - Monday
○ December 23 - Wednesday ○ December 28 - Monday
○ December 30 - Wednesday

Safety Protocols: Schools

● Throughout buildings, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) instructions will be visible to all staff and students indicating:
○ Social Distancing ○ Wash Your Hands ○ Wear Face Masks
● Cleaning protocols will be implemented daily to ensure disinfections of surfaces throughout the building

Safety Protocols: Student Personal Safety Box & Desk Shields

Safety Protocols:
Visitors to Schools & District Office

● All visitors must have prior appointment approval from Building Principal/Head of Department being visited
● WELLNESS CHECK FORM: All who plan to enter ANY district school or building, must complete this online form (on district website homepage) before entering any building. This form must be completed for each occasion/visit.
● All visitors must display government issued ID & process ID through visitor management system
● All visitors will be required to wear a mask and observe social-distancing protocols
● Virtual meetings will be recommended for meeting with school-based and district staff when possible

Additional Considerations

● Monitor transmission rate of COVID 19; could impact re-opening plans
● COVID Testing will be made available for all staff and students starting Wednesday December 2, and for every Wednesday thereafter - locations TBD