Teaneck Public School District COVID Return to School Plan
2021-2022

Dr. Christopher Irving, Superintendent August 25, 2021

The Road Back: NJDOE Guidelines

• Local Education Agencies (LEA) must plan to provide full-day, full-time, in-person instruction and operations for the 2021-2022 school year.

• The NJDOE worked collaboratively with the NJDOH to develop guidance for LEAs in order to operationalize this goal.

• This joint guidance is called THE ROAD FORWARD

Teaneck Parent Survey Recap

Purpose: To seek input from parents/ guardians on having their children return to “in school” education for the 2021-2022 school year

Overall: 1367 responses; statistically reliable response rate

Teaneck Parent Survey Recap Noteworthy Responses:

●	40% indicate “extremely comfortable” with child returning to school; 46% “somewhat comfortable” and 14% “not comfortable”
●	91% child will wear a mask all day (which is now a mandate) ●	32% of 12 and older children are vaccinated
●	61% will not participate in the breakfast program (as opposed to 28% not participating in the lunch program)
●	12% need before school care and 28% need after school care ●	96% prefer email to receive communications

What are the THREE greatest concerns as it relates to schools reopening full-time?

#1 - Exposure to COVID (74%)

#2 - Cleaning/Disinfecting Practices (61%)

#3 - Emotional well-being of my child (45%)

#4 - My child being academically behind (36%)

Vaccinations by the Numbers

All staff, vendors, and educational collaborators have been working diligently to make vaccines available to their groups. As a result of their work, the following is our current vaccine status:

● Teaneck Full-time Staff - 75% ● Kelly Services - 72%
● Maschio’s - 90 % ● Aramark - 84%
● 32% of 12 and older children are vaccinated

Superintendent’s Outreach

● Staff, Parent & Student Town Hall Events were held on August 17, 18, & 19 respectively
● Each Town Hall generated strong attendance (approximately 220 staff, 500 parents, 200 students) and all participants were able to ask questions of the Superintendent
● Board’s Return to School Committee resumed meeting ● Questions and feedback were used in the development
of this plan.

Teaneck BOE Requirements

As we reopen all schools, the District is following State/NJDOE and CDC/NJDOH guidance that should be prioritized with regard to several health and safety standards as we reopen schools:

Social distancing in Classrooms: Schools must strive for 3 to 6 feet social distancing within the classroom where possible. If schools are not able to maintain this physical distance, additional layers of protection should be considered. These include wearing masks, limit co-mingling, and physical barriers between desks and turning desks to face the same direction (rather than facing each other) or having students sit on only one side of a table and spaced apart. When weather allows, windows should be opened to allow for greater air circulation.

Face coverings: Per the Governor’s order, all school staff, students, and visitors are required to wear face mask unless doing so would inhibit the individual’s health or the individual is under two years of age.

Teaneck BOE Requirements

Cleaning/disinfecting: Procedures must be implemented by each school district for the sanitization of school buildings and school buses. Increased handwashing measures are also important for students and staff. The District will be purchasing and installing touchless faucets in out bathrooms throughout the district and additional touch free hand sanitizer stations in order to increase disinfection points.

Ventilation:

Over the summer the district upgraded unit ventilators and is currenting operating with the appropriate CDC recommended filters in all units. Additionally, we continue to have pre and post school day fresh air exchange protocols with our classroom unit ventilators.

Teaneck BOE Requirements Other provisions in the NJDOE guidance include:

1. Cafeteria administrators will stagger meal times to allow for social distancing. Self-serve/buffet lines will be pre-packaged options only; with some availability for students to eat meals outside or in their classrooms; and Maschio’s staff to disinfect eating areas between lunch periods.
2. Recess will also be held in staggered shifts, with efforts to promote social distancing and hygiene protocols.
3. Cohorting: Administrators will to identify small groups of students for all community events (i.e. assemblies, lunch, etc.) within the school, to ensure that student and staff groupings are readily identifiable if the need to contact trace arises.
4. School bus social distancing on buses is generally not feasible. As such every student will need to complete the daily health screening and wear a mask. There will be a seating chart for each bus route, to ensure efficient contact tracing, in the event of a confirmed case of COVID-19. Additionally, increased ventilation (i.e. opening windows) will be utilized when seasonably acceptable, and buses will be disinfected after each route.

Central Office Operations

• Central Office staff has returned to a full-time, in-person schedule effective July 1, 2021.
• Effective 8/9/21, masks were required for all staff regardless of vaccination status until further notice.
• Members of the public can visit the new district office via APPOINTMENT ONLY to conduct/discuss district business.
• Maintaining physical distancing and wearing a mask will be required for all staff & visitors.

Guiding Principles for Reopening

• Conditions of learning that foster social and emotional well-being of students (specific focus on staff Sept. 1 - 3 and for students Sept. 9 & 10);

• Improving equitable access to grade-level content and high-quality resources for each student;

• Providing content and learning focusing on the depth of instruction rather than the pace; and

• Implementing a K-12 accelerated learning cycle to identify gaps and scaffolds as needed.

Guidance from The NJDOE Learning Acceleration Guide

Instructional Model • Students will be in-person for full-day instruction.

• Social and emotional well-being for families, students and staff will be a priority.

• Significant medical needs will be considered on a case by case basis

• The Google Platform, including all Google tools, will be used to support learning across the curriculum.
– We will continue to provide students with technology-rich experiences to ensure high-quality instruction.
– All students will be provided with devices that can be used both at home and in-school.
– Professional development on blended learning will be provided throughout the year.

Topics of Focus

● Focus: Using the Universal Screener Assessment Data to Inform and Differentiate Instruction
● Audience: Kindergarten - High School Teachers, Administrators

● Focus: Multi-Tiered System of Supports
● Audience: Kindergarten - High School Teachers, Administrators, School Counselors and Child Study Team

● Focus: Gifted and Talented Methodology & CoGAT Training
● Audience: Kindergarten - High School Teachers and Administrators

2021-2022 Professional Development

Topic of Focus: Social & Emotional Learning

● Focus: Executive Function and Social & Emotional Learning Skills for Life
● Audience: Preschool - High School Teachers, Administrators and Support Staff

● Focus: Nurturing Teacher - Student Connections & Trauma Informed Care
● Audience: Preschool - High School Teachers, Administrators and Support Staff

2021-2022 Professional Development

Topics of Focus

● Focus: Phonics & Multisensory Reading Instruction (Early Elementary) ● Audience: Kindergarten - First Grade Teachers

● Focus: Blended Learning / Educational Technology
● Audience: Preschool - High School Teachers, Administrators and Support Staff

2021-2022 Professional Development

Academic Interventions

• IXL, a comprehensive K-12 computer-based program with individualized real-time analytics, was purchased for the 2021-2022 school year for all students (kindergarten through twelfth grade) in order to support students in language arts and mathematics.
– This program can be used at-home and during school hours as a means for personalized academic support.

• The district will extend learning opportunities by providing: -	Before-school and/or after-school programs;
-	 Summer learning programs focused on academic and content area support (Summer 2022).

Programming will focus on strengthening grade-level proficiency of our students.

Special Education

• Instruction will be in-person following the district’s model.

• Related services will be provided in-person during school hours in accordance with each student’s Individualized Education Program
(IEP) including the following:
❏ Support from paraprofessionals; and
❏ Occupational, physical and speech therapy. ❏ Counseling (group and/or individual)

• Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings will remain virtual unless otherwise requested by parents/families.

• Child Study Team evaluations and assessments will be conducted in-person.

Special Education

Communication & Support:

• The Department of Special Education will hold quarterly Special Education Parent Advisory Group (SEPAG) meetings.

• Teaching Staff, Child Study Team Members and Related Service Providers will be available during normal school hours to support our students and families.

IEP Meetings:

• Virtual meetings will be recommended for meeting with school-based and district staff when possible

Early Childhood Education

• Students will be in-person for full-day instruction

• Masks will be required and 3 feet of social distancing will be maintained during instructional time.

• Hands will be washed upon arrival, before and after play, after outdoor time, or when visibly necessary.

• Tables and toys will be sanitized before and after use.

• Masks are not required during meals. Students will eat in the classroom with plexiglass barriers if distancing cannot be maintained.

• During rest time, cots/mats will be spaced 3 feet apart with children alternating head to toe. Masks are not required during rest time.

Early Childhood Education

Preschool Staff will receive Support and Professional Development to ensure High Quality Programming on the following items:

❏ Health and Safety Protocols (Sept. 1st)

❏ How to support Social Emotional Learning (Sept. 2nd-3rd)

❏ Curriculum Overview (new hires Sept. 2nd-3rd) ❏ Teaching Strategies Gold- Assessment Overview
(First Faculty Meeting)

English Language Learners

•	English learners will receive in-person, full day instruction and support from certificated ESL teachers at every building.

•	The ESL team will host three family meetings, at minimum, to support families in the transition from remote to in-person learning.

•	English learners will have access to after-school support programs, which will include Bilingual Homework support in the content areas. (This is a continuation from the Bilingual Homework Support program from last year.)

•	All teachers will receive professional development on instructional adaptations and strategies for second language acquisition during one or more faculty meetings.

•	The ESL Google Site will continued to be used to communicate information and updates regarding district’s ESL program: Teaneck Public Schools: Programming for English Learners

Athletics & Co-Curricular Activities

• Teaneck Public Schools will run our full complement of athletic programs at the high school and middle school levels.
• Varsity and sub-varsity levels will be played as previously offered dependent upon the number of participants in each sport.

Current Protocols

• Masks must be worn in indoor facilities.

• Locker rooms may be used on a limited basis.

– Coaches will circulate student-athletes in and out to minimize the number of people in the space at one time.
• Daily Health Screenings and Temperature checks will be maintained by Athletic Trainer, Coaches and Athletic Director.

Athletics & Co-Curricular Activities • Proper social distancing and masks will be mandated on buses.

• Spectator protocols regarding social distancing will be provided for families prior to the start of competition season.

• Preparticipation physicals must be completed and vetted by our medical staff.

• COVID Questionnaire, Health History and Baseline PCR COVID Tests or Proof of Full Vaccination are required to participate.

• The NJSIAA is currently working to update protocols for the upcoming season.

Physical Education

• Physical education classes will be held in person and will focus on fitness.

• Teachers will continue to use social distancing protocols as well as limit the sharing of equipment.

• Classes can be held outside pending weather and field conditions.

• Guidance on use of locker room is pending.

Social and Emotional Well-Being & Mental Health Supports

•	Develop a compendium of current SEL resources at the building and district levels –	SEL Inventory

•	Develop a districtwide resource map of school-based and community mental health supports and services available for students, staff and families
–	MTSS framework

•	Tier 1 - universal prevention •	Tier 2 - “at-risk” intervention •	Tier 3 - intensive intervention

•	Counseling Support Services available to students and families: –	School Based Supports
•	Outreach Workers (elementary)

•	School Counselors (middle and high school)

•	FORUM Counselors - counseling support at the THS, programs for middle and high school students
•	Student Assistance Coordinator •	CarePlus
–	Mental Health Initiative Clinicians - Counseling sessions for Elementary and Middle School students and families

•	Workshops and webinars to provide resources and support to students, staff and families

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Technology Support

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Upgraded laptops devices for all staff
Links to How-to/help documents and Parent Internet Resources are available on the Teaneck Website
Additional Promethean Interactive Boards will be purchased and installed throughout the school year to continue to provide students with technology rich resources
For technical issues, parents/guardians and students can email techhelp@teaneckschools.org to reach the technology department for technical assistance
Student Chromebooks:
○ All students will keep their devices as they move up from school to school.

○ All students should remember to charge their chromebooks prior to arriving at school.
○ All students should remember to bring their device and charger to school everyday.

Safety Protocols: Schools ● Mask/face covering required at all times, except when eating,

Phys. Ed., and other NJDOE exceptions

● All students and staff will be required to acknowledge our District Wellness Protocols at the beginning of the school year, and will be sent a reminder “COVID Health Awareness” email daily.
● Safety Officer assigned to each school to ensure adherence to protocol implementation
● Fall sports have commenced, After-school clubs and activities have resumed on a limited basis
● Lockers will be used at Teaneck High School. Middle school will assign lockers in a phase in approach during the 1st marking period.
● ID’s for ALL students, staff, and visitors, to be readily identifiable while face is covered

Safety Protocols: Schools

● Throughout buildings, instructions and reminders 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: Staff

● All staff must be vaccinated or participate in weekly COVID testing (PCR) on Thursdays (and return results by Sunday)
● Holy Name Medical Center will offer option for staff weekly testing AND is offering one more dedicated TPS Vaccine Clinic at the Rodda Center for our staff, students and families on Sept. 2 (second shot Sept. 23)

Safety Protocols: In-School Requirements

Social Distancing although recommended is not always practical. In order to limit exposure to COVID-19, the following measures will be required:

• Face masks worn by all Students and Staff

• Frequent washing and disinfecting of hands (Hand sanitizing stations have been added in each school building)
• Desk Guards for students

• Limit sharing of books, papers, documents or tangible items • Limit travel of students to different classrooms

Safety Protocols: Schools

The following link will take you a virtual tour of our schools in preparation for the return of students and staff.

PPE Supplies

● Disposable Face masks will be available at all schools for students and staff.
● Upon request, face shields and other items deemed necessary will be made available for schools via Principal and Directors request.
● Additional anti-bacterial gel stands will be in every hallway in all schools.

PPE for Students

● Every desk in District will be equipped with a protective barrier divider.

● Each school will have some face masks, when students forget theirs at home.

● Safety Signs: Complete with Social Distancing and Hand Washing reminders!

NOTE: Parents must also provide PPE for their child/children

Safety Protocols: Busing

● Masks/face coverings must be worn by all drivers, aides and students upon entering the bus
● All students, staff, and driver will be required to acknowledge our District Wellness Protocols at the beginning of the school year, and will be sent a reminder “COVID Health Awareness” email daily.
● Students will board the school bus by filling the back rows first, and then progressing forward
● Assigned seating for students will assist in contact tracing, should the need arise
● Siblings will be assigned to sit together
● Windows will be opened, when seasonable, to provide increased ventilation
● School buses will be cleaned and disinfected between routes

Safety Protocols: Food Distribution

● Grab & Go breakfast will be available daily near the building entrances, and eaten in classrooms
● Lunch will be traditional service, without self service elements. All condiment and utensils will be pre-packaged and individually wrapped. Deli sandwiches (HS & MS) will also be pre-packaged
● Scanners, IDs, and Student accounts (ala carte), will all be used to ensure cashless and touchless payments.

Safety Protocols: COVID-19 Reporting

● Maintain a dedicated “Isolation Area”/“Care Room” for students/staff who exhibit COVID-like symptoms during day the school day.

● In the event that a school or district office has a case(s) of COVID-19, the district will notify Teaneck Township Health Officer: Dr. Gina Miranda-Diaz and will follow her direction for quarantining, cleaning, isolation or closure.

Safety Protocols: COVID-19 Closures
● When a “positive” case is reported, appropriate contact tracing will be

completed. Those in direct contact of the “positive individual”, will be quarantined based on their vaccination status and the current NJDOH Health Matrix. Potential closure recommendations may include:
– Closure of classroom

– Closure of multiple classes

– Closure of School Building(s)

– Suspension of bus route
● Per CDC & NJDOH guidelines, students and staff who are in direct contact with a COVID-positive individual will be required to quarantine based on

the NJDOH regional transmission rate at that time (Health Matrix), and return with confirmation of a negative COVID (PCR) test.
● All staff and students will deliver or receive virtual instruction for the length of their quarantine period.

Safety Protocols:

Visitors to Schools & District Office ● All visitors must have prior appointment and approval

from Building Principal / Head of Department being visited.
● All visitors must display government issued ID & process ID through visitor management system.
● All visitors will be required to wear a mask, complete health screening, and observe social-distancing protocols.
● Visitors requiring meetings in district will be recommended to meet virtually with school-based and district staff when possible.

NOTE: District Office is located at 651 Teaneck Road

SACC Program for Families

• SACC (before and after school care) will begin on Monday, September 27 at all elementary schools (new to program: Whittier, Lowell & Lacey); still evaluating middle schools pending enough staff to oversee the program;
• Job postings went up on July 20; Job fair was held on August 3; Staff hires on Aug. 25 & Sept. 1 Board agendas;
• SACC registration to begin Aug. 26; payments will be online/MySchoolBucks.

Moving Forward

• Principal/School Town Hall Meetings will be taking place on August 26th, 30th, & 31st (see website for more information)

• Superintendent will release several communications including Frequently Asked Questions Documents

• Superintendent will continue with weekly meetings with Town Manager and Town Health Officer
• Depending on status of viral spread the district could move back to hybrid and or full remote learning. The instructional model will be delivered in the following preferential order:
• Phase 1 - In person • Phase 2 - Hybrid
• Phase 3 - Full remote

QUESTIONS?