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:
- We will continue to follow the half day release schedule
- Wednesdays will continue to be all virtual days
- Children who are participating in all virtual classes will not be impacted by this change.
- 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