February 10, 2021

Dear Parents and Guardians:

I would like to begin by expressing my gratitude for your patience as we navigate through this unprecedented time. After gathering input from stakeholders and implementing safety precautions advised by the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH), we are prepared to increase the number of in-person days for our current hybrid students. The purpose of this letter is to clarify expectations and changes that will occur during this transition.  

 Students currently in the hybrid model will be expected to return to a four day in-person schedule since the current model will no longer be available. The four days will include Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8:15am-3:05pm. Wednesday will remain a virtual half day for all students. Second grade will begin on Friday, February 12th, whereas Kindergarten and 1st Grade will begin on Monday, February 22nd.   

 According to Policy #1648, students who are all virtual at this time, must remain so until the start of the third trimester on March 22, 2021.  The district will be hiring two additional all-virtual teachers to accommodate the Kindergarten and 1st Grade virtual students.  The virtual students will be transitioning into one class to enhance their educational experience.  Please refer to the attached notice for additional information for Kindergarten and 1st Grade virtual learning changes effective Thursday, February 25, 2021.

 When a student’s grade level transitions to four days of in-person instruction, the attendance parameters will change. Students will no longer have the option to join their class virtually, unless they are quarantining due to a COVID-19 related reason.  If a COVID-19 issue arises, it is imperative that the school nurse be notified in order for virtual instruction to be accommodated.  If a student does not attend school for a reason not related to COVID-19, they will be marked absent for the school day.

 As the safety of our staff and students remains our priority, we will continue to implement best practices to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 within our school.  All staff and students will continue to wear masks throughout the day.  In addition, plastic guards have been fastened to all desks and cafeteria tables. Our sanitation methods remain in alignment with the NJDOH guidelines and we will stay abreast of any additional recommendations published. 

 As a school community, we are eager to elevate the educational experience for all of our students. Your partnership and support has aided in our ability to take this step forward. Please continue to stay informed on all district decisions moving forward by tuning into Dr. McCooley’s weekly updates and reading all correspondence sent out by the district. 

Respectfully,

Mrs. Deniese M. Guinan

George J. Mitchell School Principal

Notice for Virtual Students  

RE: Classroom changes for all virtual students in Kindergarten and 1^st Grade. 

Effective Thursday, February 25, 2021

• Current, all virtual students will transition to an all virtual teacher starting on Thursday, February 25, 2021. The class will be comprised of the students who are 100% virtual at this time. There will be one virtual class for Kindergarten and one virtual class for 1^st
• Virtual students will continue to receive virtual instruction from their current teacher until Thursday, February 25, 2021.
• The virtual teacher will provide four hours of live instruction, which meets the requirement for a full school day. The live instruction will occur Monday through Friday from 8:15am-12:15pm.
• Prior to the transition, parents will receive detailed information and an introduction to their child’s virtual teacher. This information will be provided on Monday, February 22, 2021.
• The virtual teacher will host a meet and greet with the students prior to the first day of instruction. The meeting date and time will be provided to you on February 22, 2021
• Virtual students who return to in-person instruction on March 22^nd will return to their original homeroom.