During the COVID-19 pandemic, when we think about being ready and flexible, we use the analogy of building three airplanes. One airplane is a fully in person school experience. Another is a full distance learning experience. The third is a hybrid: part in person, part distance learning. We know that we have to be ready to change airplanes at any moment.
We’ve started the year in a hybrid model.
The top priority in any plan for the fall must be the health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff. We’re learning from other countries, school leaders, the CDC, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and state and local leaders as we build our “airplanes.”
This fall is unlike any back-to-school opening we’ve experienced before. We’ve created a downloadable plan with the possible scenarios that can be implemented at any point in the school year based on health and safety. We’re starting with a hybrid model.
As you know, our plans are subject to change as the course of COVID-19 unfolds. We’ll be in constant communication with parents and we’ll keep this page updated. You should always feel free to reach out with questions. We have provided contact information on the last page.
Re-Opening Plan Fall 2020Head of School Tom Postema recorded three 5-7 minute videos to give an overview of the new school-wide policies and procedures due to the pandemic.
Part 1: Introduction
Part 2: Masks, Arrival, Health Screenings, Dismissal
Part 3: Illness, Food, Worship, What to do Now
We are closely monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic. As data and recommendations change, so too will our plans. We will continually update our website to reflect any changes. For more information about the stages of re-opening outlined by the State of NJ, click here.
We have modified the school program to limit the in-person interactions of students, faculty, and staff, while preserving the integrity of our program.
Preschool and Kindergarten
Preschool and Kindergarten are on-site every day.
First-Fourth Grades and 8th Grade
Fifth-Seventh Grades
If a family wishes to remain distance learning when school is on-site, they must seek permission from the school.
Children need time to play and move their bodies in a safe environment. We have made plans for outdoor play that do not involve use of common space at the park.
The school will increase utilization of software to support distance learning: Mathspace, Raz-Kids, Seesaw, Savvas, IXL, Google Classroom, Zoom, and Google Meets.
If you have further questions, contact Tom Postema, Head of School, [email protected]
Because we must be prepared for three different learning scenarios, we’re redesigning our multi-grade approach in grades two through eight to be a single grade model for the fall of 2020. Although a multi-grade approach has served students well for many years, it is best experienced when students and teachers can be physically together in the classroom. We believe that the single-grade model will better serve our students in an unpredictable environment. You can find more information in the FAQ below.
The top priority in any plan for the fall must be the health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff. We’re learning from other countries, school leaders, the CDC, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and state and local leaders as we build our “airplanes.”
Because of the current pandemic, we cannot know exactly what school will look like in the fall. To better serve your children in this environment, we’ve decided to redesign the multi-grade model as it stands today.
Here are a few of the many good reasons for this change:
The multi-grade approach has served our students and teachers well for several years. We value the academic learning and social diversity that our multi-grade practice facilitates. However, it is best implemented when teachers and students can teach and learn together in person. We hold out hope that as we find our new normal there may be classes or times for multi-grade groupings to happen informally next year. We especially hope that there may be times when the sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students can work in academic teams. At some point, it may make sense to implement other multi-grade opportunities. We’ll just have to see how the year unfolds.
We look forward to the day when it’s safe and appropriate to more fully implement multi-grade groupings again. We value the collaborative academic and social learning opportunities that our multigrade practice facilitates. At the same time, we hold our plans lightly, knowing that as we learn and grow together, we must be responsive to the academic and social-emotional needs of our students at any given moment.
While some students will have the same teacher because of the way that classes have been divided, other students will not have the same teacher. We imagine that this news might be especially hard for students who looked forward to looping with the same teacher next year. We will intentionally design ways for students to get to know their teachers and feel at home in this new model.
The homeroom teaching assignments for next year are as follows:
Also assisting with second and third grade will be Sam Martino, who will also add math to his teaching portfolio and Chris Gasca, who will add Spanish to his teaching portfolio. Mr. Gasca will work alongside Sra. Oro-Hahn. Heather Welesko will continue to teach literacy and assist in the classroom.
And of course, we have our academic specialists in art, PE, music, and Spanish who will continue to work with the classes.
Families will receive homeroom assignments for their students some time during the summer. This is when we always announce assignments.
This is the current plan and we believe that it is the best plan given what we know right now. We don’t expect it to change. However, we recognize that events and information are changing every day. We must be responsive and modify our program as it makes sense in the environment as it unfolds.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to Mr. Postema, Head of School; or any of our academic directors if you have questions or concerns.
Tom Postema, Head of School: [email protected]
Emily Sytsma, Early Childhood Director (PK-K): [email protected]
Shanna Pargellis, Lower School Director (Grades 1-3): [email protected]
Abby Hall Choi, Middle School Director (Grades 4-8): [email protected]