We Stand in Solidarity With Our Asian-American and Pacific Islander Community
Dear Tuscan Family~
On September 25, 2020 the Tuscan Tidings Newsletter was launched with our commitment to educating children in a learning environment that respects and honors the dignity of all members of our community. As such our hearts continue to break from recurring incidents of intolerance, racism, hatred, and violence. We are deeply saddened over the sickening increase in anti-Asian racism, hate crimes and violence that have been rising across our country since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. As our school district communicated earlier this week, we stand in solidarity with our Asian-American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community of staff, students, families, and any group that has faced injustice and racism.
We are here to support you with resources for talking with your children about anti-Asian racism and violence.
Resources for Students:
We encourage members of our Tuscan family to reach out to our School Social Worker Ms. Buggy for information related to individual and group counseling services for students.
Resources for Parents and Teachers:
- Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers
- How to Talk to Your Kids About the Atlanta Shootings & #StopAsianHate
- After Atlanta: Teaching About Asian American Identity and History
- Stop Asian Hate Ebooks and Printable Resources
- How to Respond to Coronavirus Racism | Learning for Justice
- Teaching About Anti-Asian Racism and Xenophobia
- #StopAsianHate: Teaching Resources & Our Commitment to Anti-Racism — Pear Deck
Conversations about race and anti-racism are essential, impactful, can begin early and should be continued over time. We are continuously expanding our ROAR (Respect Others and Act Responsibly) Book in a Bag booklists to include age appropriate books for combating and standing up against discrimination, bias and racism in all forms. We remain deeply dedicated to teaching in ways to foster empathy, kindness and respect.
Once again, let us choose to believe that better and brighter days are ahead.
Please have a safe and enjoyable Spring Break!
~Ms. Majeed
The Final Opportunity To Submit a Virtual to Hybrid Change Request
IMPORTANT: Please note, regardless of the grade-levels that re-enter on April 19, the final opportunity for the school year for parents to make a virtual to hybrid change request for their child is today, March 25, 2021. In addition, a change request will always be subject to space capacity.
Any family approved for hybrid instruction for their child must electronically sign the District's COVID-19 Parent Agreement Letter of Compliance for each child attending in-person instruction. The agreement can only be accessed via the PowerSchool parent portal. If you need help accessing or have forgotten your login information, please email: parentportal@somsd.k12.nj.us.
To ensure the health and safety of students and staff, all district protocols highlighted in the Tuscan School Hybrid Reopening Guide Updated 03/12/21 must be strictly followed and should not be considered or interpreted as a matter of choice or convenience.
The link to the Tuscan Hybrid Return to School Preference Form can be found below in this edition of the Tuscan Tidings.
Tomorrow, Friday, March 25, 2021 by 2:00 pm, parents should be able to view their child’s updated cohort assignment via the PowerSchool Parent Portal. If you need help accessing or have forgotten your login information, please email: parentportal@somsd.k12.nj.us.
Reminder: Parent Agreement Letter of Compliance with COVID-19 Guidelines E-Signature Required
Any family who submitted a change request from virtual to hybrid instruction for their child by the stated deadline (and received approval confirmation from their building principal) must electronically sign the Parent Agreement Letter of Compliance for each child attending in-person instruction.
If you do not agree to comply with COVID-19 Guidelines and the agreement is not electronically signed prior to your child's return to school, they will not be allowed in the school buildings and must continue their instruction virtually.
The Parent Agreement Letter of Compliance with COVID-19 Guidelines must be completed utilizing the district’s PowerSchool Parent Portal. You must use a computer or a mobile device web browser to complete the form. The PowerSchool iOS and Android PowerSchool applications are not compatible with our online forms.
- Click here for more information: https://bit.ly/CO-19ParentAgreement
- You can also view the YouTube video for more details: Health & Safety Message: Parent COVID 19 Compliance Agreement E-Signature Due: https://youtu.be/Oeub4x3G_No
TUSCAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
The School District of South Orange and Maplewood
Email: ROARforTuscan@somsd.k12.nj.us
Website: www.somsd.k12.nj.us/tuscan/
Location: 25 Harvard Avenue, Maplewood, NJ, USA
Phone: 973-378-5221