As a Matter of Fact!

SOMSD Newsletter | Vol 2. Issue 10 | February 5, 2021

Superintendent's Message

Hello SOMSD Community,

I hope that all is well and everyone has dug out of the winter storm. As we prepare to restart hybrid instruction I wanted to share some school Reopening Updates with the community.

Over the past two weeks, we have continued to collaborate and work with our SOMEA partners. As a result of our preparation for reopening and our continued efforts to address concerns raised by staff, teachers and parents have been notified of classroom reassignments or virtual assignments as necessary.

We are thankful for our teachers’ and SOMEA’s commitment to working with us toward creative and reasonable solutions that will best serve our students and families. In addition, our Principals, whose efforts over these last few weeks have been praiseworthy, continue to dialogue with teachers to address any additional concerns.

We know many parents have questions regarding when Phase 4 will begin. This upcoming week we will be meeting with our health officials, BOE, and administrators, and will provide an update to the community on the Phase 4 re-entry plan during the week of February 15.

Parents have also reached out to me regarding updates for change request for families wishing to move from a virtual to hybrid instruction: In light of our Phase 4 pause, our new change request date for families wishing to change from virtual to hybrid instruction is now Mon., February 22 (approval of any request is based on space capacity). Families must reach out to their building principals directly (click here for more information). Students approved for a ‘change request’ will begin their in-person learning beginning the week of March 8.

We are looking forward to seeing staff/students back in our buildings on Monday – be safe and well

Educationally yours,

Dr. Ronald G. Taylor

Superintendent of Schools

Please see below for revised dates to the instructional request changes for families who wish to change their preference from virtual to hybrid. Parent/guardian request for changes should follow the deadlines and request format below:

Monday, February 22, 2021: Parent/guardians must submit change requests to their building principals/administrators (you must provide your child's name, teacher, and ID #). Please note all requests are based on space capacity.
Starting the week of March 8: Students approved for a change request will begin hybrid instruction

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MESSAGE FROM SCHOOL NURSES: PROCEDURE FOR CONTACT TRACING IN THE SCHOOL SETTING

The SOMSD school nurses developed a chart to summarize the response to COVID+ activity in the school community and to provide clarification on school notification procedures.

When a SOMSD staff member or student tests positive for COVID-19, it is the responsibility of that staff member or the parent of the student to notify the principal who notifies the superintendent. The respective local Department of Health (DOH) – South Orange or Maplewood - will be notified immediately. The local DOH, who receives the actual lab report, conducts Contact Tracing. Based on the circumstances of each case, the local DOH provides the District with guidance as to the appropriate and timely notification of staff and families of a confirmed case while maintaining confidentiality.

Click here to view the "NOTIFICATION OF SCHOOL COMMUNITY PROCEDURE" document

All Return to School Updates & Resources

All updates and resources regarding the District's January 2021 return to in-person instruction.