IMPORTANT: 12:30 Dismissal Wednesday 3/11/2020; Letter from the Superintendent Re: CO-VID19

Please be advised there will be NO CASPER, NO YMCA, NO ENRICHMENT or any other after school programming. Please pick up your child promptly at 12:30

Dear Students, Staff, and Families,

By now, I am sure you are aware of the presence of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the world. Although there have been reported cases in the United States, as of this time, there is one confirmed case in our county. However, we want you to know that our district is actively engaged in preparing for any potential impact in our district.

Please know that we are following the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the New Jersey Department of Health, and the New Jersey Department of Education regarding guidelines for prevention. As every community is planning and preparing for the potential impact of COVID-19, I want to inform you of how Jersey City Public School District is staying informed and actively preparing for potential situations that could arise as a result of the virus. As a precautionary measure during the cold and flu season, we maintain an enhanced daily cleaning and sanitizing regimen at all of our schools. We are using an approved disinfecting/sanitizing process on all solid surfaces in our buildings each day. Further, the district encourages frequent hand washing for students and staff and continues to advise those who are ill to remain home. As recommended by the CDC, face masks are not a protective measure and are meant to be used for those who are ill or experiencing symptoms. Please do not send your child to school wearing a mask. If your child comes to school wearing a mask, we will assume they are ill and contact you to retrieve your child immediately.

We are in the process of making preparations for the possibility that a spread of the virus in the U.S. may impact school attendance, and/or require the closure of schools. Fortunately, with our technology infrastructure and competent teachers, we will provide a combination of educational packets and electronic learning opportunities in the event the New Jersey Department of Health or the Jersey City Department of Health recommends school closures.  If it becomes necessary to close we will share the information through our communication system Blackboard Connect, the district’s website at https://www.jcboe.org/, Facebook, Twitter, the district’s cable channel JCETV. Please make sure your child’s school has your current telephone number and email address. 

The Department of Health and Jersey City Public School District recommends that all families with a child who travels to an area of the world impacted by the Coronavirus, to please contact their child’s principal and/or school nurse prior to sending their child back to school. Please only notify the school district about your own child/children who have recently traveled to an area impacted by the Coronavirus. We cannot discuss the health concerns of other students due to confidentiality restrictions.

Perhaps the most important measures we can all take together are the everyday actions used to prevent the spread of any respiratory disease. These include the following:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

• Stay home when you are sick.

• Keep your children home when they are sick. (Children should not return to school unless they       have been fever-free without medication for 24 hours.)

• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. *If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty. For information about handwashing, see CDC’s Handwashing website: https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/index.html

The district is working closely with the appropriate authorities to ensure that we are following best practices and the most current recommendations regarding COVID-19. We will continue to update you as we get more information. In the event that the daily operations of our school are impacted in such a way that we need to close schools, communication with our families and community will be a priority.

With regard to the continuation of instruction and providing learning opportunities for students, we are currently developing our full contingency plan. We will have a 12:30 dismissal for students only this Wednesday, March 11, 2020, to initiate plans and coordinate with staff for satellite learning options. We may add an additional early dismissal for students in the near future to allow for continued planning in accordance with the Department of Education pandemic planning requirements. 

We encourage you to check the CDC website for reliable and up-to-date information for schools. https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/npao/strategies.htm

I appreciate your help in supporting the health of our students and our community.

Sincerely,

Franklin Walker